Bird Flu - The Lethal Menace

These days it seems that every one heard in India is "bird flu". The disease, which has captured much of India, has not only affected the country's poultry industry, but has also sent devastating rattles across the states - from Delhi in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south to West Bengal in the east, the hardest hit. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of bird flu in India at the moment the worst cases reported so far.

In affected areas, chickens are disposed of at a rapid pace, but the disease continues to spread its wings from one region to another, from state to state. One of the main causes of the rapid spread of bird flu is a lack of awareness about the virus that causes the disease. Almost everyone knows that the disease is deadly, but many do not know its causes, how it spreads, and how it can be prevented.

Taking into account the size and spread of the avian influenza virus that has had an impact in India, Indian newspaper headlines decided to give their readers an idea of ​​the disease, which first broke out in 1997 in Hong Kong, affecting 18 people and killing six people. People.

Avian influenza, also known as avian flu, is a virus caused by a bird flu virus. It may seem surprising, but the truth is that birds, like humans, are susceptible to the flu. Influenza viruses can be divided into three strains - Influenza A, B and C. Type A is responsible for deadly influenza epidemics. Type B can lead to a smaller and more local outbreak.  Usually species B and C are found only in humans, while type A affects both people and animals, including birds, pigs, horses, whales and seals.

H5N1 avian influenza, a type of influenza "A" caused. It usually affects chickens and other poultry such as ducks. However, the virus spread from birds to humans in 1997, when six people died in Hong Kong due to the disease. According to data provided by the World Health Organization on 1 February 2008, nearly 225 people worldwide have been affected by the disease over the past five years.

It should be noted here that although the bird flu virus is highly contagious, it rarely causes any damage to the carrier. Thus, even if the animal is infected with bird flu, it does not carry the "flu". Typically, an influenza virus is adapted by one type of bird and turns in turn to another type. This happens more with domestication of chickens and turkeys, because avian influenza virus acquired from a species is changing rapidly and affects other species as well. This rapid deployment can only be stopped by killing all local birds in the affected area.

H5N1 virus causes bird flu. H5N1, a highly contagious H5N1 virus, is a new bird flu virus that has been a global concern as a potential threat of an epidemic.

Over the years, H5N1 has evolved into a strain of influenza viruses that infect bird species more than any known virus strain. This strain is more deadly than any known strain of influenza viruses, and continues to evolve into a more widespread and deadly.

H5N1 has killed millions of poultry from Asia, Europe and Africa. Although human-to-human transmission is rare, recent human infections have left health officials worried. Health experts worry that the coexistence of human influenza viruses and avian influenza viruses (especially H5N1) will provide an opportunity to exchange genetic material among species viruses, which could create a new strain of deadly influenza viruses that can be easy and deadly. For humans.

With nearly all of the country's bird flu outbreaks, with 26 suspected people being isolated, the disease poses a potential threat to the country. The virus spreads like wildfire, and in order to prevent the disease from affecting humans, it is essential that we have a thorough understanding of how avian influenza affects humans, the symptoms of the disease, its treatment and prevention measures.
Avian flu is known to accommodate millions of domestic birds in one outbreak. More recently, we have been hearing about the bird flu virus that is attacking humans as well. Once the avian influenza virus becomes in the human body, it makes the patient infected with the disease. In some cases, it also causes death.

At a time when the risk of bird flu is in the hands of India, we must be careful to protect ourselves from avian influenza virus. In order to do this, you must understand how avian influenza affects humans. Read, and see the effects of the H5N1 strain on humans.

During the spread of avian influenza, human infection is very rare, where there is a large barrier between species between birds and humans. However, the virus that causes infection in birds is capable of altering or mutating human injury. Since the first case of the H5N1 virus in 1997, there has been an increasing number of cases of bird-to-human transmission, resulting in serious and clinically fatal injuries. Health officials are concerned that this transition from birds to humans can lead to an epidemic or outbreak of disease worldwide.

During bird flu outbreaks, people who are in contact with infected birds can get the disease. Avian flu can also be infected by eating poorly cooked poultry or by contacting someone. Bird flu affects people with the disease, and in extreme cases, can cause death.

