Avian influenza is commonly known as Bird flu caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, very sick and kill them, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys.

In domestic poultry, infection with avian influenza viruses causes two main forms of disease. The “low pathogenic” form commonly causes only mild symptoms, ruffled feathers, a drop in egg production and may easily go undetected. The “highly pathogenic” form spreads very rapidly through poultry flocks, causes diseases affecting multiple internal organs, and has a mortality that can approach 100%, often within 48 hours. Read the rest of this entry →

The virus that causes this infection in birds can mutate to infect humans.Such mutation could start a deadly worldwide epidemic. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Avian influenza viruses are rarely transmitted from birds to humans, and most of these cases have occurred from direct or close contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.

The use of surgical mask is one component of infection control. Surgical masks are designed to cover the mouth and noses loosely, usually strapped behind the head and made of soft materials and are comfortable to wear. Surgical masks are may be used to protect the respiratory tract from viruses, bacteria, and fungi transmitted through direct contamination of the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth or through inhalation of organisms in the air.

For preventing influenza exposure, wearing a mask is not recommended for routine use for example in community settings, such as schools, businesses, and public gatherings. To prevent the spread of infection between infected and non-infected persons in hospitals, emergency departments, out-patient facilities, residential care facilities, emergency medical services, home health care delivery where pandemic influenza patients might receive health care services, surgical masks are used along with other forms of personal protective equipment like gloves, gowns, and goggles.

Avian influenza is flu infection in birds. Avian influenza is commonly known as Bird flu caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses.  These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. The virus that causes this infection in birds can mutate to infect humans. Such mutation could start a deadly worldwide epidemic.

• There is no effective treatment for avian influenza. Different types of avian flu virus may cause different symptoms. Therefore, treatment may vary.
• Treatment with the antiviral medication oseltamivir, Tami flu or zanamivir, Relenza make the disease less severe, if you start taking the medicine within 48 hours after your Your browser may not support display of this image.symptoms start.
• Antiviral drugs are clinically effective in both preventing and treating the disease.
• There are the M2 inhibitors amantadine and rimantadine and the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanimivir. These drugs are thought to be effective in prevention and treatment of bird flu regardless of the causative strain.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have approved a vaccine to protect humans from the avian flu.
• People with severe infection may need to be placed on a breathing machine. Experts recommend that persons diagnosed with avian flu be put in isolation.

Avian influenza is flu infection in birds. The disease(commonly known as bird flu) is of concern to humans, who have no immunity against it. The virus that causes this infection in birds can mutate to infect humans. Such mutation could start a deadly worldwide epidemic.

Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds. Avian influenza viruses are rarely transmitted from birds to humans, and most of these cases have occurred from direct or close contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. H5N1 virus does not usually infect people; however, a few cases of human-to-human spread of H5N1 virus have occurred. Read the rest of this entry →