Asian Bird Flu Symptoms

Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian influenza viruses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. These influenza viruses are common in birds. Wild birds usually do not get sick from them, but the avian influenza is contagious and can affect domesticated birds as well as humans. Outbreaks have been seen in Asia, Europe and Africa, among other places.

Type

• Avian flu, or bird flu, is caused by the H5N1 virus, which can be contracted by humans through direct contact with the virus. It usually does not infect people, but some human cases have been confirmed since 1997. Human-to-human spread of the virus is difficult, the CDC says.

Symptoms and diagnosis

• Symptoms of bird flu are similar to those of other types of human influenza--fever, sore throat, aches and nausea, according to the CDC. Other symptoms may include eye and respiratory infections. Some cases can be life-threatening. Diagnosing bird flu is difficult with such common symptoms, so the only accurate way to diagnose it is through laboratory blood testing.

Prevention

• There are bird flu vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but those have not been made available widely because outbreaks have been limited. Instead, vaccines are being stockpiled in case they are needed in the future. Avoiding contact with infected birds or wildlife is the safest way to avoid getting infected. Washing your hands thoroughly when handling live birds or poultry is a must, along with cleaning any cooking utensils when preparing poultry. Other animals, such as pigs, tigers, ferrets and domestic cats have been infected, but in almost all cases, they have come in direct contact with the virus. Using standard practices of hygiene is recommended as well as avoiding direct contact of any bodily fluids or secretions. Human-to-human transfer of the virus has occurred, but it has been limited.

Solution

• Controlling any outbreak could become difficult when diagnosing the problem is not easy. However, once the virus has been identified and an outbreak is widespread, the following precautions may become necessary in a community: quarantine of the cases identified, closing of schools, limiting public gatherings and added hygiene precautions. Some anti-viral medications are thought to be effective in treating bird flu, but, according to the CDC, there have not been enough extensive studies to prove their effectiveness.

Considerations

• Understanding the severity and prevention of bird flu is important. It is also vital to know that influenza viruses adapt and evolve, so educating the population of its potential and symptoms is key to fighting it.