Avian Bird Flu

Avian Flu in birds has spread through Asia and Other Countries. Avian flu which is also called avian bird flu and Asian bird flu, is an infection caused by flu viruses that occur in birds. Normally wild birds can carry the influenza viruses and usually do not get sick from them. Pet birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys can become infected and die.

One strain of avian flu, called the H5N1 virus, is throughout much of Asia and has spread into Europe. Avian flu infections have killed poultry and other birds in a many of countries.

Strains of avian flu infect various types of animals now, including wild birds, pigs, and tigers.

Symptoms

 of avian bird flu in birds and other animals vary, but strains can cause death quickly within a few days.

Avian flu in humans is currently limited to a few cases and not a pandemic yet.

Since 2003, more than 100 human Avian bird flu cases have been diagnosed in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia. More than half of the infected people have died from the virus.

Close contact with infected poultry has been the source for avian influenza infection in humans. Still rare though, there have been isolated reports of human transmission of the avian influenza virus.

The reported symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical flu symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections (conjunctivitis), acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia and other severe, life-threatening complications.

Vaccines to protect humans against H5N1 viruses are being developed - none however currently provide protection. In addition, research is underway on methods to produce large quantities of vaccine more quickly in the event of an outbreak.

Research suggests that two antiviral medicines, Oseltamavir (Tamiflu) and Zanamavir (Relenza), may be useful treatments for H5N1. However, H5N1 viruses are generally resistant to two other available antiviral medications, Amantadine and Rimantadine, so they cannot be used to treat the virus.

An excellent blog site can be found at http://avianbirdinfluenza.blogspot.com with updates made twice weekly.

For more information on the pandemic outbreak visit http://flu.gosnippy.com/ .