Bird flu killed 103 persons in 2.5 years of existence

Although the bird flu did not hit Moldova until now, the authorities take special measures against this disease. The state veterinary chief doctor of Chisinau, Radu Mudreac, has stated to Info-Prim Neo that a media campaign was launched in the Moldovan capital aimed to warn the population about bird flu problem. In particular, Mudreac noted, Moldovan specialists verify suspected dead birds, discuss with population from rural regions regarding the situation of households. Starting Thursday, specialists hold seminars to teach residents of localities which are part of the Chisinau municipality how to prevent an infection with bird flu virus. Mudreac reiterated that the avian influenza was not registered in Moldova. The avian influenza has killed 103 people in 2.5 years of existence, mostly from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Cambodia and Turkey. According to the World Health Organisation, 184 persons from six states have caught the H5N1 virus. H5N1 is particularly transmitted through breathing, inhalation of dust from excrements, as well as through eyes or touching of face with hands that touched first infected birds. The birds of passage took the bird flu virus in Europe and it affected first Russia, Turkey and Romania. Latest cases were recorded in Israel and Palestine. The bird flu was identified for the first time in Hong Kong in 2003. The presence of H5N1 virus was confirmed in 45 countries.