What is bird flu?

Avian Influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. There are 15 known subtypes. All birds appear to be susceptible, though some species are more resistant than others. It is also called Bird Flu.

Recent research has shown that viruses of low pathogenicity (mild infection, less contagious) can quickly mutate into highly pathogenic (highly contagious, rapidly fatal) viruses.

To date, all outbreaks of the highly pathogenic form have been caused by variants of the H5 and H7 subtypes.

There have been several outbreaks recently of the H5N1 avian infection in poultry flocks, including countries which have also reported cases in humans.

How is avian influenza transmitted?

Birds that are infected with avian influenza viruses can shed virus in saliva, nasal secretions, and feces.It is believed that most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.

In such situations, people should avoid contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces, and should be careful when handling and cooking poultry.

Strict hand hygiene must also be performed. Other means of transmission are possible, such as the virus becoming aerosolized and landing on exposed surfaces of the mouth, nose, eyes, or being inhaled.

 Risks

Avian influenza does not normally infect species other than birds and pigs. The first documented infection of humans with an avian flu virus occurred in Hong Kong. The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that the risk of direct transmission of H5N1 infection from birds to humans is greatest in persons having direct contact with live infected poultry.

H5N1 is of particular concern as it mutates rapidly and has a documented propensity to aquire genes from viruses infecting other animal species. It has the ability to cause sever disease in humans.

H5N1 variants demonstrated a capacity to directly infect humans in 1997, and again in 2004. The spread of infections in birds increases the opportunities for direct infection of humans.

If more humans become infected over time, the likelihood also increases that humans, if infected with human and avian strains of flu at the same time, could serve as a 'mixing vessel' for the emergence of a new subtype with sufficient human genes to be easily transmitted from person to person.

Such an event would mark the start of an influenza pandemic. Health officials have warned that if the avian virus mutates to allow human transmission, it could make the disease a bigger health crisis that SARS, creating a lethal pathogen that could spread round the globe within months.

 Symptons

In previous outbreaks, humans who caught the H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza reported symptoms of fever, sore throat, cough and in several of the fatal cases, severe respiratory disease second to viral pneumonia.

Antiviral drugs, some of which can be used for both treatment and prevention, are clinically effective against influenza A virus strains, but have some limitations. The drugs are expensive and supplies are limited.

It is estimated that at least four months would be needed to produce a new vaccine in significant enough quantities capable of conferring protection against a new virus subtype. WHO is moving forward with the procedures needed to rapidly produce a new influenza vaccine capable of protecting humans against the H5N1 strain of avian influenza.

goggles.
rubber or polyurethane boots that can be disinfected or protective foot covers that can be discarded.
All persons who have been in close contact with infected animals/ people should wash their hands frequently with soap and water. Cullers and transporters should disinfect their hands after the operation.

 Prevention

At this time there is no known cure for H5N1 avian influenza. As stated WHO therefore recommends avoiding contact with infected poultry. For those in potential contact with the virus, WHO recommends:-

protective clothing, preferably coveralls plus an impermeable apron or surgical gowns with long cuffed sleeves plus an impermeable apron
heavy duty rubber work gloves that may be disinfected.
respirator masks are preferred, P2 non-valved or above.
goggles.
rubber or polyurethane boots that can be disinfected or protective foot covers that can be discarded.
All persons who have been in close contact with infected animals/ people should wash their hands frequently with soap and water. Cullers and transporters should disinfect their hands after the operation.

 Contacts

If you are at all concerned or wish to discuss any of the above information further, please contact : -

World Health Organisation - http://www.who.int/en/

Department of Health - http://www.dh.gov.uk/Home/fs/en

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