The food agency of the United Nations, FAO, has advised that animal health control methods should be stepped up as soon as possible.
After cases of infecting pigs and humans, this is the first instance of the virus entering turkeys. But Chile has said that this is not a dangerous situation and does not pose a public threat.
H1N1 in turkeys not an immediate threat to humans
FAO has released a statement saying, “The detection of an H1N1 virus in turkeys in Chile raises concern that poultry farms elsewhere in the world could also become infected with the pandemic flu virus currently circulating in humans.”
The FAO revealed that the current strain of H1N1 virus is no more fatal than the prevalent seasonal flu viruses. However, the virus strain could become potentially hazardous if it combines with H5N1, also called bird flu, and this could be far more dangerous.
“In south-east Asia where there is a lot of the virus circulating in poultry, the introduction of H1N1 in these populations would be of a greater concern,” said FAO’s interim Chief Veterinary Officer Juan Lubroth.
Turkey meat safe to eat
Chile’s decision of not killing the infected birds has drawn appreciation from the FAO. The FAO has also said that the H1N1 virus found in turkeys is not a cause of much worry as it would not do any immediate harm to humans.
After requisite veterinary check-up and hygienic processing, the turkey meat can be sold, the FAO added.
FAO issues directives to developing countries
Developing countries have been asked by the FAO to improve the standard of their veterinary health procedures and disease monitoring systems. These countries should make sure that clean and good farming directives are followed.
H1N1 was declared a full-scale pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in June. At present, the virus is plaguing 180 countries. It has taken lives of at least 1,799 people and as per the WHO, the pandemic is unstoppable at present.
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