What is avian influenza (bird flu)?
Avian influenza is different than pandemic influenza. Wild birds are natural carriers of avian influenza viruses (a type of influenza A virus). Usually the avian influenza viruses carried by wild birds cause them little or no harm. These viruses normally infect only birds, but have, on rare occasions, infected humans. Since 2003, an avian influenza virus called H5N1 has been circulating in Southeast Asia and parts of Europe, infecting many poultry populations and some humans. This strain of influenza is highly deadly to poultry but has not been seen in Canada. The H5N1 influenza virus has also infected a small number of people but there is no evidence it is spread from person to person.
Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide, acting as reservoirs, carry a normally harmless form of influenza viruses in their intestines, and wild birds usually do not get sick from them. Unlike most avian influenza viruses, however, a new strain of H5N1 has caused mortality in more than 80 species of wild birds. Avian influenza can be very contagious among domestic poultry, and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. Infection with avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry causes two main forms of disease that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The “low pathogenic” form may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production). However, the “highly pathogenic” form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form may cause disease that a
Answer Avian influenza (bird flu) is caused by a virus that usually infects birds (particularly poultry) but occasionally crosses the species barrier and infects humans. Experts are particularly concerned about the H5N1 strain of avian influenza which has caused disease and death in birds and has demonstrated the ability to cross the species barrier and cause disease and death in humans.
Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997. The World Health Organization does not at present recommend any restrictions on travel to any country currently experiencing outbreaks of avian influenza, but contact with live animal markets and poultry farms in areas experiencing outbreaks of avian influenza should be avoided. Large amount of virus are known to be excreted in droppings from infected birds.
Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines without any ill effects. Avian influenza, however, can be very contagious and cause sickness and death in domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys. Infection with avian influenza viruses in domestic birds causes two main forms of disease that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The “low pathogenic” form may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production). However, the highly pathogenic form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form may cause disease that affects multiple internal organs and has a mortality rate that can reach 90–100% often within 48 hours.
