Bird flu virus transmitted

Examples of different influenza A virus subtypes that have infected animals to cause outbreaks include H1N1 and H3N2 virus infections of pigs, and H7N7 and H3N8 virus infections of horses. Influenza A viruses that typically infect and transmit among one animal species sometimes can cross over and cause illness in another species. For example, until , only H1N1 viruses circulated widely in the U. However, in , H3N2 viruses from humans were introduced into the pig population and caused widespread disease among pigs.

More recently, H3N8 viruses from horses have crossed over and caused outbreaks in dogs. Influenza A viruses have eight separate gene segments. The segmented genome allows influenza A viruses from different species to mix and create a new virus if influenza A viruses from two different species infect the same person or animal. If this new influenza A virus causes illness in people and is transmitted easily from person to person in a sustained manner, an influenza pandemic can occur. It is possible that the process of genetic reassortment could occur in a person who is co-infected with an avian influenza A virus and a human influenza A virus.

The genetic information in these viruses could reassort to create a new influenza A virus with a hemagglutinin gene from the avian virus and other genes from the human virus. Signs and symptoms of bird flu may begin within two to seven days of infection, depending on the type. In most cases, they resemble those of conventional influenza, including:. Some people also experience nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. And in a few cases, a mild eye infection conjunctivitis is the only indication of the disease.

See your doctor immediately if you develop a fever, cough and body aches and have recently traveled to a part of the world where bird flu occurs. Be sure to let your doctor know if you visited any farms or open-air markets. Bird flu occurs naturally in wild waterfowl and can spread into domestic poultry, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese.

The disease is transmitted via contact with an infected bird's feces, or secretions from its nose, mouth or eyes. Open-air markets, where eggs and birds are sold in crowded and unsanitary conditions, are hotbeds of infection and can spread the disease into the wider community.

Undercooked poultry meat or eggs from infected birds can transmit bird flu. Poultry meat is safe to eat if it's been cooked to an internal temperature of F 74 C. Eggs should be cooked until the yolks and whites are firm. The greatest risk factor for bird flu seems to be contact with sick birds or with surfaces contaminated by their feathers, saliva or droppings.

The pattern of human transmission remains mysterious. In very few instances, bird flu has been transmitted from one human to another. But unless the virus begins to spread more easily among people, infected birds present the greatest hazard. Although bird flu may kill more than half the people it infects, the number of fatalities is still low because so few people have had bird flu. Fewer than bird flu deaths have been reported to the World Health Organization since In contrast, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that seasonal influenza is responsible for thousands of deaths each year in the United States alone.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved one vaccine to prevent infection with one strain of H5N1 bird flu virus. They will also show signs of breathing problems including gaping beaks, coughing, sneezing and rattling wheezing. Poultry farmers will also notice a loss of appetite in the infected birds and a decrease in egg laying.

People are advised not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds they find. In Great Britain, dead wild waterfowl or other wild birds should be reported to Defra. Some will then be collected and tested to help scientists understand how the disease is distributed geographically and in different types of bird.

There is no vaccine for avian flu. If a person were infected, the NHS has said they would be either told to stay at home or put into isolation in hospital.

They would then be treated with an antiviral medicine such as oseltamivir known as Tamiflu or zanamivir known as Relenza. What is bird flu and why is it back in the news? An avian influenza prevention zone was declared across the UK at the start of November, requiring strict biosecurity measures and all birds to be kept indoors.

What is avian flu? Why is it in the news again? What are the most dangerous strains? Where has it appeared? If it just affects birds, why the panic?

How do you catch bird flu? What are the symptoms in humans?