Question

Discuss in brief about 'Avian flu'.

Answer 1

• Avian flu or Bird flu is an infectious viral disease of birds (especially wild waterfowl such as ducks and geese).
• It was first recorded in Italy in 1878.
• In 1955, it was discovered that virus causing Avian flu was an Influenza virus.
• Bird flu is similar to swine flu, dog flu, horse flu and human flu as an illness caused by strains of influenza viruses that have adapted to a specific host.
• The causative organism of avian flu disease is the H5N1 virus.
• Birds infected with H5N1 virus continue to release the virus in feces and saliva for as long as 10 days.
• It can be spread through touching contaminated surfaces.
• Symptoms of Avian flu include high temperature, sore throat, headache, tiredness, limb or joint pain, diarrhoea or stomach upset, sneezing, loss of appetite, acute respiratory distress, insomnia, malaise, muscle aches.
• This disease is transmitted to humans through contact with infected birds feces, saliva, nasal secretions or secretions from mouth or eyes.
• Treatment includes antiviral medications such as Oseltamivir and Zanamivir.