BIRD FLU: WORRIED OR NOT

BIRD FLU: WORRIED OR NOT

BRIEF INTRO

ALSO KNOWN AS AVIAN INFLUENZA OR FLU

It is deadly to most birds. And it is deadly to humans and to other mammals that catch the virus from birds. Since the first human case in 1997, H5N1 has killed nearly 60 per cent of the people who have been infected. Migrating water fowl -- most notably wild ducks -- are the natural carriers of
bird flu viruses. It's suspected that infection can spread from wild fowl to domestic poultry. Bird flu effect on humans and how does it spread Farmer Protest: What did Agricultural minister say on the 7th round of talks One India News People catch bird flu by close contact with birds or bird droppings. Some people have caught H5N1 from cleaning or plucking infected birds. In China, there have been reports of infection via inhalation of aerosolized materials in live bird markets. It's also possible that some people were infected after swimming or bathing in water contaminated with the droppings of infected birds. Notably, people don't catch the virus from eating fully cooked chicken or eggs. Unlike human flu bugs, H5N1 bird flu does not spread easily from person to person. The very few cases of human-to-human transmission have been among people with exceptionally close contact. In Indonesia in 2006, bird flu spread to eight members of one family. Seven of them died. It's not clear exactly how this happened. Family members likely had similar contacts with infected birds. They may also have shared genes that made them particularly susceptible to the virus. However, casual contact does not seem to be involved.

HISTORY

The virus was first detected in 1996 in geese in China. Asian H5N1 was first detected in humans in 1997 during a poultry outbreak in Hong Kong and has since been detected in poultry and wild birds in more than 50 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

BIRD FLU: WORRIED OR NOT

SYMPTOMS

The first sign of human infection with H7N9 is a high fever and a cough. The virus causes serious respiratory symptoms, including severe pneumonia. This can be fatal.

Sudden changes in the virus proteins take the human immune system by surprise. This is why a new variant causes more serious illness. The human’s immune system has not met it before, so there is no immunity.

Avian Flu Symptoms for Birds

• Sudden death without any signs.
• Lack of coordination.
• Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs.
• Soft-shelled or misshapen eggs.
• Lack of energy and appetite.
• Diarrhoea.
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles and hocks.
• Nasal discharge.

Avian Flu Symptoms for humans

• cough
• diarrhoea
• respiratory difficulties
• fever (over 100.4°F or 38°C)
• headache
• muscle aches
• malaise
• runny nose
• sore throat

 BIRD FLU: WORRIED OR NOT

TYPES

The disease in birds has two forms. The first causes mild
illness, sometimes expressed only as ruffled feathers or reduced egg production. Of greater concern is the second form, known as “highly pathogenic avian influenza”. This form is highly infectious in birds and is rapidly fatal, with a mortality approaching 100%. Birds can die on the same day that symptoms first appear.

BIRD FLU PREVENTION

·      In humans

1.      wash your hands often with warm water and soap, especially before and after handling food, in particular raw poultry.

2.  use different utensils for cooked and raw meat.

3.  make sure meat is cooked until steaming hot.

4.  avoid contact with live birds and poultry.

·      In birds

However, bird flu can be prevented by avoiding contact with sick poultry originating in countries known to be affected by the virus. Prevention also includes poultry-safety measures such as destroying flocks when sick birds are identified and vaccinating healthy flocks.

BIRD FLU: WORRIED OR NOT

CURE

In 2007, the FDA licensed the first vaccine in the U.S. for humans against the highly pathogenic bird flu virus. The vaccine is made from inactivated viruses and does not contain any live viruses. It has been shown to stimulate the immune system to make antibodies against the bird flu virus that could presumably protect a person from the bird flu. The vaccine

has been purchased by the federal government for inclusion within the CDC's Strategic National Stockpile. It is not available to the general public in part because the United States does not currently have a problem with the highly pathogenic strain of bird flu. Vaccine side effects include a sore arm, fatigue, or temporary muscle aches. The vaccine has not been tested in large numbers of patients, however, and there may be other side effects that have not yet been detected. The current vaccine is effective against the strain that has caused the large outbreaks of bird flu, but it may not be as effective against a newly mutated strain found in 2011. Consequently, this vaccine seems unlikely to offer protection against the new H7N9 bird flu, but data is not available to date.

BIRD FLU: WORRIED OR NOT

FAQ

Where can people find more information about bird flu?

The World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/) and (http://www.who.int/influenza/human_animal_interface/avian_influenza/en/) provides current information about outbreaks and management of bird flu.

How can I avoid getting the flu?

The best way to avoid getting the flu is to get the flu vaccine every year. Influenza viruses evolve constantly, and twice a year WHO makes recommendations to update the vaccine compositions. For the 2016-2017 northern hemisphere influenza season, the vaccine formulation was updated in February 2016 to contain two type A viruses (H1N1 and H3N2), and a type B virus.

WHO recommends annual vaccination for high-risk groups including health care workers. People should ideally get vaccinated just before the influenza season begins for the most effective coverage, although getting vaccinated at any time during the influenza season can still help prevent flu infections

Who is most at risk?

People most at risk for severe seasonal influenza are:

pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy

children younger than 5 years

people older than 65 years

people with chronic medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, asthma, heart and lung diseases and diabetes

people with increased risk of exposure to influenza, which includes health care workers.

How do you stop it from spreading?

Influenza can spread quickly between people when an infected person coughs or sneezes, dispersing droplets of the virus into the air. It can be also spread by hands contaminated by the virus.

Precautionary measures should be taken to limit transmission. People should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing, then throw it out and wash their hands thoroughly and regularly.