Good afternoon, dear readers. What is bird flu and how dangerous is it for humans? Among the problems of infectology left as a legacy XXI century last century, viral infections occupied an exceptional place. They account for more than 80% of all human infectious diseases, the number of which is steadily growing.
Not only is the epidemic process of “classical” infectious diseases intensifying, but new types of pathogens are appearing (prions, mutant viruses, etc.), which cause outbreaks and epidemics of often particularly dangerous infections with high rates of mortality and disability among patients (slow infections, avian flu , hemorrhagic fevers, etc.).
Avian influenza was first identified among domestic chickens in Italy almost a hundred years ago, and in 1925 its epidemic was registered in Japan, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam. Since 1959 different regions 21 outbreaks of this infection have been registered worldwide (mainly in Europe and America), 5 epidemics occurred on poultry farms in Australia.
Since mid-December 2003, the global epidemic situation with avian influenza has become more complicated - it was already registered in 8 countries (Republic of Korea - 2003, Vietnam - 2004; Japan - 2004; Thailand - 2004; Cambodia - 2004 .; China - 2004; Laos - 2004;
Since the first report of the appearance of this infection in the 21st century in the Republic of Korea (December 12, 2003), during January-February it spread within the above-mentioned Asian countries, continuing to spread in other regions of the planet.
Everyone knows that influenza is the most common infectious disease in humans, which occurs with severe intoxication and complications, affecting the upper respiratory tract. However, not everyone knows that influenza is a disease not only of humans, but also of animals, including birds.
What virus causes bird flu?
Influenza in animals, birds and influenza in humans is caused by related viruses, which differ only in the composition and aggressiveness of their enzymes, namely the type of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. It should be noted that the ability of a particular strain of influenza virus to cause diseases in humans or animals depends on the type of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.
Pathogenic for humans are those strains of the virus that contain hemagglutinin of the first - third (H1 - H3) and neuraminidase of the first and second (N1 - N2) types.
In turn, diseases in animals and birds are caused by influenza viruses that contain hemagglutinin from the fourth to tenth (H4 - H10) and neuraminidase from the third to eighth (N3 - N8) types. It is believed that human infection with animal and bird virus strains is impossible.
Of the 16 currently known influenza strains that infect birds, the most pathogenic for birds are the H5N1 and H7N7 strains. For many bird species, infection with this virus is absolutely fatal.
Avian influenza H5N1 and H7N7 pose a particular threat to wild waterfowl and domestic birds - chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, which generally have no immunity to this disease and quickly die after infection.
Don't people get bird flu?
The exception is avian influenza caused by the H5N1 strain. Cases of the disease have been registered among people since 1997. As a rule, this is extremely atypical and is an isolated case of the disease, since the susceptibility of people to this strain of influenza virus is also not high.
Infection mainly occurs through direct contact with infected birds during and at poultry farms, cutting their carcasses, collecting and packaging eggs.
Much less often, infection occurs through eating raw or undercooked eggs.
Recently, there have been reports of the possibility of airborne transmission of the H5N1 influenza virus from birds to humans.
There is no proven evidence of human-to-human transmission of bird flu. However, the concern is that due to mutations and the exchange of genetic material with human influenza viruses, avian influenza viruses can acquire new properties and be transmitted from person to person, including by airborne droplets.
In such a situation, bird flu can turn into a monster that will pose a serious danger to humanity!
The clinical symptoms of avian and “regular” influenza in humans are similar.
Symptoms of bird flu in humans
With bird flu, an average of 2-4 days pass from infection to the first clinical manifestations. Characteristic symptoms are high fever, dry cough, sore throat, muscle pain, migraine. In many cases, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are observed.
If the course is favorable, recovery occurs after seven to ten days. However, more often, avian influenza in humans becomes severe with the development of atypical (viral) pneumonia, acute pulmonary failure and ends in the death of the patient.
Treatment of avian influenza in humans
Treatment of avian influenza in humans is carried out in the same way as treatment of “regular” influenza.
