Understanding Bird Flu: Bird Flu Symptoms, Prevention & Fact

How does Bird flu spread to Humans? 

Wild aquatic birds are the primary host of the influenza A virus, and the virus is mostly continually present in the bird population.  The bird can then carry them over large distances, especially during annual migration. Birds that are infected by the virus can shed the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and faeces.  Susceptible birds, become infected when they have contact with the virus. The virus can survive for long periods in water and at low temperatures and can be spread from one farm to another on farm equipment. Domesticated birds like chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc. may become infected with Avian Influenza virus through direct contact with infected poultry, or by coming in contact with contaminated faeces or surfaces. 

The virus affects humans if they come in close contact with infected birds which includes: 

• Touching infected animal 
• Coming in close contact with an animal’s body fluids like spit, saliva, milk, respiratory droplets, or faeces.  
• Breathing small dust particles in animal habitat.  
• Visiting the animal market or poultry that have had an outbreak of Bird Flu. 

One doesn’t get bird flu from eating properly cooked poultry or eggs or from drinking pasteurized milk. Any bird or animal known to have the avian flu virus is immediately taken out of the human food supply. 

Influenza A(H5N1) and Influenza A(H7N9) are the common subtypes that have affected humans lately. The types of proteins on the surface of the virus determine the names of these subtypes. Both of these strains have a high potential to devastate poultry stocks, and both have affected humans with relatively high fatality rates.  

The highly pathogenic influenza A virus subtype is H5N1, It is an emerging avian influenza virus that is causing global concern as a potential pandemic threat. It is often called simply as "bird flu" or "avian influenza". It was first recorded in a small outbreak among poultry in Scotland in 1959 and has killed number of poultry in the countries of Asia, Europe, and Africa subsequently. The first known transmission of A/H5N1 to a human occurred in Hong Kong in 1997. Most cases reported in humans have contact with poultry in markets or farms.  

What are the symptoms of Bird Flu in humans? 

Bird Flu can infect the upper respiratory tract, and lungs and sometimes spread to other parts of the human body like the brain. Symptoms can be mild or severe. These include: 

1. Fever with chills and sweat
2. Muscle ache 
3. Headache 
4. Shortness of breath 
5. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) 
6. Sore throat 
7. Cold/cough 
8. Nausea/ vomiting 
9. Diarrhea 
10. Fatigue/ weakness 

It usually takes 3 to 5 days for the symptoms to appear first after you've been infected by the virus. Within a few days of appearing symptoms, it's possible to develop more severe complications such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, brain swelling and respiratory failure. 

Bird flu is rarely contagious. In almost all cases so far, humans have contracted bird flu infections from contact with infected animals. But once a human is infected, it is possible that the virus could mutate itself to spread easily to other humans. 

Diagnosing Bird flu: 

• Nasal swab  
• Throat swab 
• Swab from the conjunctiva of eye 

The laboratory has to be informed about your exposure to the place where there were infected animals, only then will they send the swabs for testing to the special lab for the bird flu.  

What is the treatment of Bird Flu? 

Antiviral medications are generally used to treat bird flu symptoms. It should be taken immediately, as soon as you have the symptoms, to prevent severe complications later. If you are having symptoms of bird flu, you should isolate yourself from people around you to avoid spreading the illness. If you get sick or show any symptoms after being in close contact with infected birds or other such animals, contact your healthcare provider immediately. They may have you tested for H5N1 bird flu, and write you a prescription for an antiviral drug to treat your illness. It is important to take the medication as directed by your doctor.  

How to prevent Bird Flu in humans? 

Certain ways to reduce your risk of getting infected with bird flu are: 

• When working at the poultry or farm with birds, wild animals, or livestock, wear protective clothing like a mask, gloves, or goggles.  
• Wash your hands frequently with warm water after handling birds, wild animals, and livestock or after being in areas where they live. Also, make sure to scrub your hands properly before making a meal or having it. 
• Do not go near a sick or dead bird if you are aware of the spread. 
• Do not eat raw or undercooked poultry or duck. Also, avoid unpasteurized milk. 
• Take your shoes off before entering your home if you have had a visit to a place where waterfalls or chickens live. It reduces the risk of contaminating the place with bird dropping, thus preventing infection.  
• Avoid working with animals who are sick or who’ve been exposed to avian influenza. In case of an outbreak, follow public health guidelines to limit the spread. 
• Get yourself a seasonal flu shot. This won’t prevent you directly from bird flu, but it can reduce your risk of serious illness and of getting coinfection by both avian influenza and seasonal influenza at the same time. One should get a seasonal flu shot 2 weeks before their exposure to such potentially infected places. 
• The best prevention is to avoid the place of exposure where the animals may be infected with bird flu. 

Bird flu update:  

Bird flu is seen widespread in wild birds, and there is an outbreak of disease in poultry and dairy farms. Human cases have recently been seen in areas where the workers are exposed to such animals, like dairy and poultry workers. 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposure.  

CDC is using its flu surveillance system to monitor flu activity in people. 

To get more information about healthcare industry topics, visit Docthub.

FAQS: 

What is bird flu? 

BIRD FLU is a disease caused by Avian Influenza virus that infects wild birds, poultry and can also sometimes affect humans. 

Can bird flu kill humans? 

Bird Flu can cause mild to severe infections in humans, like cold, cough, fever, pink eye to severe symptoms like shortness of breath, brain swelling and respiratory failure. Mortality rates are high, with half of the population affected by the virus dying eventually.  

Is bird flu a new disease? 

No, bird flu is not a new disease, however, there have been outbreaks in recent times. 

What animals can get bird flu? 

Wild birds like ducks, geese, swans, gulls, and terns. Shorebirds like storks, plovers, and sandpipers. Domestic birds like chickens, turkeys, ducks, and pet birds. Mammals which include farm animals, wild animals, and domestic animals. 

How many types of bird flu are there? 

Avian Influenza virus ( bird flu) is further categorized into various subtypes based on two surface proteins: Hemagglutinin (H) and Neuraminidase (N).

Hemagglutinin has 16 subtypes (H1-H16) 

Neuraminidase has 9 subtypes (N1-N9) 

Many combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible (i.e., H5N1, H5N2, H7N2, H7N8, etc). 

Based on their ability to produce disease, they can also be classified as 

HPAI- Highly pathogenic avian influenza and LPAI- Low pathogenic avian influenza