The avian influenza virus, or bird flu, occurs naturally in wild birds, but does not make them sick. Because the virus is very contagious among birds, avian influenza virus can be deadly if transmitted to domesticated birds. Human infections are caused by transmission of the Influenza A virus from infected birds to humans.
Name: Avian Influenza A
Type of Microbe: RNA Virus
How it spreads: The virus is shed from the saliva, nasal secretions, and feces of infected birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys.
Who’s at risk? People who are in contact with infected birds or virus-contaminated objects and surfaces.
Symptoms: There is a range of symptoms of avian influenza in humans. These can include flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches), severe respiratory distress (pneumonia or difficulty breathing), and eye infections.
Diagnosis: Symptoms of avian influenza are not sufficient for diagnosis. To diagnose early disease, a swab is collected from the nose or throat and sent for laboratory diagnosis. Lab diagnostic testing may include measuring specific viral proteins or growing the virus. To diagnose late disease, blood samples may be collected and measured for your body’s antibody response to the virus.
Prognosis: Prognosis depends on the strain of virus. The highly pathogenic H5N1 virus in recent outbreaks is associated with an unusually aggressive disease, often with pneumonia and multi-organ failure and high death rates.
Treatment: There is evidence that the prescription antiviral drug oseltamivir, recommended by the CDC and WHO for treatment of bird flu, is effective in treating bird flu infections in people. Another drug, zanamivir (Relenza), has reduced the severity and duration of human influenza and may be considered for treatment of bird flu. However, antiviral resistance has occurred among some cases of bird flu and is being carefully monitored by health authorities.
Prevention: For individuals who may potentially be exposed to infected poultry, the CDC recommends careful hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment, as well as following biosecurity and infection control practices.
Sources Avian Influenza (Bird Flu). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Avian Influenza. World Health Organization.
