Avian Bird Flu Influenza
What is The Avian Bird Flu Influenza?
Avian bird flu influenza, or more commonly named “bird
flu”, is a viral illness which usually strikes only
birds.
Basically, avian bird flu influenza will affect all types
of birds, from wild fowl to domestic poultry. Still, it is
not rare for certain types of wild birds to carry the virus
without showing any symptoms, and for domestic chickens and
other poultry to fall very ill and even die because of the
virus. There are many different strains of avian bird flu
influenza. The viruses which are called highly pathogenic
are considered extremely contagious and dangerous to birds.
These strains of avian bird flu influenza have the ability
to sweep clean the whole communities of birds or domestic
poultry farms very quickly, can even be as quick as within
48 hours. Other strains are considered to be low pathogenic.
These strains appear with much softer symptoms, such as ruffled
feathers or less eggs laid.
Although avian bird flu influenza is most often happen only
to bird populations, there are certain cases where the virus
can hop species to infect other animals and even humans. The
current avian bird flu influenza strain H5N1 which appeared
first in Asia in 2004 has infected a small human population.
The people who fell ill have been found to have come in direct
contact with the sick birds or the droppings of those birds.
Some of the people who contracted the illness have died. When
an avian bird flu influenza virus starts to infect humans,
it can mutate to allow for human-to-human transmission.
Should this mutation occur, an influenza pandemic could be
the result. While there has not been any proof of human-to-human
contact with the H5N1 strain which currently presents in Asia
and now Europe, the World Health Organization is watching
the disease very closely. The WHO advises countries and governments
on the proper procedures for containment and control of the
disease.
The WHO warns that if the current avian bird flu influenza
becomes a human viral strain, it will affect the humans globally.
Because of our ease in travel, the spread of the disease could
happen quickly and reach the far corners of the earth.
Due to this reason, the WHO has recommended that federal
and local governments to set up emergency plans to address
the needs of a pandemic should one occur. It also advises
individuals to keep a supply of non-perishable food, water,
medications and emergency supplies at home to be prepared
for any such emergency. In the case of a potential avian bird
flu influenza pandemic, the only way to go through the crisis
is through preparation.
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