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Palau workers, BNH cases negative for avian influenza
Confirmatory test results of samples taken from PMA farm workers and patients at the Belau National Hospital have returned negative for avian influenza (bird flu). The results were received by the Ministry of Health on April 5, 2014, from a reference lab in Hawaii; however, further testing on samples taken from the dead chickens will be conducted in the U.S. mainland.
While results are awaited and investigation continues to determine the birds’ possible causes of death, the public is urged to refrain from using and consuming PMA poultry products until investigations have concluded.
Furthermore, as seasonal flu cases remain high, the public is also reminded to continue practicing hygienic habits, including proper hand-washing and coughing etiquettes to minimize the spread of the flu.
Additional updates will be provided as soon as they are available.
This advisory arises from an incident that occurred in Palau on Monday, March 31, 2014, when over 300 chickens were reportedly dying off at a local poultry farm in Airai. A response team composed of members from the Ministry of Health, Bureau of Public Safety, Bureau of Agriculture, Koror State Veterinary, and the U.S. Civic Action Team was deployed to investigate and quarantine the farm. Several poultry workers had complained of flu-like symptoms and samples were collected from the workers as well as from the dead birds for influenza testing.
The samples from the farm workers as well as a few collected from flu patients at the Belau National Hospital were sent off to a reference lab in Hawaii for confirmatory avian influenza (bird flu) testing. Meanwhile, investigation continued locally for other possible causes of deaths of the birds.
At the moment as the press release states, all human samples sent have tested negative for avian influenza and results of confirmatory testing of the dead bird samples are being awaited from a USDA lab in Iowa. The public has been advised to refrain from consumption and use of poultry products from the affected farm until investigations have concluded. (PR)
