What is Bird flu (avian influenza)?
Bird Flu, also known as avian influenza, is a contagious viral infection that affects birds, from chickens to wild birds. It is caused by a group of influenza viruses that can mutate, causing serious health concerns for both birds and humans. There are two types of bird flu, highly pathogenic (HPAI) and low pathogenic (LPAI). HPAI can cause severe illness and death in poultry flocks, while LPAI usually causes only mild symptoms or no symptoms in poultry.
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| Bird flu (avian influenza) |
Medical terms
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is an infectious disease of birds caused by a type of influenza virus. It can cause a range of health issues in birds, from mild illnesses to death. While avian influenza does not generally spread to humans, there are cases in which it has, posing a risk of global pandemics. The World Health Organization, or WHO, works diligently to monitor the spread of avian influenza and provide guidance on the proper steps to prevent and control its spread.
Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is an infectious disease caused by various strains of influenza viruses. This virus primarily affects birds and can be spread to humans through direct contact with infected birds. Bird flu has become an increasing concern in recent years due to its highly contagious nature and its potential to become a global pandemic. It is important to be aware of the symptoms and take steps to frequently wash your hands and avoid contact with wild birds or poultry when possible.
Symptoms Bird flu (avian influenza)
Signs and signs and symptoms of chook flu may also start inside seven days of contamination, relying on the kind. In maximum cases, they resemble the ones of conventional influenza, inclusive of:
Cough
Fever
Sore throat
Muscle aches
Headache
Shortness of breath
Some humans also revel in nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. And in a few instances, a slight eye contamination (conjunctivitis) is the simplest indication of the disease.
When to peer a medical doctor
See your medical doctor right now if you develop a fever, cough and frame aches and have lately traveled to a part of the world where fowl flu happens. Be sure to allow your medical doctor to recognise you in case you visited any farms or open-air markets.
Types of avian influenza A virus
Avian Influenza A viruses are highly contagious and pose a significant threat to public health. These viruses can be divided into two categories: low and high pathogenicity. Low pathogenicity strains cause mild symptoms in birds, while high pathogenicity strains can lead to severe illness and death. Examples of avian influenza A virus strains include A/H5N1, A/H7N9, and A/H10N8.
Avian influenza A viruses are highly diverse, and can be classified into several different subtypes based on the type of haemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) proteins found on their surface. The most common of these subtypes are the H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2 viruses, which have caused serious outbreaks in poultry and humans. However, there are also other less well-known subtypes, such as H10N8 and H6N1, which have been identified in both poultry and wild birds. In addition, new subtypes such as HPAI-H5N8 have recently been identified in Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Avian influenza A viruses (AIV) are a diverse group of viruses that infect wild and domestic birds, including chickens, ducks, turkeys, and pheasants. These viruses have been classified into 16 different subtypes based on the combination of their hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) proteins. AIVs are further broken down into clades, or distinct lineages, which can be defined by the geographic region, host species, and time frame of the outbreak. Examples of AIV strains include H5N1, H7N9, H5N2 and H6N1.
Avian influenza A virus strains (HV A) are the most common strains of avian influenza, affecting both wild and domestic birds. They can be categorized into two distinct groups: low- and high-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI and HPAI). LPAI viruses generally cause mild symptoms in infected birds, often only causing minor decreases in egg production or weight loss, while HPAI can cause severe disease and death in some bird species. In addition, some avian influenza viruses can be mutated to become highly pathogenic if they acquire certain genes.
Examples of avian influenza A virus strains:
Causes Bird flu (avian influenza)
Bird flu occurs clearly in wild waterfowl and can spread into home poultry, consisting of chickens, turkeys, ducks and ducks. The disease is transmitted through touch with an inflamed fowl's feces, or secretions from its nostril, mouth or eyes.
Open-air markets, where eggs and birds are offered in crowded and unsanitary conditions, are hotbeds of contamination and can unfold the disorder into the broader community.
Undercooked chicken meat or eggs from infected birds can transmit chicken flu. Poultry meat is safe to eat if it's been cooked to an internal temperature of one hundred sixty five F (74 C). Eggs should be cooked till the yolks and whites are company.
Risk Bird flu (avian influenza)
The greatest hazard component for bird flu seems to be touch with unwell birds or with surfaces contaminated by means of their feathers, saliva or droppings. The pattern of human transmission remains mysterious. In only a few instances, chook flu has been transmitted from one human to another. But until the virus starts to unfold extra effortlessly amongst people, infected birds present the greatest danger.
Complications Bird flu (avian influenza)
People with hen flu may additionally develop lifestyles-threatening complications, consisting of:
Pneumonia
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Respiratory failure
Kidney disorder
Heart issues
Although chicken flu may kill greater than half the human beings it infects, the variety of fatalities continues to be low because so few people have had hen flu. Fewer than 500 hen flu deaths had been mentioned to the World Health Organization due to the fact 1997.
In contrast, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that seasonal influenza is liable for hundreds of deaths each 12 months inside the United States alone.
