Bird flu symptoms
Bird flu is also known as HPAI influenza virus H5N1. It is a deadly virus that is found in birds and can be transmitted to humans. It has claimed several lakhs of deaths globally and caused significant economic losses since its emergence in 1997 in Hong Kong, where it claimed the lives of 6 people in the beginning. The bird flu symptoms in birds vary from strain to strain, and not all variants can be transmitted to humans. Additionally, it does not spread from humans to humans. Yet, skepticism around it becoming a pandemic continues among scientists.
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We shall try to get an overview of the flu and its causes in the subsequent sections. We shall also see how bird flu effects on humans can be prevented or reduced.
What is bird flu?
Influenza A is a virus family found mainly in birds. It quickly infects birds and eventually leads to their death. Sometimes, birds can be carriers of the virus.
In humans, bird flu is caused by coming in contact with an infected bird. It has had several outbreaks and strains in the past decades but has not become a pandemic yet.
The avian influenza symptoms surface in the form of two proteins, namely hemagglutinin, and neuraminidase. Hitherto, 16 types of hemagglutinin variants and 9 types of neuraminidase variants have been known. The virus affects the respiratory system and its tracts, which is lethal for humans.
These bird flu viruses have a propensity to genetically mutate. This happens gradually and slowly in antigenic drift or rapidly in an antigenic shift. The product of both processes is a new deadly variant.
How does bird flu spread?
Bird flu can only spread from birds. Ducks and other wild birds are viewed as carriers of the virus. In humans, Bird flu is caused by various activities of these carriers. The virus is present in their intestines, which find its way out in the environment through feces. These birds spread the virus to domesticated birds. The virus can travel from one nation to another through migratory birds who travel seasonally.
A sick bird can spread the virus through its saliva and mucus too. Since bird flu symptoms in birds are not easily noticed, the transmission becomes hard to prevent. A human can contact an infected bird and get infected by eating from unwashed hands.
Consuming the meat of infected birds, like chicken or duck, can facilitate bird flu transmission. There have been rare cases where a caregiver would fall sick after taking care of the patient, though. Nonetheless, scientists have not yet validated human-to-human contact as an answer to the question "how does bird flu spread?”
Bird flu symptoms
The symptoms depend on the subtype of the virus. However, some symptoms can be taken into cognizance to consult a doctor.
- Bird flu symptoms in humans
High fever, often more than 38 degrees, accompanied by vomiting.
Diarrhea is accompanied by respiratory problems.
Abdominal pain and nose bleed.
Pleuritic pain.
Pneumonia and hemorrhage
- Bird flu symptoms in birds
The symptoms in the animals are:
Diarrhea
Breathing difficulties
Swelling in the head
However, these symptoms usually do not surface and the death comes rapidly and abruptly. Domestic birds usually are not natural carriers.
Bird Flu prevention
Some preventive methods are:-
They become so through coming in contact with other wild birds. Housing domestic birds carefully and ensuring no contact with wild birds
Washing hands diligently after touching or handling your domesticated birds since it is hard to detect bird flu symptoms in birds.
Avoid consuming the meat of birds whenever an outbreak is reported.
Avoid eating raw meat and raw eggs at all costs.
Make sure that you buy meat from hygienic supply chains only.
Astute vaccination drives to boost immunity against the fatality of the virus is another way.
Treatment of Bird Flu
The treatment of the virus varies across the variants. Mostly, antiviral medications Tamiflu and Relenza must be given within 2 days of the appearance of the symptoms. Medical advisory from the doctor is compulsory for the treatment of avian influenza symptoms.
The patient must be admitted to the hospital and given proper respiratory support when the symptoms become severe.
Fun Facts
A profoundly brutal method of bird flu prevention is culling. It is a process where chickens and potentially harmful poultry birds are mass slaughtered and buried in the land. The locations of the cause of the flu are identified to carry out the process. In 1997, when the bird flu symptoms emerged in Hong Kong, around one and half million chickens were killed to contain the spread.
FAQs on Bird flu symptoms in humans, cause, prevention, treatment, and more
1. What exactly is bird flu?
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a disease caused by a type of influenza A virus. These viruses naturally circulate among wild aquatic birds but can also infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. In rare cases, these viruses can jump from birds to humans.
2. What is the main cause of bird flu in humans?
Humans can get infected with bird flu primarily through close contact with infected birds, either dead or alive. This includes touching infected birds, their droppings, or contaminated surfaces. The main viral strains of concern for human health are subtypes like H5N1 and H7N9.
3. What are the common symptoms of bird flu in humans?
The symptoms of bird flu in humans can range from mild to severe and often appear similar to regular flu. Common symptoms include:
- High fever (over 38°C or 100.4°F)
- Cough and sore throat
- Muscle aches and headache
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
4. How is bird flu treated in people?
Treatment for bird flu in humans must be started quickly. It usually involves antiviral medications, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), to help reduce the severity of the illness. Patients with severe symptoms often require hospitalisation for supportive care, like assistance with breathing.
5. What are the best ways to prevent getting bird flu?
The best way to prevent bird flu is to avoid sources of exposure. Key prevention tips include:
- Avoiding contact with wild birds and sick or dead domestic poultry.
- Practicing good hygiene, especially washing your hands with soap and water after contact with birds or their environments.
- Ensuring that poultry and eggs are cooked thoroughly before eating.
6. Is it safe to eat chicken or eggs during a bird flu outbreak?
Yes, it is generally safe to eat properly cooked chicken and eggs. The avian influenza virus is sensitive to heat, and thorough cooking to an internal temperature of at least 74°C (165°F) will kill it. You should avoid eating raw poultry products or raw eggs in areas with an outbreak.
7. How is bird flu different from the regular seasonal flu?
While both are caused by influenza viruses, there are key differences. Regular seasonal flu spreads easily from person to person, while bird flu rarely does. However, bird flu is often much more severe in humans, with a significantly higher mortality rate compared to seasonal flu.
8. Why is bird flu considered so dangerous to the human population?
The primary danger of bird flu lies in its potential to mutate. Health experts fear that the virus could change to become easily transmissible between humans. If such a contagious and severe strain were to emerge, it could lead to a widespread global health crisis, known as a pandemic.
9. If a person gets bird flu, how long does the illness typically last?
The duration and severity of bird flu can vary greatly. Mild cases might resolve in a week or two, similar to seasonal flu. However, severe cases that lead to complications like pneumonia can require weeks of hospitalisation and a much longer recovery period.
10. Why is it so difficult to completely prevent the spread of bird flu?
Completely stopping bird flu is challenging because the virus is naturally hosted by migratory wild birds, which can carry it across vast distances without showing signs of illness. These birds can then introduce the virus to domestic poultry flocks, making containment difficult on a global scale.
