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Bird Flu FAQ:
Frequently Asked Questions about Bird Flu and the H5N1 virus. (Part 1)
Swans
can carry highly pathogenic avian H5N1 and other viruses
Bird Flu and ME; QUICK FACTS, RISKS, CONCERNS. The seven pages in this section
include H5N1 background, history, how H5N1 is treated, effects on pets and animals, summary of costs
and national plans, basic prevention and a glossary of terms.
You can also download the Bird Flu Checklist on the left.
Avian influenza (H5N1 bird flu) Background:
Influenza is not restricted to humans; it also occurs in various species of
mammals and birds. Bird flu is generally encountered in a form known as Low
Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI), which is not particularly infectious. The
serious form of avian influenza, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI or
“classic bird flu”), is one of the most serious diseases of hens and other birds
in the poultry industry. It occurs throughout the world, is highly contagious,
and can be up to 100% lethal in birds. The HPAI-H5N1 virus has also killed
serveral people.
Section 1 - BIRD FLU AND ME
Am I at risk?
Can I get bird flu from eating
chicken?
What are the symptoms of bird flu in
people?
What is the major concern?
How can I stay safe?
Is there a vaccine I can take?
What about Anti-Viral drugs?
Should I stock-pile Tamiflu?
Can herbal, homeopathic or other
folk remedies protect me?
AM I AT RISK? |
Top
Don’t panic – at the moment H5N1 is not easily transmitted from birds to people.
Studies (from Sweden in 2006) suggest that the risk factor is much lower
than previously thought. People have to get a lot of the virus in order to be
infected. And it is not easy to pass the current virus from one human to the
next.
CAN I GET BIRD FLU FROM EATING CHICKEN?
|
Top
No!
Avian flu is not a food-borne virus. The virus is particularly susceptible to
heat. In other words, proper cooking (70 degrees C in all parts of the food) will kill
the virus. Consumers should make sure poultry and eggs are fully cooked.
WHAT ARE THE HUMAN SYMPTOMS? |
Top
Bird flu in humans causes symptoms that are like the normal flu, such as high fever,
usually with a temperature higher than 38 degrees C (100.4 degrees F), cough, sore throat and muscle aches plus difficulty in breathing, conjunctivitis and other severe
respiratory diseases. However, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain, and bleeding from the nose and
gums have also been reported as early symptoms in some patients.
All patients have developed pneumonia, usually quite early on in the illness. There are some important facts about pneumonia vaccines you should know and which are outlined in the following Treating H5N1 article.
WHAT IS THE MAJOR CONCERN? |
Top
The concern is that H5N1 could pick up genes from conventional human flu
viruses, making it both highly lethal and highly infectious. As it would be a
radically new pathogen, no one would have any immunity to it. The mutation could
occur if H5N1 co-infects a human who already has ordinary flu or the agent is
picked up from poultry by an animal such as a pig that can carry bird and
regular flu strains.
HOW CAN I STAY SAFE? |
Top
A plan is in place should a pandemic break out. Your local officials will tell you what to do (see
our Family Planning section). Simple precautions include good personal hygiene, (wash your hands,
cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze) healthy living (eat well, get plenty of
exercise), cook food and poultry properly, stay clear of sick poultry and wild
birds and get regular medical check ups where possible.
IS THERE A VACCINE I CAN TAKE? |
Top
No, not yet. Because the influenza virus mutates often, the vaccine will not be
available until the flu breaks out. This is normal. However, already several
prototypes are being explored including a DNA vaccine designed to stop the
spread of the H5N1 virus.
WHAT ABOUT ANTI-VIRAL DRUGS? |
Top
An anti-viral drug is not the same as a vaccine. A vaccine is a killed or
altered form of the virus or the DNA of the virus whereas an anti-viral drug blocks the replication of
the virus. There are two anti-viral drugs considered effective against H5N1: zanamivir (commercialized as Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu). These
drugs are called neuraminidase inhibitors, which block the virus. If taken within a couple of days of the illness, they can
ease some symptoms and reduce the duration of sickness. The WHO
recommends countries stockpile antivirals, but does not give a figure as to how
big that stockpile should be. It hopes to have its own stockpile. A looming worry is whether the shifting
virus might become resistant to Tamiflu.
SHOULD I STOCK-PILE TAMIFLU? |
Top
No. Stockpiling Tamiflu or Relenza, another antiviral medication, at home is not
a good idea. The medications don't store well.
Some strains of H5N1 are already resistant to Tamiflu. If lots of people start
taking the drug before it is needed, that could increase the chance that
drug-resistant viruses could emerge. Late in 2006, Japan and Canada reported
deaths associated with people taking antivirals.
CAN HERBAL, HOMEOPATHIC OR FOLK
REMEDIES PROTECT ME?
There is no scientific evidence that any herbal, homeopathic or other
folk remedies have any benefit against influenza, however, many studies are
being made on new types of vaccines and anti-virals.
Video clip (requires free flash software): The BBC asks, "Is our stockpiling [of Tamiflu] strategy the best?..." (Duration: 2 min. 03 sec.)
Poll Results: Our
Quick Poll for July asked, "Are we told all the truth about bird flu?"
[Background: China accused of cover-up]
Yes : 31.2%
No : 56.2%
Unsure: 12.5%
Some 1400 votes from various countries.
Next: » Q & A :: Bird Flu Basics, History and Facts - page 2
All Articles in this series:
» 1) Bird Flu and me - facts, risks, can I get it and can I stop it?
» 2) Basics on Bird Flu - What it is, history, what is a pandemic?
» 3) How is human influenza A (H5N1) and Pneumonia treated?
» 4) Pets and Animals - Can my dog or cat get H5N1, symptoms?
» 5) Summary - what are the plans, costs and what can I do?
» 6) Preventing viral infection spread - important tips.
» 7) Definitions for H5N1, avian or bird influenza.
Video Link:
» Short review of a Free webinar on
Pandemic
Planning for small business Duration: 1.44. (Hosted on YouTube - opens in a new
window)