Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Prevention and control of avian influenza: the need for a paradigm shift in pandemic influenza preparedness.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary record
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Martinot, A et al.
- Affiliation:
- School of Public Health · United States
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a serious concern for countries preparing for potential pandemics. Many poorer countries struggle to stockpile necessary medications or vaccines for humans, which makes it important to focus on controlling the disease at its source in birds. Improving veterinary services in these countries can help prevent the spread of avian influenza, which ultimately protects both animal and human health globally. The authors suggest that health leaders should adopt broader strategies that include monitoring animal health and enhancing veterinary resources as part of their pandemic plans. They believe this shift in thinking is essential for preventing future outbreaks before they start.
Abstract
Avian influenza presents both challenges and opportunities to leaders around the world engaged in pandemic influenza preparedness planning. Most resource-poor countries will be unable to stockpile antivirals or have access to eventual human vaccines for pandemic flu. Preparedness plans, directed at controlling avian influenza at the source, enable countries simultaneously to promote national and global health, animal welfare and international development. Improving the veterinary infrastructure and capacity of resource-poor countries is one way to prevent potential pandemic flu deaths in resource-rich countries. In this article, Amanda Martinot, James Thomas, Alejandro Thiermann and Nabarun Dasgupta argue that national health leaders need to consider more comprehensive strategies that incorporate veterinary surveillance and improvements in veterinary infrastructure for the control of avian influenza epizootics as part of national pandemic preparedness planning. This, they argue, will require a shift in attitude, from thinking in terms of preparation for an inevitable pandemic to pre-emption of the potential pandemic through prevention measures in the animal population.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17351179/