Trying To Prevent An Avian Bird Flu

Avian bird flu was first noticed about 100 years ago in Italy but now appears all around the globe.

Avian bird flu, often referred to as Avian influenza, is an infectious disease found usually in birds which is caused by A strains of the influenza virus. This influenza virus occurs naturally in the intestines of wild birds and usually does not cause them sickness.

Fifteen subtypes of influenza virus are known to infect birds, thus providing an extensive number of influenza viruses potentially circulating in bird populations. To date, all outbreaks of avian influenza have been caused by influenza A viruses of subtypes H5 and H7.

The sickness caused by this virus often take two stages. The first is a mild stage which often goes undetected. Symptoms for this stage are ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production. The second stage is where the internal organs of infected birds stop functioning and ultimately results in the death of the bird within 48 hours.

Avian influenza, or influenza A, is chiefly found in animals, but infection with this virus can occur in humans. The risk from this virus to humans is considered mild, although cases of human infection are on the rise since 1997. In most cases, humans have caught this disease by coming in contact with contaminated surfaces like water bowls and cages, and with infected birds.

Cases of transmission of this virus from an infected human to another human have not been recorded officially. Some human influenza viruses are known to be subtypes of avian bird flu influenza. Influenza A is continuously changing and it is possible that subtypes may adapt over time to infect and spread among humans.

Humans who become infected with influenza A show symptoms similar to human influenza virus, and they may suffer from fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and eye infections.

In severe cases, they may have pneumonia and other life-threatening diseases. Death is a possible outcome of infection.

The Australian government, like many other Western governments, have stockpiled vaccines such as Tamiflu to prepare themselves for a possible outbreak of avian influenza, even though the exact virus that causes influenza A in humans has not yet been identified.

Another point to remember is that these viruses often become resistant to vaccines so by the time they are used, the particular influenza strain might not react to the present vaccines.

So I would suggest that you simply work to build up a very strong immune system.

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