The Bird flu viruses are highly unstable and have the ability to mutate rapidly, potentially jumping from one animal species
to another. Scientists fear the bird flu virus could evolve into a form that is easily spread between people, resulting in an extremely contagious and lethal disease. This could happen if someone already infected with the human flu virus catches the bird flu. Here’s everything you need to know about this problem.
The Bird Flu Facts
- Problem Definition: Avian influenza known world wide as bird flu is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. There is al least 15 different types of avian influenza that routinely infect birds around the globe.
- Symptoms: Infection causes a wide spectrum of symptoms in birds, ranging from mild illness to a highly contagious and rapidly fatal disease resulting in severe epidemics causing 100 % mortality rate.
- Duration of Problem: In absence of prompt control measure backed by good surveillance, epidemics can last for years.
- Exposure: Migratory birds, chicken, wild duck & pigs are the natural reservoir of the bird flu viruses. Live bird market also play an important role in the spread of epidemics.
The Bird Flu
Prevention &
Treatment - The Treatment: Currently there is no vaccine; however, the newer flu drugs like Tamilflu and Relenza are expected to work. Currently there is no vaccine or treatment available worldwide.
- Prevention: Destruction of the potential infected flocks and other animals is the only prevention method to prevent a major outbreak of this epidemic.
- Precautions: Stringent sanitary measures on farms, can some how control the spread of the epidemic.
- Helpful Supplies: There are no helpful supplies for the bird flu.
The Bird Flu Concerns
- Level of Seriousness: Fatal, spread very fast, if infected there is 100 % death rate.
- Lasting Consequences: If not controlled, the poultry farms have to be destroyed, to protect human from being infected.
- Genetics: Normally the bird flu viruses do not infect species other that birds and pigs.
- Lifestyle Accommodations: No, there is no long-term dietary or activity level changes necessary to maintain.
- Expense: You will loose your loved one, if infected with these deadly viruses.