Respiratory System
Avian Influenza
Definition- Avian influenza refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu). These viruses occur naturally among wild birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with avian flu viruses have occurred.
Symptoms- within two to eight days, symptoms can seem like the common flu. Cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, and shortness of breath may occur. Pain in the muscles.
Effected Population- Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a viral infection spread from bird to bird. Currently, a particularly deadly strain of bird flu -- H5N1 -- continues to spread among poultry in Egypt and in certain parts of Asia.
most death in humans happen in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Pacific, and the Near East. While very rarely killing any humans in North America.
History- Avian influenza was first recorded in Italy in 1878. The disease, originally known as Fowl Plague, continuously caused massive outbreaks in poultry, including two outbreaks in the United States (1924 and 1929). In 1955, it was discovered that the virus causing Fowl Plague was an influenza virus. The first human case in 1997, and the most recent in February 2004, an outbreak of bird flu virus was reported in a flock of 7,000 chickens in south-central Texas. At that time, this was the first outbreak in the United States in 20 years.
Affected Population- There are three types of influenza virus: A, B, and C. All influenza viruses affecting domestic animals (horses, pigs, poultry, etc.) belong to type A, which is the most common virus type producing serious epidemics in humans. Influenza types B and C affect only humans. H5N1 has killed nearly 60% of the people who have been infected. It's deadly to most birds. And it's deadly to humans and to other mammals that catch the virus from birds.
Treatment- if acted on quickly you can take antibiotics such as Zanamivir which cures type A and B influenza. If not acted on quickly the person or persons may be put in containment and watched by doctors.
Cause- birds become infected when they have contact with the virus as it is shed by infected birds. They also can become infected through contact with surfaces that are contaminated with virus from infected birds. After bird is infected it will then usually spread to another animal or humans.