Avian flu (bird flu)

Avian flu (bird flu) Bird flu has become a common phenomenon since the late 1990s. A number of countries have been affected, reporting a large number of poultry and even human infection, often resulting in death. The bird flu virus is not highly contagious between humans, however a risk is posed if the virus mutates, potentially triggering a worldwide epidemic. In 1918, a flu pandemic killed more than 20 million people worldwide. How many countries have been actually affected with avian bird flu? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there had been 348 reports of human infection of the H5N1 virus, prior January 2008. Reports had been most commonly in countries like Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam.

Bird flu and humans

The Influenza A virus affects domestic birds as well as humans. Asia has suffered most with H5N1 virus and reports state that more than 90 percent of cases result in fatality both in poultry and in humans.

Breakouts of bird flu are mostly documented in regions of Asia, Africa, and the East, due to living conditions, resulting in close contact with domestic animals, most notably poultry. Backyards can often double as poultry farms, thus increasing the chances of human infection.

As a preventive measure, poultry birds have been destroyed in affected South Asian countries in order to counteract the spread of this infection from birds to humans. Government action has also been taken, to stockpile the treatment drugs, in a bid to anticipate any emergency situations.

What are the types of influenza viruses?

There are three types of influenza viruses – type A, type B, and type C. The most serious virus, posing a threat to humans is type A. Influenza type C is generally mild whereas type B virus can lead to serious illness or epidemic. However, there is little risk of a pandemic.

What are the symptoms of bird flu?

The most common symptoms of bird flu in humans are:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Lethargy
• Eye infections
• Breathing problems
• Chest pain

Immediate medical attention should be sought if any symptoms are observed.

Treating Avian bird flu infection

The foremost step is to partake in a full medical examination, if any symptoms are detected. The doctor will suggest a treatment if necessary. A particular course of medication is Tamiflu, also widely used for the treatment of avian flu.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the use of Tamiflu to treat any pandemic break out of bird flu.