Prevention Bird flu (avian influenza)
Bird flu vaccine
The Food and Drug Administration has authorized one vaccine to prevent infection with one pressure of H5N1 fowl flu virus. This vaccine isn't always available to the general public, but the U.S. Authorities are stockpiling it and could distribute it within the event of a pandemic.
This vaccine could be used early in such a deadly disease to provide restricted safety until every other vaccine — designed to defend against the precise shape of the virus causing the outbreak — is evolved and produced. Researchers retain paintings on other sorts of hen flu vaccines.
Recommendations for vacationers
If you are traveling to Southeast Asia or to any area with bird flu outbreaks, consider these public health suggestions:
Avoid domesticated birds. If viable, keep away from rural regions, small farms and open-air markets.
Wash your fingers. This is one of the best and pleasant methods to save you infections of all kinds. Use an alcohol-primarily based hand sanitizer containing as a minimum 60 percent alcohol when you travel.
Ask approximately for a flu shot. Before traveling, ask your medical doctor about a flu shot. It may not guard you especially from bird flu, however it may help lessen the danger of simultaneous contamination with chook and human flu viruses.
Poultry and egg merchandise
Because warmth destroys avian viruses, cooked roosters are not a fitness hazard. Even so, it is great to take precautions while dealing with and getting ready fowl, which can be contaminated with salmonella or different harmful bacteria.
Avoid move-contamination. Use warm, soapy water to scrub cutting boards, utensils and all surfaces that have come into touch with raw chicken.
Cook thoroughly. Cook until the juices run clean, and it reaches a minimum internal temperature of one hundred sixty five F (74 C).
Steer clear of raw eggs. Because eggshells are often contaminated with chicken droppings, keep away from foods containing uncooked or undercooked eggs.
How can it infect a human being?
Bird flu is an infectious disease caused by a type of influenza virus that primarily affects birds, but can also sometimes infect humans. It is capable of spreading through direct contact with infected birds, as well as through contact with bird droppings and contaminated surfaces. People who come into contact with an infected bird are at risk of becoming ill with bird flu, which can range from milder symptoms such as fever and sore throat to more severe conditions like pneumonia and hospitalization. Additionally, bird flu can be spread from person to person, although this is less common..
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a type of influenza that is endemic in certain types of birds. It can be spread from bird to bird, and the virus has been known to mutate in a way that could pass from birds to humans. It is a highly contagious virus, and it is important for people to be aware of the risks that come with handling birds or being around them. The virus can cause severe respiratory illness, and without proper treatment it can be fatal.
Diagnosis Bird flu (avian influenza)
Laboratory checks
Samples of fluids from your nostril or throat can be tested for evidence of chook flu virus. These samples ought to be taken within the first few days after symptoms appear.
Imaging exams
X-rays can be beneficial in assessing the situation of your lungs, that could assist in determining the proper analysis and the pleasant remedy alternatives on your signs and symptoms.
Treatment Bird flu (avian influenza)
Many influenza viruses have become immune to the results of a class of antiviral pills that consists of amantadine and rimantadine (Flumadine). Health officials suggest the usage of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or, if oseltamivir cannot be used, zanamivir (Relenza). These drugs must be taken inside days after the appearance of signs.
Preparing for your appointment
If you believe you studied that you have bird flu, you want to look at your primary care health practitioner. Let people recognize you could have the flu, and ask for surgical masks to put on at some stage in your visit. If you are very sick, you may want to be hospitalized.
What you could do
Symptom history. Write down any signs you've been experiencing and for the way lengthy.
Recent publicity to possible resources of contamination. Be positive to describe any worldwide trips, in particular to regions wherein bird flu is standard.
Medical history. Make a list of your key scientific records, which includes other conditions for that you're being dealt with and any medicines, nutrients or supplements you're presently taking.
Questions to invite your physician. Write down your questions in advance so you can make the maximum of some time with your health practitioner.
For chicken flu, some simple inquiries to ask your doctor encompass:
What's the most probable motive for my signs?
Will I want any assessments?
What's the first-rate treatment method? Are there any alternatives?
Will I want to take medication?
What can I do at home to assist ease my signs and symptoms?
What to assume from your medical doctor
Your doctor will want to understand positive information about your contamination to make an analysis. Be prepared to reply questions inclusive of:
When did you begin feeling sick?
Have you had a fever? If so, how high has it gotten?
Have you had any close contact with birds currently?
Have you traveled overseas these days? If so, in which did you pass?
General summary
Bird flu is an infectious illness that is caused by avian influenza viruses. These viruses are found in wild birds and can be transmitted to domesticated poultry, such as chickens and turkeys, which can then infect humans. There are various strains of avian influenza viruses, with some being more severe than others. In addition to being able to infect humans, bird flu can also spread to other animals.
Bird flu, otherwise known as avian influenza, is a type of infectious disease caused by a strain of the influenza virus. It is most commonly found in birds, but it can affect humans as well. It is highly contagious, and can be spread through contact with infected birds or their droppings. Symptoms in humans range from mild to severe and can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, and fatigue.
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a virus that primarily affects birds. It can, however, spread to humans and other animals, causing severe respiratory illness. The main symptoms of bird flu in humans include fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. In more severe cases, bird flu can lead to severe pneumonia and even death.