You touch an infected bird. You go into a building that has infected birds or droppings from infected birds. You eat raw or undercooked meat or eggs from infected birds. How is avian flu diagnosed? Avian flu is commonly diagnosed during a visit to the doctor. Your doctor will examine you and ask you questions about your symptoms. They will ask you about recent events that may have put you in contact with a contaminated bird or human. Lab tests are needed to confirm the virus. Your doctor will take a sample of mucus from your nose or the back of your throat with a long cotton swab. That swab will be sent to the lab for testing. Can avian flu be prevented or avoided? The best way to avoid the virus is to avoid direct contact with birds in high-risk areas. This includes when traveling to the countries most affected and visiting live-animal markets. Avoiding contact with a human known to have the virus also is a good way to avoid illness. As with all viruses, regular hand washing is the best way to control your exposure.
For Quick Alerts Subscribe Now ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS Bird flu also called avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus [1]. The infection can result in the development of symptoms in birds, ranging from a mild illness to a rapidly fatal epidemic. Since February 2020, India has been reporting an increasing number of bird flu cases where the country noted two outbreaks of a highly contagious bird flu virus in the southern state of Kerala [2]. In a recent report, different states in North and South India have confirmed Avian Flu, with 1, 800 migratory birds found dead in Himachal and a high alert has been issued after an outbreak was confirmed in certain parts of Kottayam and Alappuzha districts in Kerala. As per reports from the Indian Ministry of Agriculture, the virus killed about 15, 000 infected ducks in Kottayam and another 500 in nearby Alappuzha. The report stated the animals died of an H5 strain of the flu virus but did not specify the exact variant.
What a doctor can do Tell the doctor if you have: recently travelled to an area affected by bird flu and if you've been close (within 1 metre) to live or dead birds had close contact (touching or speaking distance) with anyone who has a severe respiratory illness had contact with anyone who died unexpectedly and was from an area that had an outbreak These tests can be done to confirm bird flu: a nose and throat swab to see if they contain the virus if you're coughing up phlegm this may be tested for the virus If the tests are normal, it's unlikely you have bird flu. Treatment for bird flu If it's thought you might have symptoms of bird flu you'll be advised to stay at home, or you'll be cared for in hospital in isolation from other patients. You may be given an antiviral medicine such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). Antiviral medicines help reduce the severity of the condition, prevent complications and improve the chances of survival. They are also sometimes given to people who have been in close contact with infected birds, or those who have had contact with infected people, for example family or healthcare staff.
The pattern of human transmission remains mysterious. In very few instances, bird flu has been transmitted from one human to another. But unless the virus begins to spread more easily among people, infected birds present the greatest hazard. Complications People with bird flu may develop life-threatening complications, including: Pneumonia Pink eye (conjunctivitis) Respiratory failure Kidney dysfunction Heart problems Although bird flu may kill more than half the people it infects, the number of fatalities is still low because so few people have had bird flu. Fewer than 500 bird flu deaths have been reported to the World Health Organization since 1997. In contrast, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that seasonal influenza is responsible for thousands of deaths each year in the United States alone. Prevention Bird flu vaccine The Food and Drug Administration has approved one vaccine to prevent infection with one strain of H5N1 bird flu virus. This vaccine isn't available to the public, but the U. S. government is stockpiling it and will distribute it in the event of an outbreak.
This is because both human and avian viruses can infect pigs. If a pig is infected with both viruses at the same time, different parts of the avian and human viruses can mix with each other. Later, the avian virus that has picked up some genes from the human form of the influenza virus is able to more easily cause the condition in humans. Human to human transmission: Although the vast majority of human cases of bird flu are the result of direct contact with an infected bird, rare cases of direct human-to-human spread have been reported. Symptoms and Complications Symptoms of the condition in birds depend on the pathogenicity of the virus that infects a bird. A virus that is not highly pathogenic causes mild illness. This form of the condition produces ruffled feathers or a decrease in egg production in infected birds. The highly pathogenic form of the virus can kill so quickly that once the virus enters the bird, the bird may die the same day. In humans, bird flu causes symptoms similar to the typical flu.
A swab is taken from the upper respiratory tract (nose or throat).
Coughing: It is best to cough into an elbow or tissue and carefully dispose of used tissues — also, touching a surface after coughing into the hands can leave the virus on the surface, allowing it to spread. Isolation: Those who have symptoms should stay away from public places and avoid contact with people, whenever possible. The WHO explain that the seasonal flu vaccine does not protect people from H5N1 avian flu. Precautions around birds When preparing meals, do not use the same utensils for cooked and raw meats. Before and after handling raw poultry, it is essential to wash the hands with soap and water. Avoid dead or sick birds. To remove dead birds, call the relevant local authority. People who work with domestic birds should follow local and national guidelines. Anyone traveling to an area in which avian flu may be active should avoid: bird feces live animal markets poultry farms Being aware of the risks of infections — and taking all necessary precautions — is an effective way to avoid these illnesses.
And in a few cases, a mild eye infection (conjunctivitis) is the only indication of the disease. When to see a doctor See your doctor immediately if you develop a fever, cough and body aches and have recently traveled to a part of the world where bird flu occurs. Be sure to let your doctor know if you visited any farms or open-air markets. Causes Bird flu occurs naturally in wild waterfowl and can spread into domestic poultry, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. The disease is transmitted via contact with an infected bird's feces, or secretions from its nose, mouth or eyes. Open-air markets, where eggs and birds are sold in crowded and unsanitary conditions, are hotbeds of infection and can spread the disease into the wider community. Undercooked poultry meat or eggs from infected birds can transmit bird flu. Poultry meat is safe to eat if it's been cooked to an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C). Eggs should be cooked until the yolks and whites are firm. Risk factors The greatest risk factor for bird flu seems to be contact with sick birds or with surfaces contaminated by their feathers, saliva or droppings.
This includes: touching infected birds touching droppings or bedding killing or preparing infected poultry for cooking Markets where live birds are sold can also be a source of bird flu. Avoid visiting these markets if you're travelling to countries that have had an outbreak of bird flu. You can't catch bird flu through eating fully cooked poultry or eggs, even in areas with an outbreak of bird flu.