Is the bird flu the next SARS?

We shudder at the mere thought that bird (avian) flu could be the next SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), as some health experts bleakly predict.

Just when Asia was recovering from the scourge of SARS, along flew in another dreaded (but fear not, there’s been no human-to-human transmission so far) disease: Bird flu. Talk about fowl play.

To date, bird flu has killed millions of chickens in South Korea, Vietnam and Japan, where mass slaughters of infected poultry have been ordered to contain the outbreak.

Until 1997, influenza A (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, only infected birds, including chickens and ducks. In 1997, human cases were reported in Hong Kong, where the outbreak led to six deaths.

Medical reports indicate that bird flu only infects people who have had close contact with diseased birds and their droppings. Most at risk are people who spend time in wet markets, restaurants or farms and come into contact with poultry and even pigs.

In South Korea, consumers have stricken chicken and duck off their dining tables despite exhortations from government officials who are shown on TV eating chicken dishes. This time, chicken soup could not soothe troubled souls.

Bird flu symptoms are much like most other flu (or SARS) symptoms: Sore throat, cough and fever, and eventual pneumonia.

According to the World Health Organization, there’s been no evidence of human-to-human transmission so far. No bird flu vaccine is available as yet. Cooking at a temperature above 65°C kills the virus.

Scary stories about bird flu are certainly flying high and low. To ease passenger concerns, Cathay Pacific has asked its caterers in Vietnam, Korea, Japan and Taiwan to substitute all chicken dishes with pork or fish. CX assures passengers that all chicken dishes served in flight are cooked according to the most stringent guidelines and procedures.

But for those planning a trip this summer, read on. Forget about SARS or the Ebola virus. According to health experts, this year’s most common travel diseases are: Diarrhea, Hepatitis A, Hepa B, Japanese encephalitis (which affects the central nervous system), malaria, meningitis, tetanus (which affects the nervous system), typhoid fever (bacterial infection of the intestinal tract), yellow fever (a mosquito-borne viral disease).

A safe and happy trip to all ye travellers!

* * *

These letters were snail-mailed to us:

Dear Consumerline,

My heart bled when I read the story of Kevin, as written by his mother Ditas Rodriguez-Martelino (Health & Family, Oct. 21). My own son, the youngest in a brood of three, has the same disorder (AD/HD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). I suffer the same agonizing feelings as Mrs. Martelino, but my profession (I’m a nurse) has helped me a lot in coping with difficult situations. Imagine, my two other kids – a son and a daughter – excelling in school while my youngest is having a hard time with his studies. Like Kevin,, he has difficulty adjusting to his class schedule. His teachers have frequently called me because of his unusual actions in class. Often, I have to go to his school and bring him home to pacify his heightened passion. At times, even his father and two siblings could not understand him.

As a mother, I have not stopped praying. I always hug him and never stop saying how much I love him. I encourage and inspire him to go on. Through my unceasing prayers and sustained support, my son is now in first year in a private high school. And surprisingly, he is showing improvement in his class standing. Indeed, children with AD/HD should be well taken care of by a concerned and nurturing mother – or just what Mrs. Martelino has done for Kevin. Evidently, my Ronn Samuel is continuously striving and I strongly believe that with divine providence, he can fulfill his dreams.

– ester carlos

Echague, Isabela

* * *

Dear Consumerline,

With great interest and admiration, I read the piece of Ms. Anastacia Lim (Health & Family, Jan. 20).

Since Miss Lim is undoubtedly very talented and appears to have a vast store of knowledge that she might want to share with others, on behalf of my colleagues, may I invite her to join our newly formed Senior Citizens’ Advisory & Advocacy Group, a think tank that aims to harness the treasure chest of wisdom, experience and know-how of those who have gone beyond the arbitrarily set, legal bio-chronological boundary – 60 years?

I am certain Miss Lim will find our group a stimulating, goal-oriented company where her talents may find meaningful expression. And she’ll be our very first – and therefore, most cherished – female member. Our contact numbers are 726-4976, 0919-4298892 and 0916-9227004.

– ramon alfonso fuentes

Cubao, Quezon City