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Avian Influenza - Treatment and Prevention
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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If the diagnosis of influenza A (H5N1) is confirmed, treatment for bird flu is carried out in the isolation ward of the hospital. During the entire acute period of the disease, it is necessary to stay in bed. A complete diet rich in vitamins and containing a sufficient amount of liquid is recommended.
[ Etiotropic treatment of bird flu
Etiotropic treatment of bird flu is based on the prescription of oseltamivir (tamiflu) - an antiviral drug belonging to the class of neuraminidase inhibitors. It is prescribed in a dose of 75 mg orally twice a day for seven days. It is possible to increase the dose to 300 mg. Rimantadine (remantadine, algirem) can also be used.
Pathogenetic treatment of avian influenza
Pathogenetic treatment consists of detoxification. According to clinical indications, intravenous administration of crystalloid solutions is used to correct acid-base balance and electrolyte balance.
In severe clinical forms of the disease, glucocorticoids and aprotinins are indicated. In the development of ARDS, treatment is carried out in the intensive care unit with mandatory respiratory support, and surfactant is administered.
Symptomatic treatment of bird flu is carried out according to indications. Convalescents are discharged from the hospital no earlier than seven days after the restoration of normal body temperature.
All those who have come into contact with patients with influenza A (H5.N1) are advised to undergo medical observation for seven days, with body temperature being measured twice a day. If it increases, coughing and difficulty breathing occur, medical help should be sought immediately.
How to prevent bird flu?
Specific prevention of bird flu
Global monitoring under the auspices of WHO allows for the rapid detection of a dangerous virus and the start of mass production of a vaccine against bird flu. Mass vaccination can begin in nine months. At present, it is important to carry out high-quality anti-epidemic measures aimed at reducing the prevalence of human flu. In particular, it is necessary to increase the number of people vaccinated, which will reduce the incidence rate, and possibly susceptibility to the new variant of the virus. In some countries, a limited amount of vaccine is produced against antigenic variants of the virus. According to forecasts, they are the most likely candidates for a new pandemic virus.
Non-specific prevention of bird flu
The main method of combating bird flu is the complete extermination of the bird population on infected farms, and the persons who come into contact with them and carry out their destruction must work in respirators and special clothing. Great importance is attached to disinfection using non-toxic quaternary ammonium compounds (acepur). They are easily neutralized by soaps and other detergents. Quarantine measures are carried out, the export of poultry and eggs from the affected regions is prohibited. Vaccination is carried out in surrounding farms and poultry farms, but its effectiveness and feasibility are questionable. The presence of antibodies in vaccinated birds complicates monitoring, since it does not allow differentiation from infection, there is also information that vaccination contributes to the mutation of the virus.
Bird flu can be brought to Ukraine by migratory birds. However, the conditions of farming in Ukraine (mostly closed poultry keeping, low probability of contact with pigs, less close contact between people and animals than in Southeast Asia) make it possible to practically exclude the possibility of the emergence of an assortant virus. In this regard, the main measures should be aimed at preventing the transfer of the virus from countries where it may appear. To this end, sanitary control at the border should be tightened, and the wearing of respiratory masks should be recommended; their preventive effectiveness reaches 98%.