Frequently Asked Questions on Avian Influenza

What is avian influenza?

How are avian, pandemic, and seasonal flu different?

Do bird flu viruses infect humans?

How many people have been affected?

How does bird flu spread?

How do humans catch bird flu?

Do migratory birds spread highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses?

What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?

Is there a vaccine to protect humans from H5N1 virus?

Is it safe to eat poultry and poultry products?

How serious is the current pandemic risk?

Is there any treatment of Bird Flu?

What should be taken?



What is avian influenza?

• Avian influenza, or “bird flu”, is a contagious disease of animals caused by type A (H5N1) strains of the influenza virus that normally infects only birds and less commonly, pigs. The disease, first identified in Italy more than 100 years ago, occurs worldwide.
   
• Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.
   
• It spreads very rapidly through poultry flocks, causes disease affecting multiple internal organs, and has a mortality that can approach 100%, often within 48 hours.
   
• Migratory wildfowl, notably wild ducks, are natural carriers of the viruses, but are unlikely to actually develop an infection.
   
• Domestic birds are particularly susceptible in epidemics.

How are avian, pandemic, and seasonal flu different?

Avian flu is caused by avian influenza viruses, which occur naturally among birds.

Pandemic flu is flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness that spreads easily from person to person. Currently there is no pandemic flu.

Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.
 

Do bird flu viruses infect humans?

Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since December 2003.

How many people have been affected?

As of 30 January 2006, there had been 160 laboratory confirmed cases of avian flu in humans in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Turkey and China, leading to 85 deaths.
 

How does bird flu spread?

Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated excretions or surfaces that are contaminated with excretions. It is believed that most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.


How do humans catch bird flu?

Humans catch the disease through close contact with live infected birds.
Birds excrete the virus in their faeces, which dry and become pulverized, and are then inhaled.


Do migratory birds spread highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses?

Recent events make it likely that some migratory birds are now directly spreading the H5N1 virus in its highly pathogenic form. Further spread to new areas is expected.


What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?

Symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of bird flu may depend on which virus caused the infection.


Is there a vaccine to protect humans from H5N1 virus?

There currently is no commercially available vaccine to protect humans against the H5N1 virus that is being seen in Asia and Europe . However, vaccine development efforts are taking place. Research studies to test a vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus began in April 2005, and a series of clinical trials is underway.


Is it safe to eat poultry and poultry products?

Yes, though certain precautions should be followed in countries currently experiencing outbreaks. In areas free of the disease, poultry and poultry products can be prepared and consumed as usual, with no fear of acquiring infection with the H5N1 virus.

In areas experiencing outbreaks, poultry and poultry products can also be safely consumed provided these items are properly cooked and properly handled during food preparation. The H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat. Normal temperatures used for cooking (70oC in all parts of the food) will kill the virus. Consumers need to be sure that all parts of the poultry are fully cooked and that eggs, too, are properly cooked.


How serious is the current pandemic risk?

The risk of pandemic influenza is serious. With the H5N1 virus now firmly entrenched in large parts of Asia, the risk that more human cases will occur will persist. Each additional human case gives the virus an opportunity to improve its transmissibility in humans, and thus develop into a pandemic strain. The recent spread of the virus to poultry and wild birds in new areas further broadens opportunities for human cases to occur. While neither the timing nor the severity of the next pandemic can be predicted, the probability that a pandemic will occur has increased.


Is there any treatment of Bird Flu?

There currently is no vaccine to protect Avian Influenza, but discover a drug named ‘Tamiflu’ in limited amount, which is very costly and not easily available. But the drug is highly effective to protect the disease.


What should be taken?

• In each and every winter season, different type of migratory birds visit in some lacks, Beel in Bangladesh mainly from Siberia and China. But it observed cautiously, our countries domestic poultry or poultry in farm no comes in contact with them.
• Strictly ban to hunting migratory birds by any means.
• If a bird died in any place, burn/grave in the earth very cautiously without delay.
• Watching it to prohibited hunting, purchasing-selling migratory bird in market or any other places. And also avoid this type of work by us.
• Should be Avoid to touching of infected poultry or contaminated surface.
• Wearing mask, washing hands, if possible bathing should be done after look after poultry.
• To keep safe distance poultry farm from migratory birds.
• To prohibit importing poultry, even pet birds from bird flu infected country.