Information on Avian Flu

Avian flu is caused due to the H5N1 virus which is transmitted from the saliva, fecal matter of the birds. The disease is highly contagious and causes death of birds and poultry population. The virus is lethal and assumes the proportion of pandemic, which can wipe out the entire population of birds and poultry. The virus also spreads to the human beings if they are in contact with the sick bird or poultry. Human beings are also afflicted by the virus which can even be life threatening.

Avian influenza is flu infection in birds. The disease is of concern to humans, who have no immunity against it. The virus that causes this infection in birds can mutate (change) to easily infect humans. Such mutation can start a deadly worldwide epidemic.

Avian' refers to birds and 'flu' is the common name for influenza. Some countries (particularly in Asia) have been affected by bird flu infecting their poultry stocks, and a small number of people have caught the bird flu virus from being in close contact with infected chickens. There have only been a small number of incidents of bird flu in the UK where it has been found in poultry and a couple of wild birds. All cases of bird flu in the UK have been well controlled and there have been no cases of human illness associated with any incidents.

Avian influenza (also referred to as avian flu or bird flu) refers to type A strains of the influenza virus that infect birds. Avian flu occurs worldwide and was first identified over 100 years ago. Normally avian flu viruses don't infect species other than birds and pigs. In 1997, however, the first documented human case of avian flu occurred in Hong Kong. Avian flu causes severe symptoms and can result in death.

Influenza is contagious. Viruses that cause influenza spread from person to person mainly by airborne droplets of respiratory fluids that are sent through the air when someone infected with the virus coughs or sneezes. Other people inhale the airborne virus and can become infected. In some cases, the flu can be spread when someone touches a surface (e.g., doorknobs, countertops, telephones) that has the virus on it and then touches his or her nose, mouth or eyes. The flu is most easily spread in crowded places such as schools and offices.

Transmission of the virus from birds to humans occurs when birds such as turkeys, geese, and domestic chickens come in contact with the virus from food, water, or particles contaminated with the virus. The virus can be shed in the droppings of migratory birds since they are natural carriers and is able to survive for three months in cool temperatures. It can also survive in water at 0°C for more than 30 days and at 22°C for up to 4 days. If a person working closely with these animals inhales dust particles containing the virus or by other means, they could develop the bird flu.

For now, the primary treatment option remains the flu drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which works by preventing the virus from multiplying. It's not clear how effective Tamiflu will prove against H5N1. Another antiviral flu drug, zanamivir (Relenza), may be an alternative. However, viruses may become resistant to both of these drugs.

Article Directory: http://www.everyonesarticles.com

Read About Baby Care Magazine, baby care Also read about Hair Removal Magazine, hair removal guide and Makeup Magazine

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated