AVIAN FLU Avian flu is an infection that affects birds, thus also called as bird flu.

It is caused by a type of influenza virus. You must be wondering why are we discussing a disease that affects birds. This is because this virus has the ability to infect humans and lead to a fatal infection. It is a type of zoonotic infection. The virus tends to mutate and develop the ability to infect humans leading to not just a few isolated cases, but a worldwide epidemic of avian flu in humans. WHAT IS AVIAN FLU? Avian flu is an infectious disease that is caused by influenza virus called the bird flu virus. It generally infects domestic poultry birds like chickens, ducks, etc. It can even infect pigs in some cases leading to Swine Flu. When this virus undergoes mutation, it leads to avian flu in humans. Avian flu spreads through bird to bird contact. The nasal and respiratory secretions of infected birds spreading to a healthy bird leads to an infection. Other ways of infection include birds coming in contact with feces, feed, water, equipments contaminated by an infected bird. An infected bird shows the following signs and symptoms of flu: Loss of appetite Swelling of combs, legs Lack of energy Dirty feathers Purple discoloration of combs Diarrhea Coughing Sneezing Sudden death WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF AVIAN FLU IN HUMANS? Avian flu in humans is caused by the H5N1 influenza A virus. This disease is transmitted to humans by contact with an infected bird. People who work closely with the birds like poultry farm workers, sellers of poultry products in open-air markets, as well as people who bring home poultry for food. The nasal and respiratory secretions from the infected bird or its feces help in the spread of the virus in the human body. Avian flu does not spread by eating poultry products. It cannot pass from an infected person to a healthy person. In rare cases, very close contact with an infected person has led to person-to-person infection. Till the virus does not mutate into a human flu virus, casual contact with an infected person will not lead to the spread of infection. SYMPTOMS OF AVIAN FLU Avian flu symptoms tend to vary person to person. The first sign of avian flu is general flulike symptoms. These symptoms may suddenly change into a more severe form that includes: High fever of about 100.4 F (38 C) or more Sore throat

Dry cough Chills Muscle pain Chills Sneezing Difficulty Sleeping Lethargy Diarrhea Runny nose Joint pain

The symptoms may appear in about 3 to 5 days after infection. These symptoms last for about a week. If left untreated, it could lead to severe pneumonia as well as multi-organ failure. In such a case, the disease proves to be fatal. Diagnosis of Avian Flu If one develops sudden high fever and severe flu-like symptoms, they should seek medical attention. The doctor may carry out tests to confirm avian flu. These tests include chest Xray, respiratory secretions culture, and certain blood tests for observing white blood cells. Treatment for Avian Flu The treatment of avian flu includes isolating the patients till the symptoms of avian flu subside. The patient is given plenty of rest, fluids to drink along with a healthy diet. Medications such as aspirin are given for treating fever and general malaise. If a patient develops complications like pneumonia, they are kept on ventilator support and treated according to the complications arising. The prognosis for avian flu is very poor. If the infection is very serious, it may lead to death due to complications. Prevention of avian flu includes: Wash hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer as frequently as possible. Use clean knives, cutting boards, utensils, etc. when cooking poultry. Cook the chicken thoroughly and egg whites & yolks till firm. Avoiding bird-markets, farms and poultry areas during a flu outbreak. Avoid consuming raw or half-cooked poultry products. Stay away from infected or sick birds, if possible. Avoid travelling to regions that have a flu outbreak. Ask your doctor for a flu shot to prevent infection from various types of influenza virus and build some immunity against avian flu. If one develops flu-like symptoms after coming in contact with birds or an infected person, they should seek immediate medical attention. As this is a new virus, humans have still not developed immunity against the virus. Also, researchers still have to study the virus in detail. Thus, prevention is the only key to stay away from avian flu.

PANDEMIC AWARENESS ABOUT PANDEMICS A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. It is determined by how the disease spreads, not how many deaths it causes. When a new influenza A virus emerges, a flu pandemic can occur. Because the virus is new, the human population has little to no immunity against it. The virus spreads quickly from person-to-person worldwide. The United States is not currently experiencing a flu pandemic. If a pandemic occurs, the federal government will work to identify the cause and create a vaccine. Flu.gov will provide updates on the steps the federal government is taking to address the pandemic. CHARACTERISTICS AND CHALLENGES OF A FLU PANDEMIC 1. Rapid Worldwide Spread o When a pandemic flu virus emerges, expect it to spread around the world. o You should prepare for a pandemic flu as if the entire world population is susceptible. o Countries may try to delay the pandemic flus arrival through border closings and travel restrictions, but they cannot stop it. 2. Overloaded Health Care Systems o Most people have little or no immunity to a pandemic virus. Infection and illness rates soar. A substantial percentage of the worlds population will require some form of medical care. o Nations are unlikely to have the staff, facilities, equipment, and hospital beds needed to cope with the number of people who get the pandemic flu. o Death rates may be high. Four factors largely determine the death toll: The number of people who become infected The strength of the virus The underlying characteristics and vulnerability of affected populations The effectiveness of preventive measures o Past pandemics spread globally in two or sometimes three waves. 3. Inadequate Medical Supplies o The need for vaccines is likely to be larger than the supply. Those at highest risk will likely get the vaccine first. o Early in a pandemic, the need for antiviral medications is likely to be larger than the supply. Those at highest risk will likely get antiviral medications first. 4. A pandemic can create a shortage of hospital beds, ventilators, and other supplies. Alternative sites, such as schools, may serve as medical facilities. 5. Disrupted Economy and Society o Travel bans, event cancellations, and school and business closings could have a major impact on communities and citizens. o Caring for sick family members and fear of exposure could result in significant employee absenteeism.

Seasonal Flu versus Pandemic Flu Pandemic Flu Seasonal Flu

Rarely happens (three times in 20th century) Happens annually and usually peaks in January or February People have little or no immunity because Usually some immunity built up from they have no previous exposure to the virus previous exposure Healthy people may be at increased risk for Usually only people at high risk, not healthy serious complications adults, are at risk of serious complications Health care providers and hospitals may be Health care providers and hospitals can overwhelmed usually meet public and patient needs Vaccine probably would not be available in Vaccine available for annual flu season the early stages of a pandemic Effective antivirals may be in limited supply Adequate supplies of antivirals are usually available Number of deaths could be high (The U.S. Seasonal flu-associated deaths in the United death toll during the 1918 pandemic was States over 30 years ending in 2007 have approximately 675,000) ranged from about 3,000 per season to about 49,000 per season. Symptoms may be more severe Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and muscle pain

May cause major impact on the general Usually causes minor impact on the general public, such as widespread travel restrictions public, some schools may close and sick and school or business closings people are encouraged to stay home Potential for severe impact on domestic and Manageable impact on domestic and world world economy economy