Bird Flu Supplement 3 – How is Bird Flu Contracted?
Avian Influenza, more commonly known and referred to as Bird Flu, is an infectious disease of birds and poultry caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. The current concern over Bird Flu is related to the H5N1 strain of the virus. This strain, which was previously localized to parts of south east Asia, has spread to over 14 countries and has been shown to be highly deadly to humans if they become infected. This Bird Flu Supplement will attempt to illustrate briefly how the disease can be contracted. The virus in its current form can only be contracted through direct close contact with infected birds or poultry, their meat or their feces. Almost all recent cases reported recently in humans have been due to close contact with infected birds, and there are now some reports of human to human transmission through extreme intimate contact. Information on this form of transmission is scarce at best, but should should still be taken seriously due to the danger and severity of infection
