Can bird flu be prevented？

　　　　A few days ago, experts from the Guangdong Provincial Animal Epidemic Prevention Supervision Office and the Provincial Poultry Science Research Institute introduced relevant knowledge on how to prevent bird flu and other issues of public concern.
　　Avian influenza is divided into three categories.
　　　　Experts say that avian influenza, referred to as avian influenza for short, is an infectious disease of poultry caused by influenza A virus, which mainly occurs in chickens, ducks, geese and pigeons. Avian influenza virus strains in the feces of sick birds will spread in the air. According to the types of pathogens, avian influenza can be divided into three categories: high pathogenicity, low pathogenicity and non-pathogenicity. Highly pathogenic avian influenza is classified as a class A animal disease by the World Health Organization because of its rapid spread and great harm, and it is classified as a class of animal disease in China.
　　What’s the difference between avian influenza and human influenza?
　　　　Influenza is generally divided into three types: type A, type B and type C.. Types B and C are generally spread only among people and rarely spread to other animals. While influenza A mainly spreads in poultry, it can be said that influenza A is avian influenza.
　　How does bird flu spread to humans?
　　　　Although people have been found to be infected in Thailand and Vietnam, from the current situation, people infected with avian influenza are mainly those who have direct contact with sick birds. If humans don’t touch sick birds, it should be said that there is little possibility of contracting bird flu. Although since August 1997, there have been reports of people dying from bird flu, so far only cases of bird flu transmitted to people through poultry have been found, and no case of bird flu transmitted from person to person has been found.
　　Eggs and poultry meat can be eaten safely when cooked.
　　　　Avian influenza virus is sensitive to organic solvents such as ether, chloroform and acetone, heat and ultraviolet rays. Heating at 56℃ for 30 minutes, heating at 60℃ for 10 minutes, heating at 70℃ for several minutes, direct sunlight for 40 to 48 hours and commonly used disinfectants can inactivate the virus. Therefore, after the poultry meat and eggs are cooked thoroughly, there is almost no possibility of virus transmission, and the public will not be infected with bird flu if they eat this food.
　　Will you be infected if you buy a live bird to go home?
　　　　A prerequisite for the infection of secretions released by contact with sick birds is the high concentration of virus in the environment, which is usually in areas with high concentration of sick birds such as poultry farms. It is basically safe to buy a live chicken in the market. Even if there is a virus, its concentration in the air is low and it is often not easy to spread.
　　How do ordinary people prevent bird flu?
　　　　How can ordinary people prevent bird flu? Experts suggest the following four points: 1. Stay away from the secretions of poultry and try to avoid contact with live chickens, ducks and other poultry and birds. 2. To keep the indoor air circulating, you should open the window for air twice a day for at least 10 minutes each time. 3. Keep the floor, ceiling, furniture and walls clean; Ensure that the drainage channel drains smoothly; Use washable floor mats. 4. Eat poultry thoroughly.
　　(South)
　　　　Excerpt from: South China News (first edition on February 2, 2004)