Bird flu outbreak, in other words, is avian influenza. It is a viral infection that harms birds as well as humans and other animals also. Various forms of the virus are inadequate for birds.
The most common bird flu is H5N1. It is very dangerous for birds and for them who contact this flu-like human and other animals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 1997, H5N1 first came across in humans, and nearly a 60percent were killed by this flu, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Symptoms of Bird Flu
If you are suffering from H5N1, you may experience typical flu-like symptoms:
- Muscle ache
- Running nose
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Breathing problems
Please keep in mind if you are suffering from these symptoms, you have to inform doctors or staff members before coming to the hospital.
Bird Flu Causes
Even though there are many types of bird flu, the first virus that infects humans is the H5N1 avian influenza virus. In 1997, the first infection developed in Hong Kong.
Bird flu outbreak was associated with grasping infected poultry. H5N1 quickly spreads into domestic poultry, but it naturally happens in wild waterfowl.
Risk Factor of Bird Flu
H5N1 avian influenza has the potential to continue for an extended period of time. At least for ten days, birds who are infected with H5N1 release infected virus feces and saliva. That’s why it increases the risk factor of spreading viruses.
You may have at significant risk of H5N1 if you are:
- A poultry farmer
- Exposed to infected birds
- Who eats undercooked eggs and chicken
- A health care workers who take care of an infected person
- A traveler visiting affected areas
- Family members of an infected person
Treatment of Bird Flu
Most treatment occurs with antiviral medication such as zanamivir or oseltamivir to reduce the intensity of bird flu diseases. Although at least within 48 hours of symptoms appearing, should take the medication.
The human form of bird flu outbreak can develop antibiotic resistance to the two forms of antiviral medication, rimantadine, and amantadine, which couldn’t be used to treat diseases.
Prevention of Bird Flu
To prevent bird flu, doctors recommend the flu vaccine so you can’t get the human strain of influenza H5N1. Please be aware that if you have influenza flu fever or normal fever simultaneously, it may create a deadly and new form of flu.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) has not issued any guidelines against traveling to countries for those who are affected by H5N1. You can minimize the risk by avoiding;
- Open-air markets
- Contact with infected birds
- Undercooked poultry
Avian influenza bird flu viruses are divided into two forms depending on their pathogenicity; it is high pathogenicity or low pathogenicity found in North America. Mostly, pigeons come in contact with avian flu, but they aren’t able to transmit it.
