Avian Influenza, also known as Avian Flu and Bird Flu, is a contagious viral infection that can spread easily and quickly among birds. Wild birds are considered the natural host and they can contaminate domestic poultry flocks, which are especially vulnerable to infections that can rapidly turn into an epidemic. Influenza viruses can infect several animal species, including mammals. Avian influenza viruses do not usually infect humans directly.
There are at least 15 types of avian flu. They are all caused by various strains of type A influenza virus. Birds spread avian flu virus to one another through secretions and droppings. Some species of wild birds can carry the virus and infect other birds without getting sick themselves. Other bird species, including domestic poultry, are more prone to become severely ill and die when infected.
In 2004 there was a serious outbreak in various Asian countries. It was caused by a strain of avian influenza virus called H5N1, which has affected millions of chickens and other birds. This outbreak has caused the virus to spread among a small number of humans, and some of the people infected with H5N1 have died.
How Avian Flu Spreads
from Birds to People
Human cases of avian influenza and human influenza are not related. Human influenza (known as "the flu") is a common respiratory disease that spreads easily and rapidly from person to person. Even if various strains of avian flu virus travel continually among birds, the virus does not usually spread to people.
In rare cases, however, people contract avian flu. The exact mode of transmission from birds to people hasn't been identified yet, but most human cases of avian flu have been related from direct contact with infected poultry or their droppings, or from surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds. The transmission from one ill person to another has not been observed.
Symptoms
Although human cases of avian flu are rare, people who become infected with the H5N1 virus can become seriously ill and may die. The symptoms can be similar to human influenza, including fever, cough, aching muscles and a sore throat. The human health effects of avian flu can also include eye infections and serious respiratory infections, including pneumonia.
Treatment
There is currently no vaccine to protect against avian flu. Some studies suggest that certain anti-viral drugs used to fight human influenza may also help prevent serious illness in people who become infected with the avian flu virus. However, influenza viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the efficiency and success of such medicines.
The Ottawa Hospital states that a drug called Tamiflu, which is an anti-viral drug or "Neuraminidase Inhibitor", is effective against the current strain of "Bird Flu".
Risks Involved
The avian flu virus does not spread easily or rapidly among humans but we know that flu viruses have the capacity to blend with one another and mutate into a new strain. This is one of the reasons why health officials keep a close watch on outbreaks of avian flu. If someone with human influenza also becomes infected with avian influenza, there is a possibility that the virus could mutate into a virus that can spread easily from person to person. This could lead to a worldwide epidemic (or pandemic) of influenza and it could take up to six months to develop a new vaccine.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has implemented control measures to contain outbreaks of avian flu. One of these control measure is to kill flocks of poultry that are infected or may have been exposed to avian flu. Vaccine manufacturers and researchers are doing the foundation work that is necessary to develop a pandemic vaccine, but an actual vaccine against a pandemic cannot be manufactured until the virus has emerged.
Avoiding Bird Flu
For most Canadians, the risk of avian flu is extremely low. The risk of health effects from human influenza is far greater.
In order to protect yourself from human influenza, Health Canada recommends the following preventative measures:
Get a flu shot.
Wash your hands regularly with thorough use of soap and warm water.
Stay home if you are sick.
A few other tips are applicable: cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, sneezing into your elbow, don't shake hands with others, , avoid crowded places if there's a flu epidemic of any kind.
To further limit potential risks, poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked to kill any possible viruses or bacteria.
Proper safe food handling practices such as handwashing and keeping poultry and egg products separate from other food products to avoid cross contamination should be followed.
There is no data that implies that the consumption of cooked poultry or eggs could transmit the avian flu to humans. The evidence to date points out that thorough cooking will kill the virus, however some researchers cannot totally exclude the possibility of transmission of the virus to humans from the consumption of uncooked or undercooked eggs or sickened poultry, but the chances may be remote.
The Public Health Agency of Canada explains that vehicles, equipment (like cages), shoes and clothing can carry the avian influenza virus; in consequence poultry owners should strictly limit access to their premises. Rats can also carry the virus on their feet
Precaution While Traveling
The National Wildlife Health Center recommends that the General Public should, as a general rule, observe wildlife, including wild birds, from a distance; this, as a protection from possible exposure to pathogens and to reduce disturbance to the animal.
Avoid touching wildlife. If there is contact with wildlife do not rub eyes, eat, drink, or smoke before washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Do not pick up diseased or dead wildlife. Contact your Conservation Officer if a sick or dead animal is found.
While traveling to affected areas:
Health Canada is advising travelers en route to affected areas in Asia, and other regions where there is a risk of avian flu, that they should not consume undercooked poultry, raw eggs or lightly cooked egg products (such as runny eggs).
It is also recommended to avoid unnecessary contact with live poultry, this might include markets where live birds are sold, as there is a possibility for the avian influenza virus to be inhaled and to stick to hair and clothing.
