Concerns About Bird Flu
Asia is one of the most affected areas when it comes to the influenza A H5N1, or bird flu. Countries like China, Korea, India or Vietnam had to face the bird flu pandemics. In the year when all Asia was thinking about the tsunami that swept across the Indian Ocean another disaster occurred. Two children died in Vietnam because of the virus causing bird flu. This problem occurred in 2005 could lead to even more damage than the disastrous tsunami so a special attention was given to it. We can also mention the flu pandemic in 1918 that killed more than 20 million people all over the world. Remembering about it the specialists began to worry about another pandemic. The occurrence in humans of this type of virus that is mostly common among birds gave the specialists a sign that viruses are beginning to change or even mutating. This meant a threat for the whole population. H5N1 is a virus that usually affects birds. It occurs is wild birds that are not affected. These birds spread the virus among the domestic birds which are in danger. The virus affects their internal organs and may lead to death [...]
All The Secrets You Need To Know About The Asian Bird Flu!
There is a deadly disease that has and still is sweeping nations across South East Asia. It’s now beginning to be known as the Asian bird flu. So what is it and how does it affect people? Well the Asian bird flu is a virus that is spread by birds, hence the name bird flu. It’s a type of influenza virus that can spread like wildfire when given the opportunity. So you’re wondering how Asian bird flu is contracted by humans if it’s a strand of influenza that only affects birds? Well unfortunately, bird flu is like many other strands of influenza being that it has the potential to mutate into other strands when placed in the right environment. This of course has occurred many times and has resulted in catastrophic proportions on the human population. Recent Breakouts Of The Asian Bird Flu The most recent breakouts have occurred in South East Asia and more particularly Indonesia, where many people died in a very short period of time. Luckily modern medicine is far more adept at treating influenza viruses these days. If the same breakout had have happened back at the beginning of the 20th century many more people would [...]
The Basics About Bird Flu
Avian influenza is a natural infection in wild birds, which are actually carriers without ever being affected by the disease. Never the less, the avian flu can be passed to domestic poultry through various types of contact such as sharing the same food and water or coming in contact with excrements and cages of contaminated birds. A fairly easy way of determining whether poultry such as chicken, ducks, turkeys has bird flu is microscope examination of their saliva and nasal secretions. Bird flu caused by influenza A viruses does not have a spontaneous effect on humans. The possibility is rather low to many because we are not as susceptible to it as birds. Though rare, cases of human infection have been outlined by the press. The virus that spreads among humans is known as the human influenza virus and has three branches: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2. The viruses vary through the different types of proteins that form their genetic coat: Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidaze. Parts of the virus affecting humans have also been found in birds, but the main concern is that the virus is in permanent replication and may one day evolve into a more potent form. Furthermore, there [...]
Asking About Bird Flu
1. What virus is responsible for Bird flu? There are many subtypes of influenza “A” virus, which affect in a different way poultry, causing mild or serious diseases to birds. The most lethal subtype of influenza “A” virus is H5N1, also known to be very dangerous to humans. 2. Why do we call the virus H5N1? On the surface of the virus are some proteins called Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA). Hemagglutinin allows the virus to initiate the infecting process and Neuraminidase prevents the newly formed virus from exiting the host cell. There exist 16 known HA subtypes and 9 NA subtypes of influenza virus. The H5N1 virus has in its structure hemagglutinin type 5 and neuraminidase type 1. 3. Why must we worry about Bird flu? – H5N1 virus has caused by now millions of bird deaths, and hundreds of humans only in Asia; – If the virus mutates it will spread from human to human, causing a global pandemic; – Chicken industry will be seriously affected. 4. How can H5N1 virus infect humans? Getting in close contact with an infected bird can lead to human contamination. People that take care, [...]
Most Common Questions About Bird Flu
The bird Influenza virus is a contagious condition to which all species of birds are exposed. It varies from milder forms to a very severe stage that usually leads to death. Some bird species are more resistant to the virus than others but the real danger of the Bird flu is the possibility of transmission to humans. The disease is caused by more subtypes of the Influenza virus A; the different subgroups can undergo mutations and create high pathological forms of the condition. The most dangerous bird flu for man is the one caused by the virus H5N1. The disease is transmitted in birds by infected discharges like feces or respiratory secretions, by contaminated food, water, cages, clothing or vehicles, by infected eggs in the incubatory and from clinically normal birds that will spread the virus inside the flock. The virus usually persists in survived bird tissues for about 10 days and can be transmitted by feces and oral discharge. The most infectious forms last longer time in tissues, water and cold environments. Domestic birds will get the disease if in contact with wild birds; if they use infected water bowls or share them with infected wild [...]
What to Do About the Flu
You had the flu last winter and the winter before that. If there’s one thing you know for sure it’s this: you don’t want to get it again this year. The bone-racking aches and pains, the chills, fever, coughs, and fatigue laid you out flat. And when the flu hits your household, it knocks everyone down – kids and adults alike – for at least a week, sometimes two. If you can’t afford to lose time to the flu, or if someone in your family has a medical condition that could be complicated by getting influenza, there are flu treatments you can take to reduce your chances of getting sick. And reduce your chances of passing the flu on to the rest of your family and your coworkers. The Flu Bug Is Many Bugs The flu is actually a number of viruses that infect the respiratory tract. Two main types of flu cause the outbreaks we experience every fall/winter: Influenza A and Influenza B. This is important to note because some drugs only target Influenza A. Others target both A and B. Once your doctor has diagnosed you and determined the kind of flu that’s doing [...]