Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Well, the answer to this question becomes of little importance as the new discussion relating to birds emerges. The discussion over The Bird Flu (Avian Influenza)- what is it, how is it spread, what are the causes, what are the symptoms, and what is its treatment?Bird Flu first broke out in India in 2006. In January 2019, the outbreak resurfaced in Patna, Bihar, with the death of over 650 chickens. Today, social media is overflowing with discussions and debates over terrorism, obesity, stress, climate change, etc., while throughout history, infectious diseases have been by far the greatest killer of human beings.Keeping in mind the recent outbreak, it is essential that you know what Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) is all about. In this article, we will cover the details about the same.
What Is Bird Flu?
'Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!'- Well, not so soon. It is important to learn the basic facts about Bird Flu in order to avoid the infection.Like humans, birds also get the flu. Bird Flu is also known as Avian Influenza. It refers to a group of viral infection that spreads to birds, animals, and even humans. Most forms of the virus are restricted to birds. The most common type of Bird Flu infection, capable of spreading in humans, is H5N1.H5N1, a subtype of Avian Flu, has a high mortality rate. It can be fatal in 60 percent of cases. The infection commonly affects wild birds. The bird flu virus is highly contagious and has a high impact on domesticated birds like chickens, turkeys, and ducks.Bird Flu remains a topic of concern among health officials and experts. It is feared that if the avian flu virus mutates into a form that transmits from person to person, it could lead to a global outbreak. That is why the basic knowledge about the facts of Bird Flu should be discussed more.How Does Avian Influenza Spread?
Wild birds tend to carry the infection in their intestines. However, they do not usually get infected by it. It occurs naturally among birds.Infected birds transfer the virus to susceptible birds. They shed the virus through their saliva, nasal secretions, and bird feces (droppings). Susceptible birds become infected when they come in contact with these secretions or with the surface of these secretions.Humans, on the other hand, get infected when they come into close contact with these susceptible birds. Most cases of highly pathogenic bird flu in humans are a result of close contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. However, 'close culture' varies in different cultures and thus, determines whether or not you are infected with bird flu.There is no evidence in medical science of the spread of this infection from human to human.Should Eating Chicken Be Avoided?
No, it is safe to eat properly cooked chicken and eggs. Humans do not catch Avian Influenza by eating cooked poultry. Because the virus is sensitive to heat, experts believe that the infection eventually dies when the poultry is cooked above 70 degrees Celsius (normally, in households, the said temperature is automatically achieved while cooking). Eggs should be cooked until the yolks and whites are firm. Good hygiene practices should be followed while cooking poultry meat.So if you wish to eat chicken delicacies, cook the food properly and thoroughly to eliminate the virus.How To Identify If Someone Has Bird Flu - Symptoms?
Humans do not get infected by the Avian virus easily, but there is a chance of catching the infection.H5N1 infection can be identified in a person if the following symptoms are visible:- Coughing
- Chest pain
- Runny nose
- Cold sweat
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Sore throat
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Gum bleeding
- Diarrhea
- Aching muscles and joints
- Fatigue
- Hoarse voice
- Pneumonia
- Bleeding in sputum
- Eye Infection (a very rare symptom)
What Are The Risk Factors Of Developing The Bird Flu?
The greatest risk factor of getting infected with H5N1 bird flu is 'close contact' with infected birds.Touching or coming in direct contact with the contaminated surface is a major risk factor.You may be at high risk of being infected if:- You visit or own a poultry farm
- You are exposed to the infected birds
- You are handling or caring for sick birds
- You eat undercooked poultry or eggs
- You slaughter or butcher infected birds
- You touch unwashed eggs of infected birds
- You touch water contaminated with infection by sick birds
- You visit open markets where infected birds are placed for sale
How Is The Bird Flu Diagnosed?
A test has been approved by experts to identify H5N1 infection in humans. The test is called Influenza A/H5 (Asian Lineage) virus real-time primer and probe set.Sadly, the test is not widely available.If your symptoms match with those of Avian flu, upon consultation, your doctor may perform chest x-rays and white blood cell differential tests, among others, for disease control and prevention.What Is The Prevention For Bird Flu?
Unfortunately, it is not possible yet to prevent the bird flu from spreading. It is always better to keep a bad thing from happening than to fix it after it has happened.A bird flu vaccine has been approved by medical authorities to prevent the H5N1 virus infection. It has not yet been made available to the public. (Authorities are stocking it in a pile to be used in case an epidemic occurs).One of the major preventions for the Bird Flu is getting the flu vaccine. This is to avoid the human strain of influenza.People can be responsible for their health and take some very simple yet useful precautions to prevent the flu. These precautions include:- Washing your hands properly with warm water and soap frequently
- Coughing with the mouth covered with tissue or a handkerchief
- Staying isolated if you have the flu to avoid the spreading of the infection
Recommendations For Travelers
There are no restrictions on traveling to a country with the rise of bird influenza. However, if you are traveling to an Avian Flu affected country, you must consider the following:- Avoid visiting farms or open-air markets
- Keep a sanitizer and use it frequently to clean your hands
- Ask your doctor for a flu shot before traveling
What Is The Treatment For Avian Flu?
The treatment for Bird Flu may vary depending on the symptoms highlighted in the patient.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antiviral medication can be prescribed to the diseased. The antiviral would suppress the complications of the flu and improve the condition of the patient.The dosage of the medication will depend on how severe the patient's condition is.Medical professionals advise patients with Bird Flu to get complete rest, consume large quantities of fluids and eat proper nutrients.In most severe cases, where the patient's condition seems to be deteriorating drastically, the doctor may advise the patient to be treated promptly in the hospital.How To Protect Yourself And Farm Livelihood It's important to know your health insurance coverage to know if bird flu is covered or not. Generally, government-funded and private health insurance covers bird flu and other infections. But how can farm owners protect their business from bird flu and other unexpected events? Standard farm insurance covers injury to livestock. However, it doesn't cover illness. To cover livestock in times of illness, farm owners should invest in specialist livestock insurance, which is available from farm insurance providers. Bird flu can affect livestock and overall family business. Farm owners can protect their livelihood by getting Ontario farm insurance or any local insurance coverage. A farm insurance policy generally covers the following:- Unexpected Loss
- Natural Disasters
- Disease
- Legal Liabilities
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