In world news, the bird flue’s popularity is skyrocketing in recent days. Cases of the deadly desease have been reported in East Asia, namely in Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and Hog Kong.
The U.S. Government commissioned scientists to figure out how the deadly bird flu virus might mutate to become a such bigger threat to people – and two laboratories succeeded in creating new strains that are easier to spread. The researches with lots of potential to help the public, might also be hijacked by would-be bio terrorists. The science labs found that it appears easier than scientists had thought for the H5N1 bird flu to develop in a way that lets it spread easily between some mammals.
Currently, H5N1 avian influenza virus — the strain commonly referred to as “bird flu” — rarely infects humans and does not spread easily from person to person. However, many researchers and public health officials are concerned that the virus could evolve in nature into a form that is transmissible among humans — an event that could potentially make this deadly virus an extremely serious global public health threat.
How to recognize H5N1 avian influenza virus?
Bird Flu Symptoms in Birds
Infection with bird flu in domestic poultry causes two main forms of the disease that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The “low pathogenic” form may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms of bird flu, which may include ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production. The highly pathogenic form of bird flu spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form may cause disease that affects multiple internal organs, and it has a mortality rate that can reach 90 percent to 100 percent, often within 48 hours.
Although there have been too few human cases to determine the exact incubation period of bird flu, it would be expected to be from three to 10 days. The symptoms of bird flu in humans are similar to those of regular influenza and include:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Headache
- Aching muscles.
Complications Of Bird flu
Bird flu in humans can cause a range of serious and potentially fatal complications, including:
- Eye infections
- Pneumonia, including viral pneumonia
- Acute respiratory distress
- Inflammation of the brain and heart.
If you have recently returned from a country that had an outbreak of bird flu and you get flu symptoms, see your doctor immediately. When making the appointment, tell the clinic staff about your travel including any visits to markets, farms or anywhere else where birds were present.
Influenza viruses can mutate
Influenza viruses that infect animal species can mutate and infect humans. The human immune system may have no defences against viruses that previously only infected animals. That’s why infection with these viruses can result in more severe disease in people.
If the H5N1 bird flu virus were to mix with a human influenza virus, such a ‘combined’ virus could create a new human influenza virus that could spread rapidly.
Health experts are concerned that the current bird flu affecting Asia could become a worldwide pandemic if the virus does mutate. The worst influenza pandemic in modern history was the Spanish flu, which occurred in 1918–19 and killed up to 50 million people.
Measures to contain the spread of the current bird flu virus include identifying and culling affected poultry flocks, research into tests and vaccines, and rigorous quarantine practices.
Treatment options
Several antiviral medications used to treat human influenza are also effective for bird flu. These could be used if a person developed symptoms after possible exposure to bird flu, or to prevent illness in a person who was in close contact with bird flu. Currently testing for bird flu vaccines is an ongoing process.
At the moment, there is no need for people living in USA, or people making short visits to countries with cases of bird flu, to have antiviral medications. Americans living long-term in countries affected by bird flu should consider having a supply of antiviral medications in the home to use on medical advice should the situation change while they are away from the US.
The Federal government is stockpiling Relenza and Tamiflu, two drugs that may be used in the treatment of human cases of bird flu. In the case of an outbreak in humans, these drugs would be used to maintain essential services, prevent transmission and provide treatment for people who are already ill.
A vaccine against bird flu is in development, but is not currently available. The current influenza vaccines will not protect humans against bird flu. However, people who may be exposed to bird flu should consider being vaccinated against human influenza viruses to reduce the risk of the viruses ‘mixing’ to form a new flu strain.
Advice for travellers
Be aware of the risk of bird flu if you are travelling to a country where outbreaks are occurring. Suggestions include:
- Avoid contact with wild or domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks and geese.
- Don’t visit farms or market places, since these are the primary carriers of bird flu.
- Stop young children from putting contaminated objects or their own fingers into their mouths.
- Eggshells may be contaminated too. Wash eggs thoroughly before breaking and wash your hands thoroughly after handling eggs.
- Avoid foods that contain uncooked egg, such as mayonnaise.
- Wash hands, chopping boards and utensils thoroughly after handling raw poultry.
- Cook poultry at high temperatures. Cooking temperatures of 80°C or higher destroy the bird flu virus in about 60 seconds.
