Over the past year, Bird Flu has been pasted on the headlines of every major media outlet in the nation. It seems like everybody is worried about it, but when I ask, no one can tell me exactly what it is. Is it as bad as everyone makes it out to be?
Bird flu which is also known as Avian flu, is a type of influenza that infects birds. The A type flu virus is most common in water fowl. Held in the intestine and then shed amongst other birds, the virus can spread rapidly, not affecting the host bird.
Although most common in water birds, domestic birds are susceptible to the Avian flu as well. According to the Center for Disease and Control, "Domesticated birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces (such as dirt or cages) or materials (such as water or feed) that have been contaminated with virus. People, vehicles, and other inanimate objects such as cages can be vectors for the spread of influenza virus from one farm to another. When this happens, avian influenza outbreaks can occur among poultry. "
Infection in humans occurs when direct contact is made with poultry or a contaminated surface. Symptoms for bird flu are the same as typical influenza including fever, sore throat, and body aches. Although the symptoms are the same as typical influenza, the affect of Avian flu can potentially be life threatening.
If you become infected with the Avian or are experiencing regular flu like symptoms, the Center for Disease and Control recommends that you consult your physician immediately. In this case, it is good to error on the side of caution than to leave a potentially fatal disease go untreated.
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In the 1330s, the bubonic plague killed millions of people. Transmitted by rats, the disease originated from China. It later spread to Europe when merchants came back from their long voyage from China. The disease was also spread by fleas that when passed on to humans, became fatal. The bubonic plague continued for years and took the lives of millions of people.
The global health community has been in a state of alarm due to recent outbreaks of the avian influenza disease in many parts of the world, particularly in Asia. The disease has infected humans, prompting many to believe that a global pandemic will soon occur. In the past decades, avian influenza has affected only birds and in some cases, pigs. Avian influenza does not normally affect humans but the first human case of avian influenza has been recently documented. Diseases previously known to only affect animals have crossed over to humans - avian influenza being one of these diseases. As a consequence, this crossing over has started many of the health pandemics that the world has suffered from for centuries.
The avian flu that has affected birds and people in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, is different from the flu that many people get during the cold-weather months. Poultry - like chickens and turkeys - tend to get infected with the bird flu by migrating waterfowl (like ducks, geese, and swans), and spread it to other birds through their infected feces, saliva, or secretions.
Avian flu is caused due to the H5N1 virus which is transmitted from the saliva, fecal matter of the birds. The disease is highly contagious and causes death of birds and poultry population. The virus is lethal and assumes the proportion of pandemic, which can wipe out the entire population of birds and poultry. The virus also spreads to the human beings if they are in contact with the sick bird or poultry. Human beings are also afflicted by the virus which can even be life threatening.
The avian bird flu has taken quite a few lives and could possibly be the next pandemic. The more you know, the better off you are.
Everywhere you turn you see it on the news. Bird flu is on the rise and people are scared. The Avian or Bird flu is commonly seen among wild birds. It is as typical as the human flu and is transmitted between birds. Find out the facts and you can protect your family.
Bird flu prevention and protection can help prepare you for an influenza pandemic if it were to occur right now. You should become knowledgeable about the magnitude of what can happen is there were a pandemic outbreak. Certain actions can help lesson the impact on your family.
