Answers about bird flu

by Groshan Fabiola

We often hear about bird flu from the media. We know that it is a virus that usually affects birds. This virus is a complex one that it does not affect only birds but humans too.

Asian countries are the most common areas where bird flu might develop. Also called avian influenza, bird flu is known to develop 15 subtypes of viruses. The most dangerous virus that proved to be a threat for both birds and humans is H5N1.

The virus occurs in most of the cases among birds. Wild birds carry the virus in their intestines but usually do not get sick from it. At risk are the domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks or turkeys. After catching the virus these birds are, in most of the cases, going to die.

There are known two forms of influenza viruses that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The low pathogenic form may go undetected and may cause mild symptoms but the highly pathogenic form spreads more rapidly and affects the internal organs of the birds. In more than 90 % of the cases the highly pathogenic form leads to death in less than 48 hours after the virus is caught.

Infected birds carry the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions or faeces. The virus spreads quickly, being enough a contact with a contaminated surface. Domestic birds may get infected through direct contact with infected waterfowl or with other infected poultry.

Most of the people ask if bird flu can affect them too. It is known that bird flu usually affects birds. Even so there are known some cases since 1997 until now of people getting infected with bird flu viruses. The mortality rate was high in those cases but those cases were rare.

Most of the cases of avian influenza in humans occurred after direct contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces. During the research it was noticed that avian influenza viruses do not spread from person to person.

The symptoms of avian influenza in humans become various. If a normal human flu develops fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches, avian influenza may lead to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases and other life threatening complications. These symptoms are related to the subtype of the virus.

In order to detect avian flu in humans, a laboratory test is needed. For the infected humans there are two major risks. The first one is the risk of indirect infection leading to severe diseases and the second one is the risk for the virus to merge with a human flu virus and form a new type of contagious and fatal human virus.

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So, if you want to find out more about symptoms of bird flu or even about bird flu prevention please click this link http://www.bird-flu-info-center.com/