Bird flu - How can we stop the spread?

Breaking it down, here is everything you need to know about the bird flu outbreak.

Avian flu, or bird flu as it’s more commonly known, is a viral infection that spreads among birds. In rare cases, it can spread to humans through direct contact with infected birds. There are many different types of bird flu. Most of these are harmless to people, but two variations have caused anxiety over recent years. In 2013, H5N1 infected more than 600 people globally and killed over 350, while H7N9 infected more than 130 people and killed over 40.

The alarm has been raised once again this winter. A case of bird flu was confirmed at a duck breeding farm located in East Yorkshire. Around 6,000 birds were culled to help contain the outbreak and a six-mile exclusion zone was set up. This was the first case of bird flu in the UK since 2008, when poultry on a farm in Oxfordshire tested positive for the virus.

The East Yorkshire outbreak was picked up after egg production at the farm declined and duck fatality rates increased.

Risk to public health low

In a statement to the public, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that the risk to public health was low. Meanwhile, during a meeting in Brussels, officials from the UK suggested that the case is likely to be linked to outbreaks in the Netherlands and Germany. They also stated that migratory birds heading south for the winter may be responsible.

How to prevent the spread of bird flu

Hygiene is absolutely essential when there’s a heightened risk of infection. Use an effective disposable wipe to maintain good hygiene practices and reduce the risk of cross-contamination. PDI Sani-Cloth Universal Wipes are made with quaternary ammonium and can kill a broad spectrum of potentially infectious agents including enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. 

Universal wipes are used in healthcare, medical, nursing, and commercial settings of all kinds as an efficient way to keep surfaces and non-invasive tools clean and germ-free.