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Avian influenza is another name for bird flu, caused by the Type A influenza virus. It is harmful to poultry and sometimes life-threatening in humans. Bird flu occurs because of both wild and domesticated birds. Moreover, it can pass to humans who are in close contact with poultry or other bird species.

No proof confirms its spread from human to human. Rarely, it can pass from a sick person to his caregiver or someone in close contact with the ill person.

Researchers worry about the virus' mutation, which may cause possible transmission from human to human.

H5N1 is the current strain of virus affecting India. This strain is potent and is responsible for >130 deaths in different countries of Asia.

There are different strains of bird flu that usually cannot transmit to humans; however, there are four major strains that have been the cause of major infections:

• H5N1 - Since 1997
• H7N9 - Since 2013
• H5N6 - Since 2014
• H5N8 - Since 2016

Types

There are no known types of bird flu.

Stages

There are no known stages of bird flu.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the severity of the infection.

The primary symptoms of bird flu that initially appear are listed below:

• High temperature


• Chills


• Headache


• Cough

Other common symptoms may include:

• Diarrhoea


• Feeling sick


• Stomach pain


• Chest pain


• Bleeding that occurs from the nose and gums


• Conjunctivitis

Usually, the first symptoms occur after 3-5 days of infection.

Causes And Risk Factors

Causes

Birds are the primary cause of the virus, which enters the intestine of birds and is distributed via bird faeces. The birds that migrate can spread the virus into different countries. Infected birds may show symptoms such as diarrhoea, breathing difficulties, and death. An infected bird can spread the virus via its feathers, mucous, saliva, and faeces. Humans that come in very close contact with the infected bird may get the infection. Handling a sick bird, contact with the faeces of a sick bird, and not washing hands after the contact may result in infection. The virus is present in raw poultry meat. There is no proof that it can transmit from human to human.

Risk Factors

Infected birds continue to spread the virus via saliva and faeces for >10 days. Contact with the contaminated area can spread the infection.

The risk of getting infected increases if the person is listed below:

1. A poultry farmer had a visit to the poultry farm


2. Exposure to infected birds


3. Eating uncooked eggs or meat

Prevention

You can prevent bird flu by taking the precautions listed below:

1. If you are visiting a country with an outbreak, you should frequently wash your hands

• make use of different utensils to store cooked and raw meat


• cook the meat till it is steaming hot


• avoid going to places with live birds and poultry

2. What not to do:

• try not to go near birds that appear sick or dead


• prevent visits to poultry farms and animal markets


• ensure you are not eating undercooked or raw poultry or ducks


• avoid eating raw eggs

Diagnosis

Influenza A/H5 virus real-time PCR primer and probe set is the test that will help you confirm the diagnosis of bird flu. It provides results in 4 h.

Other tests that assist doctors with the diagnosis are listed below:

1. Auscultation


2. Differential WBC


3. Nasopharyngeal culture

The doctor may perform other diagnostic tests to verify for damage caused by an infection in parts of the body such as the heart, kidneys, brain, or liver.

Treatment

The treatment for bird flu may include:

• Many anti-viral medicines can be used to treat bird flu. These medicines are used when symptoms are developed after exposure to the virus or if the person comes in contact with the patient who is infected.


• Relenza and tami flu are two drugs approved for treating bird flu. If there is an outbreak, these drugs help to maintain essential services, prevent spread, and provide treatment to people who are already infected.


• Vaccinations against bird flu or still in process.

Lifestyle/management

Lifestyle changes include:

1. The best prevention is to avoid exposure

The best approach to prevent getting infected by bird flu is to avoid areas with a risk of exposure. The infected birds spread the virus via saliva, mucus, and faeces. Humans get infected when the virus comes in contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Poultry workers should always ensure they follow practice is to control infection, including using protective equipment and practising hand hygiene. Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for poultry workers.

2. While preparing food:

Please ensure you eat properly handled and cooked poultry. Try to avoid handling and consuming raw poultry, and ensure you thoroughly boil poultry products before eating.

3. Travelling to other countries

Avoid visiting poultry farms and eating raw poultry. Try to practice hygiene and cleanliness.

4. Other lifestyle modifications are the same as other common influenza changes:

• Isolate yourself, which will limit the spread of infection.


• If you are diabetic or have blood pressure, please take extra care. You can make food adjustments and a medication regimen to help you not miss any doses.


• Use a humidifier that will help mucus secretions to easily pass through and will prevent a stuffy nose.


• Cough out the mucus every time if possible.


• Use vapour rubs containing camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oil, which help relieve stuffy nose and headaches. The vapour rubs can be applied to both the neck and chest at night.


• A lukewarm bath will help with managing pain and fever.


• OTC painkillers can provide relief to achy muscles and headaches.

Prognosis And Complications

Prognosis

In patients that require hospitalization because of bird flu, the mortality rate is >50% for all the strains of bird flu.

A fact to be noted is that not all patients affected by the virus have to be admitted to the hospital because there are people who have mild treatable symptoms. All information gathered till today suggests that the prognosis in hospitalized patients is not very good and the spreading of the virus in public is very dangerous. Therefore, whenever there is an increased number of infection cases, all precautions and safety protocols must be considered.

Complications

Bird flu can cause serious and fatal complications including:

• Pneumonia


• Acute respiratory distress


• Inflammation in the brain and heart


• Eye infection

References.

1. Better Health. Bird Flu. [Internet] [Updated on: 31/07/2014] Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/bird-flu-avian-influenza.(https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/bird-flu-avian-influenza)


2. National Health System. Bird Flu. [ Internet] [Updated on: 18/05/2018] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bird-flu/(https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bird-flu/)


3. Medicover Hospitals. Bird Flu. [Internet] [Updated on: 11/01/2021] Available at: https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/bird-flu/(https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/bird-flu/)


4. CDC. Avian Flu. [Internet] [Updated on: 17/04/2017] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/prevention.htm(https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/prevention.htm)


5. Winchester Hospital. Lifestyle changes for Influenza. [Internet] [Updated on: 15/08/2018] Available at: https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=19289#:~:text=Get%20plenty%20of%20rest%20and,help%20fight%20off%20the%20infection. (https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=19289#:~:text=Get%20plenty%20of%20rest%20and,help%20fight%20off%20the%20infection)


6. NCBI.Avian Influenza. [Journal] [Updated on:23/02/2021 ] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553072/ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553072/)