Bird Flue

Bird flu or avian influenza, is an influenza type that spreads among birds and can affect humans rarely too.

Bird flu virus affects various bird species, including:

-       Chickens

-       Ducks

-       Geese

-       Turkeys

The virus can spread among the wild, pet and commercial birds. However it’s not necessary that infected bird will develop illness, therefore a seemingly healthy bird may pose a risk to the humans and other birds getting in contact with it too.

Most of the strains of avian influenza virus don’t harm humans, however two strains have infected humans in recent years and caused a serious concern:

-       H5N1 (since 1997)

-       H7N9 (since 2013)

These influenza viruses don’t transmit from humans to humans usually and don’t’ infect humans easily either, however they do infect humans and have resulted in a number of deaths around the world.

Other strains of this virus also infect humans but rarely and that too not resulting in severe illness. These strains include:

-       H7N7

-       H9N2

-       H6N1

-       H10N8

-       H5N6

Signs and symptoms of bird flu in humans

Symptoms of bird flu in humans are similar to other types of flu, like:

-       Fever

-       Muscle aches

-       Headache

-       Respiratory symptoms, including

o   Cough

o   Running nose

Some patients reported non-regular symptoms of flu too, including:

-       Nausea

-       Vomiting

-       Diarrhea

-       Chest pain

-       Abdominal pain

-       Bleeding, from:

o   Nose

o   Gums

These symptoms appear immediately and suddenly.

The incubation period for bird flu symptoms to appear is 3 to 5 days. However in some cases, it may take up to 7 days to develop symptoms.

Once the symptoms appear, within few days, fatal complications can occur too, including:

-       Pneumonia

-       Acute respiratory distress syndrome

-       Multiple organ failure

Immediate treatment is necessary for these patients to prevent serious complications and for the reduction of the risk of death.

Detecting avian influenza virus in humans

Bird flue isn’t diagnosed on the basis of signs and symptoms only; laboratory investigations are needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Usually, a swab is collected from the nose or throat of the infected person during the initial days of illness. This specimen is used to detect the virus by either a molecular test or by growing the virus in lab, or both.

Note that the procedure in which the virus is grown in laboratory, should only be done in the laboratories that have a high level of protection.

Spread of bird flu to humans

Bird flu can spread once a human comes in direct contact with:

-       The infected birds

o   Dead or alive, both

-       Droppings of the infected birds

-       Secretions for the infected birds eyes or respiratory tract

-       Getting in contact with or inhaling the droplets sneezed by infected birds

-       Choosing and preparing the infected bird for cooking, including:

o   Culling

o   Slaughtering

o   Butchering

o   Preparing the infected bird for cooking

Infections can also spread in live markets, as birds are sold in crowded and unsanitary conditions.

Note that bird flu doesn’t spread through properly cooked food. Also, eggs are safe to eat too.

Bird flu in domestic animals

Several domestic animal species have shown the symptoms of bird flu (H5N1), including:

-       Cats

-       Dogs

-       Birds

-       Pigs

-       Ferrets

How to prevent bird flu

Prevention is better than cure; it goes for bird flu too. Prevention from getting infected with bird flu including in regions where outbreaks have been reported is simple, and includes:

-       Avoid going to markets for live animals and poultry farms

-       Avoid getting in contact with surfaces that are contaminated with the secretions of the bird droppings

-       Don’t touch or pick birds, both dead or alive

-       Don’t handle or eat undercooked food including:

o   Raw poultry

o   Eggs

o   Duck or other birds related dishes

-       Don’t collect or bring with you the live poultry products including feathers

-       Practice personal hygiene, including regularly washing hands

-       Use protective gears like aprons, gloves, boots, boot covers, head covers, etc. when at risk of coming in contact with the virus or infected birds

-       People at risk of getting in contact with bird flu virus can be given antiviral drugs prophylactically. Although this approach isn’t 100% useful, its’ still 70 to 90% effective.

-       Seasonal influenza vaccine doesn’t prevent the bird flu virus infection, however it can reduce the co-infection risks with human and influenza virus

Protecting your mouth, nose, eyes and hands from the particles containing the bird flu virus is important for the prevention of disease, as they are the most common ways the virus infects a human.

Consult your doctor if you’re suspecting or suffering from the symptoms associated with bird flu to prevent any serious and even fatal complications.