The same drugs are used: antiviral, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, desensitizing, and the like.
In case of severe course or development of complications, treatment is carried out in intensive care and resuscitation departments.
Prevention
To prevent bird flu, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- avoid contact with droppings, secretions, corpses of wild and domestic birds, even if these are isolated cases of their death;
- when in places where birds die, use cotton-gauze bandages and do not touch the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth and nose with your hands;
- buy poultry meat in specialized departments of stores and markets;
- Consume poultry meat and eggs only after proper heat treatment.
Important to remember! If symptoms of an acute respiratory disease appear within 5 days of being in the place where the birds died, you should definitely seek the help of a doctor.
Antiviral therapy started in the first days of illness with avian influenza significantly increases the chances of recovery.
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Avian influenza (avian influenza, H5N1) is an acute infectious disease of birds, which is characterized by damage to the respiratory tract, digestive system and high mortality. It is a particularly dangerous infection due to the fact that avian influenza strains have a high degree of virulence (the ability to infect) and variability (changeability).
It was first discovered in 1878 by the Italian veterinarian Perroncito and was named chicken typhus, later also called chicken plague. But with the discovery of the viral nature of the disease and the establishment that this virus is an influenza virus, the disease was first called avian influenza, and then avian influenza.
The avian influenza virus is Influenza virus A, belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. It has a characteristic structure and set of antigens. There are 16 known variations in the structure of hemagglutinin (letter H) and 9 neuraminidase (letter N) of this virus. Thus, 144 combinations can be detected that determine the subtype of the virus. Currently, 86 combinations have actually been discovered. For birds, the most pathogenic variants were H5 and H7.
The virus is unstable in external environment and dies in low concentrations of disinfectant solutions. For a long time Can be stored in cold environments.
The natural reservoir of the virus is wild migratory birds (usually wild ducks), which have natural resistance to this virus, but poultry, when infected with the avian influenza virus, in most cases dies.
H5N1, or more correctly A/H5N1, is the same combination of bird flu that, according to WHO experts and many epidemiologists, can cause another one on Earth. H5N1 is a highly virulent strain that can currently only be transmitted to humans through direct contact with an infected bird.
Infection of a person with this virus most likely occurs when the virus, as a result of mutations and reassortment (combination) of avian, swine and human viruses, makes a qualitative leap and acquires the ability to infect humans.
The first cases of human avian influenza were reported in Hong Kong in 1997. Mortality from of this type flu accounted for 60% of the number of people infected with this virus, but perhaps the percentage of deaths from this type of influenza may be lower due to the fact that patients with a mild form of the virus simply did not seek medical help. The region where the virus is currently spreading is Southeast Asia.
Due to the fact that this virus can only be transmitted to humans from birds, the number of cases is small compared to regular seasonal influenza, but due to the high virulence and mortality from this infection, experts note concern about the possible mutation of the avian influenza virus when it can be transmitted from person to person, which could lead to an epidemic or even pandemic of influenza similar to the Spanish flu of 1918-1919, which led to the death of 50-100 million people. Experts express fears that a new pandemic, which could be caused by bird flu, will kill 5-150 million people worldwide.
Symptoms of the disease in birds
Incubation period ranges from 20 hours to 2 days. The disease is manifested by lethargy of the bird and decreased egg production. The sick bird drinks greedily. The feathers are ruffled, redness of the mucous membranes is observed, there is exudate in the nasal openings, and before death, blue discoloration (cyanosis) of the comb and earrings is observed. Diarrhea may occur and the droppings may take on a greenish tint. Convulsions and gait disturbances may occur.
At autopsy, a large number of hemorrhages in the respiratory tract and digestive tract, including the liver and kidneys of a dead bird.
Sick birds are not treated. The bird is destroyed.
