CAJ - H5N1 virus - AVIAN FLU or BIRD FLU

History

It all began in 1997 when the H5N1 virus, which is highly pathogenic, first infected humans during a poultry outbreak in Hong Kong.

Since 2003 the virus has spread throughout south-east Asia and to several other regions of the globe. As it in some countries became entrenched in poultry, millions of poultry was infected which also led to hundreds of human cases and even deaths.

These outbreaks had serious effects on livelihoods, the economy and international trade in the affected countries.

Causes and Spread

Wild birds were infected by the H5N1 virus and transmitted the disease to farm-raised birds, like chicken, turkeys, ducks, etc. When people get in contact with these animals, it is more likely to become infected. However, the virus can also be passed through bird droppings and their saliva on cages, tractors and so on. As far as the spread from human to human is concerned, it is rather unlikely to contract avian flu from an infected person.

Fortunately, people also do not have to be afraid of eating fully cooked poultry since the virus is killed by the heat.

Symptoms

The first symptoms of the bird flu, which usually begin within two to five days of infection, resemble those of the common flu: cough, fever, muscle aches and sore throat. Some people also suffer from a mild eye infection which is the only indication of the disease. Apart from that, the bird flu can progress to pneumonia as well as ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) and leads to death after about 9-10 days if no doctor is consulted.

Treatment

The disease’s treatment depends on what the H5N1 virus is doing to your body. Sometimes, plain antiviral medicines are prescribed in order to feel better. However, experts are concerned that these medicines are effective because viruses become resistant in the course of time.

Infected patients usually are treated in an isolation room so that the risk of passing the illness on is lowered. Moreover, the hospital staff is required to wear gloves and gowns when a patient is treated. Due to breathing problems, patients, in some cases, get a ventilator, a specific machine that helps a person breathe or breathes for the person. Other patients, in turn, may need dialysis, a treatment for kidney failure.

Sadly, more than 50% of H5N1 infections cannot be cured and lead to death.