Bird flu or Avian Flu: 5 important facts you must know about

The scare of Avian influenza (commonly known as Bird flu) in some cities  has gripped the state as reports have confirmed that at least one chicken was infected with H5N1 virus. This was the first case in the city after a gap of five years, when bird flu was last reported in the city. Although there have been no positive cases. as per the reports, the government issued a notification declaring the area of 1 km radius from the chicken centre as infected zone and the area within the 10-km radius as surveillance zone. Here’s everything you need to know about bird flu.

#1. Avian influenza virus not only infects the birds and poultry but also infected humans. The virus has subtypes namely A(H5N1), A(H7N9), A(H5N8)and A(H9N2), of which type A H5N1 virus is one of the most pathogenic one.

#2. Bird flu in humans can be acquired either through direct contact with the infected animals or through contaminated environment. The majority of cases, reported so far, have been associated with direct or indirect contact with infected poultry, which is either dead or live. Hence, consumption of cooked meat (infected with the virus) also carried the risk of infection in humans.

#3. The incubation period for the avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infections in humans ranges from 2-5 days (however, in severe cases, it can range for 17 days). For infection with the A(H7N9) virus, the incubation period is 1-10 days. Hence, the symptoms of A(H5N1) infection include mild upper respiratory infections (fever and cough) to gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting) should not be ignored.

#4. The best and most effective way to prevent infection with avian influenza A virus is to avoid exposure with infected poultry (direct and close contact). Although antiviral drugs are used to treat influenza, it some cases it can also be used to prevent infection in people who have been exposed to the virus. 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.    
 
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