Symptoms of the disease in humans
For people infected with bird flu from a sick bird, the following symptoms are typical:
- fever (temperature increased to 39 degrees)
- chills
- headache
- dry cough
- pharyngitis
- muscle pain
- conjunctivitis
- in severe cases, there is vomiting, breathing problems and the development of pneumonia with subsequent death
- in one case, diarrhea was noted, followed by the development of coma
Among the features of H5N1, it is worth noting the fact that the presence of the virus in the body leads to the so-called “cytokine storm”, when the immune system, in response to the virus, releases into the body large number cytokines (in relation to H5N1 influenza much larger number cytokines than other influenza viruses), which leads to the appearance of symptoms of the disease (fever, headache, chills, vomiting). Cytokines lead to the destruction of tissue in the area of infection and, as a result of their excessive release due to imbalance of the immune system, can lead to the death of one’s own body.
Treatment of bird flu
Currently specific medicines against avian influenza are neuraminidase inhibitors: 2nd generation (zanamivir, trademark Relenza) and 3rd generation (trademark Tamiflu). The ability of others to affect the avian influenza virus has not been proven.
Considering the severity of the disease, the use of influenza infection is possible in conjunction with specific therapy aimed at the pathogen. That is, it can be used subject to the prescription of Tamiflu or Relenza, to maintain and nonspecifically stimulate the defenses of the patient’s body.
Prevention
There is no vaccine for bird flu. Currently, a large number of companies and institutes (from Europe, the USA, Russia and China) are working on creating a vaccine against bird flu, but so far to no avail.
They will probably be effective against bird flu if it can be transmitted from person to person, and, of course, it is worth applying specific preventive measures, given the nature of transmission of this virus:
- do not allow children to play with wild and sick birds
- Do not touch or eat meat from dead birds.
- In case of death of a bird, the local veterinarian must be notified
- dead birds must be buried after putting on a respirator, and then thoroughly wash your hands and change clothes
- poultry meat and eggs should be thoroughly cooked
- Store meat and semi-finished poultry products in the refrigerator separately from other products
- if symptoms arise after contact with an infected bird, you must consult a doctor, informing the medical staff about such contact
Among chicken diseases, avian influenza in chickens is the most dangerous. This disease is also called classical plague due to its high mortality rate. It brings great losses to farms and private farms. The death rate of chickens ranges from 10 to 100% of the chicken population.
Bird flu is the most dangerous viral disease
Wild birds are highly resistant to this virus and are only carriers of the disease. Waterfowl, especially ducks, pose the greatest danger. For them, the flu does not pose any danger and passes without visible symptoms.
Danger of the disease and methods of transmission
Bird flu is dangerous because the virus constantly mutates and its strains are quickly updated. New modified forms of influenza are appearing, which makes it impossible to create vaccines against it. Sick birds experience symptoms such as damage to the digestive system and respiratory failure.
Young animals are primarily susceptible to the disease. This can be contributed to by inadequate feeding, transportation and over-compacted planting. The virus subsequently spreads to healthy chickens.
At home, avian influenza can be spread in the following ways:
- chickens that are sick or have had the flu excrete a lot of active virus in their excreta;
- The virus can be transmitted through infected dishes, feeders and trays. Sources may include eggs and chicken feathers;
- Small rodents are also carriers of bird flu.
Scientists Oxford University We have been studying this problem for quite a long time. They proved that mass death poultry occurs due to the fact that they do not have time to develop protective immunity due to their short life span. This is why the number of bird flu outbreaks has increased so sharply recently.
The reason for the mass death of chickens is low immunity
Forms of bird flu
There are 15 varieties of chicken flu known to exist. The most dangerous viruses are H5N1 and H7N7. They cause acute and most dangerous disease in chickens It takes a short period of time to damage a bird’s body. One hundred percent death of the chicken population occurs within 2 days.
The disease in a mild form goes away on its own and has no obvious symptoms. Egg production decreases slightly and the condition of the feathers deteriorates.
If chickens are sick with bird flu in a more severe form, then characteristic symptoms can be recognized within the first 20 hours. The incubation period can last from 3 to 5 days.
