What is avian or bird flu?
- Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a viral infection spread from bird to bird.
- There are 2 types of bird flu. These are the H5N1 (since 1997) and H7N9 (since 2013) viruses.
- Bird flu affects many species of birds, including chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, wild and pet birds
- Birds do not always get sick from infection
- Seemingly healthy birds may still pose a risk to people who come into contact with them.
- There is no natural immunity from bird flu in humans. Your body cannot develop antibodies, and, typically, hospitalization is required.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that by July 2013, 633 people had been infected with the H5N1 virus and 377 had died
- These viruses don't infect people easily and are usually not transmitted from human to human.
- About 60% of people infected with the virus died from their illness.
Signs and Symptoms
- A sudden high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above
- A dry, chesty cough
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Chills
- Aching muscles
- Limb or joint pain
- Diarrhea or stomach upset
- Sore throat
- Runny or blocked nose
- Sneezing
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- Bleeding from the nose and gums
- Vomiting
Complications
- Pneumonia
- Respiratory failure
- Shock
- Altered mental state
- Seizures
- Failure of multiple organs (e.g. kidney failure)
- Death
Prevention
• Avoid visiting live animal markets and poultry farms. When travelling
• Avoid contact with surfaces that are contaminated with bird droppings
• Don't pick up or touch birds (dead or alive)
• Don't eat or handle undercooked or raw poultry, egg or duck dishes
• Always practice good personal hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly
Spread
- Scientists are concerned that the avian flu could spread across the globe.
- The H5N1 bird flu virus is spread when wild birds pass the virus along to birds such as chickens or ducks that are being raised for human consumption
- Unlike other types of flu, H5N1 usually does not spread between people.
How bird flu spreads to humans
- Bird flu is spread through direct contact with infected birds (dead or alive). For example:
1) Inhaling or being in contact with dried dust from the droppings or bedding of infected birds
2) Inhaling or being in contact with droplets sneezed by infected birds
3) Culling, slaughtering, butchering or preparing infected poultry for cooking
How bird flu spreads
- Scientists are concerned that the avian flu could spread across the globe.
- The H5N1 bird flu virus is spread when wild birds pass the virus along to birds that are being raised for human consumption
- Unlike other types of flu, H5N1 usually does not spread between people
- H5N1 occurs naturally in wild waterfowl.
- The disease is transmitted to humans through contact with an infected birds feces, nasal secretions, or secretions from the mouth or eyes.
Can it spread between people?
- There have been isolated cases of bird flu spreading between people, but this is very rare.
- In the few, the infection most often spread after close prolonged contact between an infected person and an uninfected person.
Treating avian flu
- People with suspected will be cared for in hospital in isolation from other patients.
- The patient may be kept in isolation for up to 10 days.
The main recommendations are:
1) rest
2) drinking plenty of fluids and eating healthily
3) medications to help treat fever and pain, such as aspirin and paracetamol
General precautions
• Wash your hands regularly
• Turn away from other people and cover your mouth with tissues when you cough or sneeze
• Dispose of tissues immediately after use and wash your hands with soap and warm water
• Avoid public places if you are ill
• Make sure that you maintain a good level of general health and that you have any recommended vaccinations
Travel
• Don't go to live animal markets or poultry farms.
• Don't go near bird droppings or dead birds.
• Don't bring live birds or poultry products back with you, including feathers.
Bird flu vaccination
- A vaccine that offers protection against the H5N1 bird flu are limited, so it's unlikely to be widely available unless there is a serious outbreak.
- The seasonal flu vaccine does not provide protection against the strains of bird flu that can affect humans.