Today is our topic of discussion Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza
Definition:
Avian Influenza or “Bird flu” is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly pigs. Avian-influenza viruses are highly species-specific, but have, on rare occasions crossed the species barrier to infect humans.
Public health importance:
- The risk of bird flu is generally low to most of the people because the viruses occur mainly among birds and do not usually infect humans. However, during an outbreak among poultry (domesticated chicken, ducks), there is risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces contaminated with excretions from infected birds. In Asia the virus was initially recognized in Hong Kong in 1997.
- The current outbreak of avian-influenza A (H5N1) among poultry in Asia is an example of a bird flu outbreak that caused human infections and deaths. In such situations, people should avoid contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces, and careful when handling and cooking poultry.
- On 11th April 2011, the MOHFW, GoB has confirmed a new case of human infection with avian-influenza (H5N1) virus.
- The case was a 2 years old male from Kamalapur, Dhaka. He developed symptoms on 1 March,
visited the influenza sentinel surveillance site and was sampled. He completely recovered. Detailed epidemiological investigation and contact follow up was conducted by IEDCR-Dhaka, ICDDR,B and WHO-Bangladesh and no further cases were identified.
Cause:
Avian Influenza virus type H5N1.
Reservoir:
Aquatic birds (ducks, shore-birds, and gulls) are the natural reservoirs.
Transmission:
Spreads rapidly though poultry flocks & not transmitted through well cooked food.
C/F:
See ‘swine flu’ above.
Treatment:
See ‘swine flu’ above.
See also :