Bird Flu
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a viral infection primarily affecting birds that can, in rare cases, infect humans through direct contact or contaminated environments.
Overview
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is caused by viruses that normally infect poultry and wild birds. While rare, these viruses can infect humans. The H5N1, H7N9, and H5N6 viruses have caused the majority of human infections, primarily in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, and the Near East.
Transmission
Human infection typically occurs through:
- Touching eyes, nose, or mouth after handling infected birds.
- Touching surfaces contaminated by the virus.
- Breathing in droplets or dust contaminated with the virus.
Rare transmission routes include contact with other infected animals (such as dogs, cats, or livestock), human-to-human contact, consuming improperly handled or cooked poultry, eggs, or beef, and drinking raw milk.
Symptoms
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and often mimic seasonal flu:
- Fever
- Cough and sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Fatigue and headaches
- Eye redness (conjunctivitis)
- Trouble breathing
- Diarrhea
Severe cases may lead to pneumonia and hospitalization.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis is confirmed via laboratory testing, typically using a nasal or throat swab collected during the first few days of illness. For severe cases, fluid samples from the lungs may be used.
Treatment involves antiviral medicines, which should be administered as soon as possible to reduce illness severity. These medicines may also be used as a preventative measure following exposure.
Prevention
There is currently no public vaccine, though the government has developed a virus that could be used to produce one if necessary. Recommended precautions include:
- Using proper protective equipment if working with animals.
- Avoiding direct contact with wild birds and animals.
- Washing hands thoroughly after animal contact.
- Handling and cooking food safely and avoiding raw milk.