Table of Contents
Bird Flu or Avian Flu & Types
Bird flu, also known as avian flu or H5N1, is a type of influenza that primarily affects birds, including poultry and wild ducks, but can also be transmitted to humans. There are two types of bird flu: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI).
HPAI is a severe form of bird flu that causes the death of most birds and humans who contract it. On the other hand, LPAI is less severe and only causes seasonal on-and-off symptoms in some particular areas.
Symptoms of Bird Flu
The incubation period for bird flu in humans is typically 2-5 days after exposure to an infected bird. Symptoms may vary from person to person and may start like normal flu-like symptoms such as a running nose, low-grade to moderate fever, headache, body pain, diarrhea, etc. Later, symptoms can worsen to severe respiratory diseases like pneumonia or sepsis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of bird flu is mainly based on clinical symptoms and history. Swab samples from the nose, upper or lower respiratory tract, and molecular tests such as RT-PCR are also used. However, rapid influenza diagnostic tests have lower sensitivity when compared to PCR tests.
Transmission of Infection
Humans can contract bird flu through close contact with birds or their droppings, cleaning or plucking infected birds, inhalation of aerosolized materials from the open market, swimming or bathing in water contaminated with infected droppings of birds, handling fighting cocks, or eating undercooked chicken or eggs.
Prevention of Bird Flu
Prevention is essential to avoid bird flu. Person-to-person transmission is rarely seen, and using fully-cooked chicken or eggs, reducing contact with birds or their droppings, personal protective equipment (PPE), and personal and hand hygiene is critical. Avoid contact with wild cock or ducks and roaming in an open market. Isolation of infected persons is necessary.
Treatment
Early treatment with antiviral drugs like Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), Zanamivir (Relenza), and Peramivir (Rapivab) is effective in most cases when given within 48 hours of symptom onset. However, hospitalization and intensive care are required in the later stages of the disease.
In conclusion, bird flu is a severe form of influenza that can be fatal to birds and humans. Taking precautions and early treatment with antiviral drugs can help prevent the spread of the disease and reduce its severity.
FAQs
Q: What is bird flu?
A: Bird flu, also known as avian flu or H5N1, is a type of influenza that primarily affects birds, including poultry and wild ducks, but can also be transmitted to humans.
Q: What are the types of bird flu?
A: There are two types of bird flu: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI).
Q: What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?
A: The symptoms of bird flu may vary from person to person and may start like normal flu-like symptoms such as a running nose, low-grade to moderate fever, headache, body pain, diarrhea, etc. Later, symptoms can worsen to severe respiratory diseases like pneumonia or sepsis.
Q: How is bird flu diagnosed?
A: Diagnosis of bird flu is mainly based on clinical symptoms and history. Swab samples from the nose, upper or lower respiratory tract, and molecular tests such as RT-PCR are also used.
Q: How can humans contract bird flu?
A: Humans can contract bird flu through close contact with birds or their droppings, cleaning or plucking infected birds, inhalation of aerosolized materials from the open market, swimming or bathing in water contaminated with infected droppings of birds, handling fighting cocks, or eating undercooked chicken or eggs.
Q: How can bird flu be prevented?
A: Preventing bird flu requires reducing contact with birds or their droppings, using personal protective equipment (PPE), and personal and hand hygiene. Using fully-cooked chicken or eggs and avoiding contact with wild cock or ducks and roaming in an open market are also necessary.
Q: How is bird flu treated?
A: Early treatment with antiviral drugs like Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), Zanamivir (Relenza), and Peramivir (Rapivab) is effective in most cases when given within 48 hours of symptom onset. However, hospitalization and intensive care are required in the later stages of the disease.