Bird flu transmission can occur from one person to another in the following cases:

Get rid of birds Virus: Infected birds steal the virus in their droppings, saliva and nasal secretions and even in their blades. A person may be infected by close contact with any of these, or even by touching an infected bird.

The virus spreads to domesticated birds: local poultry are infected with infected birds, contaminated water, feed, or soil. Bird flu spreads rapidly within the local herd and is inadvertently transferred from farm to farm on equipment, cages, workers' shoes and clothing. Heat destroys the virus, but it can survive long periods at moderate temperatures.
Markets provide human pathways: foreign markets, where eggs and birds are sold in overcrowded and unhealthy conditions, and are widespread in the wider community.

Migration of humans and birds: The ease of travel around the world has the potential to spread avian flu worldwide. The infected person may be transferred to another area from an infected area to another area. Similarly, migratory birds can transmit the virus from the continent to the continent along the airways.
Signs and symptoms of bird flu in humans:

In humans, the virus usually develops within one to five days of exposure to infected birds. Once the virus is developed in the human body, some changes in the health of the affected person are observed. Common symptoms of avian influenza are:

Cough

Homa

Sore throat

Muscular pain

Light eye infection

In rare cases, you may notice some severe symptoms. here they are:

Viral pneumonia

Acute respiratory distress - the most common cause of death associated with bird flu.

However, bird flu can not be diagnosed by symptoms alone. Therefore, a laboratory test is required.

Treatment of bird flu:

The primary treatment option for avian influenza in humans is fluus oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which works to prevent the virus from multiplying. However, tamiflu may not always work, as avian influenza viruses may become resistant to the drug. Drugs must be taken within two days after the onset of symptoms. These medications are barely available, and many people are dying due to Tamiflu deficiency.
Prevention of bird flu:

The avian influenza vaccine is the latest way to prevent H5N1 infection in humans. In April 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first human vaccine to prevent infection with a single strain of the H5N1 virus. This new vaccine against bird flu is not available to the public, but the US government stores it and distributes it in case of an outbreak.

The avian influenza vaccine aims to help protect adults between the ages of 18 and 64 and can be used early in the outbreak to provide limited protection until another vaccine is developed and produced - designed to protect against the specific form of the virus that causes the outbreak.

Besides the vaccine, the first and most important way to prevent bird flu, according to the World Health Organization, is to treat and cook poultry carefully. The heat destroys the virus, so cooked poultry do not pose a health threat. However, caring for and cleaning poultry is also important.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after handling poultry and raw eggs, and dry them with one towel.

Cleaning of cutting boards and other tools with soap and hot water to prevent raw poultry from contaminating other foods.

Use the food thermometer to make sure the poultry are cooked to a minimum temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cook the chicken until the juices are clear, and reach an internal temperature of not less than 165 ° F (74 ° C).

Cook eggs until eggs and yolks are fixed.

Prevention for Travelers:

Since avian influenza is highly contagious, it may affect the person traveling to an affected area. By following some public health regulations, travelers can prevent infection and spread the disease through them. These regulations include:

Avoid domesticated birds: if possible, avoid rural areas and small farms especially any close contact with domestic birds.

Avoid outdoor markets: These can be interesting places to visit, but they are often fertile ground for disease.

When you are traveling, disinfectants containing alcohol containing at least 60% alcohol are an excellent option. They are effective and easy to use and do not need water, which is safe for children.

Watch your children: Watch young children who are likely to put their hands in their mouths and who may not wash well.

Keep away from raw eggs: Because egg shells are often contaminated with bird droppings. Also, avoid mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce, ice cream, and any other foods containing raw or poorly cooked eggs.

Ask about the flu vaccine. Before traveling, ask your doctor about the vaccine. May not protect you in particular from avian influenza, but it may help reduce the risk of concurrent infection with avian and human influenza viruses.

Three or four times each century, the flu epidemic is sweeping the world, claiming millions of lives. We humans, we can not stop the spread of a disease, but we can certainly prevent infection and treatment. All we have to do is educate ourselves, our family and our care. So, take care of yourself, and keep healthy!