Story Content

Bird flu virus, also known as Avian influenza virus, is the viral infection that primarily affects birds. Different strains of virus are found and among them H5N1 strain not only infect birds but also affect humans and other animals like dogs, horse, pigs etc. According to the Union health ministry, no case of bird flu in humans has been detected so far in India. 

Recently, bird flu has been reported in 10 states across India including Kerala, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Punjab, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, whereas 12 states have reported confirmed cases in crow, migratory and other wild birds which includes Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, UP, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.

From where the Bird Flu originated and how it spreads?

The H5N1 virus was first detected in 1996, an in commercial geese in the Guangdong Province, China and in human in 1997 during poultry outbreak in Hong Kong and in 2013 in China and since then, continuous spread occurred in more than 50 countries including Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. In January 2014, Canada reported the first human infection with Asian H5N1 virus in the Americas. Although, humans are unlikely to transmit bird flu unless they have been in contact with infected birds. Transmission also seems to occur in other mammals such as horse, dogs, pigs and cats.

From water birds to long distance traveling migrating birds, these spread the viruses to domestic poultry such as chickens, ducks, as well as to wild birds, terrestrial birds, as they carry the flu virus in their droppings and excrete while flying, “shedding aerosol of influenza virus, spreading all over the world”, said by Vincent Racaniello, American virology professor. 

Symptoms of bird flu

• In Humans: - From common to severe symptoms of bird flu or avian influenza includes cough, fever, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, Nausea, eye infections, pneumonia, abdominal pain, diarrhea to acute respiratory distress (ARDS) and breathing problem.
• In Birds: - The symptoms and their intensity in various birds vary greatly, depending on the strain of the virus and the bird types. Bird flu infection with avian influenza A virus (for example, H5 and H7 strains) can cause widespread disease and deaths among some wild bird’s species and in domesticated birds especially such as chickens and turkeys.

Control and Prevention of Flu                         

No case of bird flu viral infection in humans are reported yet but as per CDC (Centers of Disease control) and WHO reports, sporadic infection can occur in humans working in poultry farm, so it is advisable to take precautionary measures to avoid any chance of infection. People who work at the poultry industry are strictly advised to practice hand hygiene and wear PPEs (personal protective equipment). Moreover, antiviral drugs are recommended for consumption to cure bird flu symptoms at least for 5 days or till the symptoms improved as said by WHO.

The other process of killing infected birds in different areas of outbreak are also taking place in different parts of the world. Apart from killing, safe disposal of all killed animals and animal products is also important followed by decontamination of infected premises is also advised.

• Avoid any exposure from poultry or wild birds or surfaces which seems to be contaminated with faeces as the infected birds shed bird flu virus in their saliva, mucous and faeces. Report says that human infections with bird flu viruses are rare, but chances of infection are high when enough viruses enters through person’s eyes, nose, mouth.
• In addition, CDC recommends that it is safe to eat properly cooked poultry and poultry products. According to the World Health organization (WHO), properly cooked poultry birds (e.g. chicken, ducks and geese) at or above 70 degrees Celsius, kills the virus and then it is safe to eat.

Treatment and Medicines

Many influenza viruses have become resistant to different categories of antiviral drugs that includes Amantadine and Rimantadine (Flumadine). According to the Union health ministry, Antiviral drugs, especially Tamiflu (oseltamivir), performed better compared to other antiviral drugs. In US, the FDA approved a vaccine for the H5N1 virus in 2007. Health officials recommend Relenza (zanamivir) (if oseltamivir can't be used), must be taken within two days after the appearance of symptoms.

Among poultry birds, vaccination strategies advised by the WHO can be used to prevent the flu. Many organisation recommends eradicating the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus at its source to control the disease in avian species and further in humans.

Although, there is no specific vaccine available for the bird flu treatment, so it is advisable to avoid any contact from the infected source.