Bird flu

What is bird flu? It is a serious disease that affects birds and then humans. It is caused by the H5N1 virus, causing severe symptoms: breathing difficulties, damage to the digestive system, and high mortality. This virus is especially dangerous because it infects humans too quickly and changes too quickly, making all conventional vaccines useless.

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Where did bird flu come from?

It was first discovered by the Italian veterinarian Perroncito in 1878. He called it chicken flu, and later this disease was dubbed chicken plague because of its high prevalence. The scientist concluded that the disease is of viral origin. The virus is called Influenza virus A, and it belongs to the flu viruses because it has a similar structure and antigen set. At that time, the Italian did not yet know how dangerous this virus was and how many people it could affect.

Learn more about bird flu viruses

When doctors invented the vaccine against bird flu, they included 16 different types of hemagglutinin, which is designated by the letter H, as well as 9 different types of neuraminidase, which are designated by the letter N in the formula of this virus.

There are 144 combinations of bird flu in total, because it is divided into subtypes. The most dangerous types of viruses for birds are H7 and H5. The virus is very susceptible to the external environment and dies if surfaces are treated with a bactericidal solution even in small quantities. But in a cool environment, the virus lives longer.

Where does the flu virus come from?

It is found inside birds, most often wild ones and mainly ducks. They have a strong immunity to this type of virus. But if they infect domestic ducks or chickens with the virus, they die very quickly.

Among the most common combinations of the bird flu virus is A/H5N1. According to forecasts of medical experts, it is this virus that is capable of causing a pandemic across the globe. This strain is very virulent, that is, it is capable of spreading very widely. If a person comes into contact with a sick bird or its meat, he can become infected with bird flu. The strain of this flu is especially dangerous in combination with others - human and swine, then the strain of flu changes and becomes especially insidious.

Learn more about the bird flu virus

The first cases of bird flu became known to the public in 1997 in Hong Kong. At that time, the number of fatalities reached more than 60%. Those people who had mild symptoms of the disease did not seek medical attention, otherwise the percentage of those who died would have been even higher. The most vulnerable region for the spread of bird flu was Southeast Asia.

Compared to the common flu, the incidence of bird flu is, of course, much lower, but the mutation of this virus is causing serious concern among scientists. Its possible pandemic is compared to the infamous "Spanish flu" that worried the whole world in 1918-1919. Then, up to 100 million people died because of this virus.

Scientists have suggested that bird flu could cause a new pandemic that could be responsible for more than 150 million deaths worldwide. Therefore, vaccination against the common flu once a year is a logical defense against bird flu, since a specific vaccine has not yet been invented.

Symptoms of bird flu in birds

Once the virus has infected the bird, the disease may remain latent for 20 to 48 hours. The bird shows visible lethargy, lays eggs poorly, and drinks a lot. The feathers of the sick bird stick out in different directions, its eyes turn red. Liquid comes out of the beak, and before the bird dies, its wattles and comb turn blue. These symptoms may be accompanied by convulsions and an unsteady gait.

When a bird sick with influenza is opened, doctors notice hemorrhages in the respiratory tract and on the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, as well as on the liver and kidneys.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to cure such birds - they die. In order not to infect other birds and people, individuals sick with bird flu are destroyed.

What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?

• The temperature has risen to 39 degrees Celsius and above
• The man is overcome with chills
• My head and muscles hurt
• There is a dry cough
• Pharyngitis is observed
• Eyes are red and watery, doctors diagnose conjunctivitis
• There may be vomiting, respiratory arrest, severe pneumonia that develops quickly.
• Most often, bird flu in humans ends in death.

Doctors also observe the so-called cytokine storm in bird flu. Cytokines are substances secreted by the body's immune system in response to the invasion of bird flu viruses. It is noteworthy that it is the bird flu viruses that cause such a large number of cytokines as the body's response to the intervention of flu pathogens. Therefore, the symptoms listed above appear - high temperature, headache, and so on. Due to the large number of cytokines, the tissues of organs in the place where the infection has penetrated are destroyed, so the body's systems can shut down. The person dies.

Is bird flu curable?

Yes, it is treated with new-generation drugs that can affect most strains of flu. These are zanamivir and also oseltamivir (known as Tamiflu, after the brand name that produces it). It is not known whether other drugs can affect bird flu viruses.

Prevention of bird flu

As we have already mentioned, a vaccine against bird flu has not yet been invented. Although scientists from all over the world are working on it. Therefore, it is important to adhere to the usual methods of preventing bird flu

• Do not allow children to play with birds, especially if they show signs of illness.
• Do not buy untested meat
• If you have pet birds that have died unexpectedly, you should not touch them with bare hands.
• After you have destroyed a sick bird, you need to thoroughly wash your hands and wash your clothes.
• If you develop flu-like symptoms after touching a bird, you should immediately contact your general practitioner.

Bird flu, fortunately, is very rare in our country. But still, you should take all precautions that will allow you to stay healthy.

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