Saudi Arabia culled around 158,000 chickens after the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain was found at an infected farm. According to a statement issued by the Agriculture ministry of Saudi Arabia, birds were killed in Kharaj province, which falls in the southern part of the capital, Riyadh. No flu infection was reported among humans, as about 475 workers were tested for flu infection. The ministry also added that more than 4.5 million fowls were culled in provinces around the capital, Riyadh. Bird flu infection resurfaced in November in Kharaj province. This has resulted in great loss to Saudi Arabia’'s $10 billion poultry industry.



H5N1 virus

The H5N1 virus does not easily spread among people. However, its strains can infect humans. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), H5N1 virus has infected more than 340 people and killed at least 216 since its first outbreak in 2003, mostly in Asia. Most of the people were infected through close contact with sick poultry. People can take Tamiflu medication for treatment and prevention of flu infection, as the WHO has also approved this drug in case of flu pandemic.

Brief description

Poultry culled in Saudi Arabia after bird flu infection was found.

Dosage of Tamiflu

Each Tamiflu capsule (white and light yellow) contains 75mg of active drug and should be taken by mouth. You should take Tamiflu twice daily (once in the morning and once in the evening) for five days for the treatment of influenza. You should take Tamiflu for 10 days, once a day, for the prevention of influenza. A doctor should determine the dosage for children.

You can take Tamiflu with or without food. If you take it with a light snack, milk, or with your meals, the probability of stomach upset reduces. Please notice that it is strongly advisable that you complete the entire treatment (take all the ten capsules) even if you feel better. Tamiflu belongs to a group of medicines called neuraminidase inhibitors. These types of medications attack influenza virus and prevent it from spreading inside your body. Tamiflu does not conceal the symptoms as some medications, but it attacks the flu at its source by attacking the virus that caused the flu in the first place. Tamiflu works against both influenza viruses A and B.