Avian Bird Flu - Information about the virus
The Avian Bird Flu is one of the viruses that is a part of the Influenza A virus. All of the subtypes of the Influenza A viruses area associated with birds which is why the Avian Bird Flu is also called the Influenza A virus. As of this year, 2006, the term Avian Bird Flu is the most common name used when referring to the infection from a subtype of the Influenza A virus, which his H5N1. H5N1 is currently the world’s biggest threat for a pandemic. Read more info on this site.
This virus was first identified in Italy in the early 1900’s. Little was it known back then that it would be as widely known as it is today.
How does the Avian Bird Flu spread? It usually spreads through the air and through manure particles. Wild birds and chickens are often the carriers and they end up spreading it. It can also be spread through feed that is contaminated with the virus, through water, equipment and clothing. It is important to know though that as of right now, there is no evidence that the virus can spread through meat that is contaminated. The incubation period of the Avian Bird Flu is anywhere from three to five days. The symptoms vary in animals but death can be imminent within a few days.
Avian Bird Flu spreads very rapidly among animals, but it doesn’t infect humans as easily. To date, there is no evidence that confirms any transmission from human to human. From people who have been infected from contaminated animals, they symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough and in some severe cases, they’ve had pneumonia. There weren’t any deaths that were known from the Avian Bird Flu until 1997 when it was made public that six individuals died in Hong Kong as a result of the H5N1 strain.
In 2004, there was a new outbreak of the H5N1 strain of the Avian Bird Flu in both Vietnam and Thailand’s poultry industry. Within only a few weeks, the virus spread to other nations which included Asia, South Korea, Japan and China. There is a major world wide fear that if the Avian Bird Flu shifts to a human influenza virus that the new subtype would be both highly contagious and deadly. This is why a global influenza pandemic is feared among humans.
There are antiviral drugs which have been tested and approved to be clinically significant in preventing and treating the disease, but it is important to keep in mind that these take at least four months to produce and they have be specially prepared for each subtype of the Avian Bird Flu. Contact your local health department if you are seeking more information.