Information on the Bird Flu Virus

Bird flu, or avian flu, is a strain of influenza that affects mainly birds and poultry. It has killed millions of birds worldwide, but relatively few human cases have been reported as of September 2009. However, when bird flu does infect humans it is much more deadly than other flu viruses, killing about half the people who contract it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both human and bird cases of the bird flu have mainly been concentrated in southeast Asia and the Middle East, but it has also been documented in Europe and North America.

Transmission

• Bird flu can be transmitted from bird to bird and from bird to human through contact with bodily fluids such as nasal secretions, feces and saliva of an infected bird. Birds and humans that come into contact with surfaces that have been contaminated with fluids from an infected bird can also contract the virus. Human-to-human transmission of the bird flu remains extremely rare, with only a few cases ever having been documented. Most human cases have been traced back to contact with infected birds, usually poultry.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of the bird flu are similar to those of other flu viruses. Among the most commonly reported symptoms are a high fever, headaches, muscle aches and chills. Some people also develop a sore throat and cough. In some cases, conjunctivitis may be one of the only signs of bird flu. In severe cases, people develop serious respiratory issues such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress.

Diagnosis

• Because most people with bird flu experience symptoms similar to those of other influenza strains, a test is necessary to confirm the infection is caused by avian flu. The test requires a respiratory secretion, which is collected by a medical professional and then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Treatment

• Because bird flu is caused by a virus, it cannot be treated with antibiotics. There are, however, antiviral drugs that can be used to treat some people who contract avian flu. Relenza and Tamiflu must be taken within 48 hours of a person developing symptoms or they will not be effective. In severe cases that result in serious respiratory conditions, hospitalization is typically required for more aggressive treatment.

Prevention

• Although a bird flu vaccine exists, it is not available to the general public because the virus poses such a small risk to humans. If an outbreak were to occur, however, the vaccine would be made available. As with many illnesses, practicing good hygiene, especially thorough and frequent hand-washings with warm, soapy water, is a good first step at preventing bird flu infections. People who are traveling to areas where bird flu is more prevalent should take additional precautions, such as avoiding open-air markets and domesticated birds.