In early December 2005, Ukraine reported that H5N1 was found in domesticated birds. And just yesterday the US Embassy in Ukraine emailed out a Warden Message on H5N1. It has turned up in wild birds this time in Kherson.
The WHO is very worried about cases of human illness (linked to H5N1) in Indonesia. It looks like human transmittion of the virus may be happening there.
Why you should care about this:
- Influenza pandemics are recurring events.
- The world may be on the brink of another pandemic.
- All countries will be affected.
- Widespread illness will occur.
- Medical supplies will be inadequate.
- Large numbers of deaths will occur.
- Economic and social disruption will be great.
From: Deadly flu cluster worries WHO
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Here is what the US Embassy in Ukraine had to say about the Kherson outbreak.
On May 16, 2006, the Government of Ukraine confirmed an outbreak of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in a wild waterfowl colony on an island in Lake Sivash in Kherson Oblast. The island is near a popular boating and tourist destination. No human cases of avian influenza have been detected anywhere in Ukraine.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises travelers to countries with documented H5N1 outbreaks to avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces or fluids from poultry or other animals. The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens in Ukraine that information about avian influenza ("avian flu," "bird flu," "chicken flu"), including suggested precautions, is available in the U.S. Department of State’s “Avian Flu Fact Sheet” at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html. This website includes links to avian influenza information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Adoptive parents traveling to Ukraine have enough to worry about. I would suggest avoiding duck ponds, chickens and any meat markets.
And I
highly recommend families purchase Travel Health Insurance.