Avian influenza
DEFINITION
Avian influenza (bird flu) is an infectious disease of birds
caused by type-A strains of the influenza virus. In rare cases,
Bird flu can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected
birds.
caused by type-A strains of the influenza virus. In rare cases,
Bird flu can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected
birds.
DESCRIPTION
Since 2003, cases of humans infected with Avian influenza have
been confirmed in Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China,
Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia (including Bali), Iraq, Laos, Burma,
Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. Avian influenza
rarely infects humans, however 295 out of 499 people infected with
the disease since 2003 have died.
been confirmed in Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China,
Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia (including Bali), Iraq, Laos, Burma,
Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. Avian influenza
rarely infects humans, however 295 out of 499 people infected with
the disease since 2003 have died.
Strains of the Avian influenza virus occur naturally in
birds and are primarily found among migratory waterfowl such as
wild ducks. Wild birds worldwide carry these viruses without
becoming sick. Avian influenza is very contagious among birds and
can kill domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and
turkeys. Direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and
objects contaminated by their faeces, is presently considered the
main cause of human infection.
birds and are primarily found among migratory waterfowl such as
wild ducks. Wild birds worldwide carry these viruses without
becoming sick. Avian influenza is very contagious among birds and
can kill domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and
turkeys. Direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and
objects contaminated by their faeces, is presently considered the
main cause of human infection.
The concern is that the H5N1 strain may undergo genetic
changes that could enable it to spread easily from person to
person. At the moment, the H5N1 virus does not infect humans
easily, and if a person is infected, it is very difficult for the
virus to spread to another person.
changes that could enable it to spread easily from person to
person. At the moment, the H5N1 virus does not infect humans
easily, and if a person is infected, it is very difficult for the
virus to spread to another person.
CONTROL
The quarantining of infected farms and destruction of infected
or potentially exposed flocks are standard control measures aimed
at preventing spread to other farms. Workers involved in the
culling of poultry flocks must be protected by proper clothing and
equipment against infection. These workers also receive antiviral
drugs as a preventative measure.
or potentially exposed flocks are standard control measures aimed
at preventing spread to other farms. Workers involved in the
culling of poultry flocks must be protected by proper clothing and
equipment against infection. These workers also receive antiviral
drugs as a preventative measure.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Illness seems to develop within one to five days of exposure
to the virus. Sometimes the only indication of the disease is a
relatively mild eye infection (conjunctivitis). More often,
signs and symptoms of bird flu resemble those of regular influenza,
including:
to the virus. Sometimes the only indication of the disease is a
relatively mild eye infection (conjunctivitis). More often,
signs and symptoms of bird flu resemble those of regular influenza,
including:
- Cough
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- Headache
People with the most virulent type of bird flu virus, H5N1,
may develop life-threatening complications, particularly viral
pneumonia and acute respiratory distress, the most common cause of
Bird flu-related deaths.
may develop life-threatening complications, particularly viral
pneumonia and acute respiratory distress, the most common cause of
Bird flu-related deaths.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
See your Doctor immediatley if you have recently traveled to a
part of the world where Bird flu occurs, and you develop flu
symptoms, including a fever, cough and body aches. Be sure to let
your Doctor know when and where you were travelling and whether you
visited any farms or open-air markets. Doctors have rapid tests to
identify the normal flu virus, but these tests cannot distinguish
between Bird flu and other influenza A viruses. For that reason,
specimens from anyone with a suspected case of bird flu are sent to
a specialist laboratory for analysis.
part of the world where Bird flu occurs, and you develop flu
symptoms, including a fever, cough and body aches. Be sure to let
your Doctor know when and where you were travelling and whether you
visited any farms or open-air markets. Doctors have rapid tests to
identify the normal flu virus, but these tests cannot distinguish
between Bird flu and other influenza A viruses. For that reason,
specimens from anyone with a suspected case of bird flu are sent to
a specialist laboratory for analysis.
A vaccine against Bird flu is in development, but is not
currently available. The current influenza vaccines will not
protect humans against Bird flu. . People, however, who may be
exposed to Bird flu should consider being vaccinated against human
influenza viruses to reduce the risk of the viruses ‘mixing’ to
form a new flu strain. Antiviral drugs, some of which can be used
for both treatment and prevention, are clinically effective against
influenza A virus strains in otherwise healthy adults and children.
These drugs have some limitations that can be discussed with your
Doctor.
currently available. The current influenza vaccines will not
protect humans against Bird flu. . People, however, who may be
exposed to Bird flu should consider being vaccinated against human
influenza viruses to reduce the risk of the viruses ‘mixing’ to
form a new flu strain. Antiviral drugs, some of which can be used
for both treatment and prevention, are clinically effective against
influenza A virus strains in otherwise healthy adults and children.
These drugs have some limitations that can be discussed with your
Doctor.
PREVENTION
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that travellers
to areas experiencing outbreaks of this disease in poultry should
avoid contact with live animal markets and poultry farms. Large
amounts of the virus are known to be excreted in the droppings from
infected birds. - Having close contact with infected birds puts people at risk of
contracting avian influenza. The virus does not spread
easily from birds to people. There is a very low risk
of contracting the disease from occasional contact with an infected
bird such as when traveling on public transport. - Influenza viruses are destroyed by heat. As a precaution,
travellers should ensure that all foods from poultry, including
eggs, have been thoroughly cooked. - If you are travelling overseas, ask your Doctor
about whether you should be vaccinated against influenza and about
the use of influenza antiviral medications. - Your Doctor can advise you on ways to reduce the risk of
contracting infections while you are travelling.
PHARMACIST’S ADVICE
Ask your Pharmacist for advice
- Use a germicidal hand wash or gel frequently throughout the day
to keep your hands clean. Ask your Pharmacist about a germicidal
hand wash that can be used without water. - It is advisable to always use your own towel when travelling,
especially when using a public bathroom. - Antiseptic wipes are available from your Pharmacy. These are
useful for cleaning your hands and hard surfaces such as benches
and door handles, when soap and clean water are not available. - If you are forced to travel in close contact with a person
(within one metre) who has flu-like symptoms, use a facemask or
handkerchief over your mouth and nose to help prevent infection.
Facemasks are available from your Pharmacy.