Avian influenza is characterized by acute, subacute and chronic forms. Subacute and chronic degrees of the disease last from 10 to 25 days. Recovery occurs in 80% of cases. The likelihood of mass mortality at this stage is unlikely.
If infection occurs with a low-pathogenic strain, the disease becomes chronic. Symptoms are subtle or completely absent.
Chickens are susceptible to 15 types of bird flu
Symptoms of avian influenza
The main symptoms of acute avian influenza include the following:
- there is a sharp decrease in egg production;
- Anorexia sets in, as sick birds refuse to eat;
- chickens are depressed appearance, feathers are very ruffled;
- mucous tissues become inflamed. Thick mucus is released that completely clogs the airways;
- heavy wheezing is heard, breathing becomes intermittent;
- the temperature rises, it can reach 40-44⁰С;
- diarrhea appears, the droppings are brown with a green tint;
- seizures begin and neurosis appears.
When infected with avian influenza, the nervous system of chickens is primarily affected. This is evidenced by symptoms such as:
- chickens suffer from incoordination of movement. They begin to stagger, cannot stand on their feet, and often fall;
- curvature of the wings and neck occurs, they acquire an unnatural position;
- there is no reaction to external stimuli;
- Sick individuals experience severe thirst, and subsequent pulmonary edema leads to death.
Avian influenza virus strikes nervous system and leads to pulmonary edema
H5N1 influenza subtype
Bird flu subtype H5N1, the most insidious and dangerous, has the following symptoms:
- damage occurs to the bird's vascular system;
- sick chickens suffer from internal hemorrhages;
- blood circulation is disrupted;
- On the first day, cerebral edema occurs.
The suspected diagnosis is confirmed by a number of studies. Avian influenza subtype H5N1 exists if:
- the avian influenza virus was discovered and identified;
- all subtypes of avian influenza have been identified;
- the presence of RNA (ribonucleic acid) has been proven.
There are antibodies to hemagglutinins, characteristic of the H5 subtype; antibodies are not associated with vaccination.
It is possible for several varieties of the virus to circulate simultaneously. The causes of avian influenza infection on farms are:
- the infection could have entered with feed;
- if infected equipment and inventory were used;
- if there was no disinfection of meat and egg chicken containers. It is carried out using bleach, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide or phenol. They are able to quickly inactivate the virus.
Four stages of avian influenza disease
The virus multiplies on the mucous tissues of the bird. In a short time (4 hours) it penetrates into the blood, destroying red blood cells.
In its development in the body, the virus goes through four stages:
- at the first stage, the virus multiplies and accumulates in the body;
- the second stage or stage of virosemia, characterized by the fact that the virus is easily detected in the blood of sick chickens;
- at the third stage, viruses do not multiply, and the body begins to produce antibodies;
- at the last 4th stage, the accumulation of antibodies continues, and the body begins to resist the disease, i.e. immunity begins to develop.
Viruses are toxic and release substances that are toxic to the life of birds at the viremia stage. Therefore, chicken mortality at this stage is maximum.
The virus acts by destroying red blood cells
Flu diagnosis and prevention
Bird flu disease is confirmed by autopsy of dead birds. There are a number of symptoms and signs that help determine the presence of the virus:
- catarrhal-hemorrhagic changes are detected in the mucous membranes of the digestive system;
- all respiratory organs of the bird are affected, which swell greatly;
- the digestive system suffers, the functioning of the stomach and spleen is disrupted, which leads to significant weight loss in the bird.
With further development of the disease internal organs chickens are unable to function normally.
The disease is diagnosed based on isolating the influenza virus strain from the specimen. Blood serum is analyzed for different stages diseases. These symptoms indicate that the bird is sick with avian influenza.
There is no cure for bird flu. All sick birds are killed to prevent further spread of the virus.
It is not recommended to eat meat from sick birds. Prevention of the disease consists of limiting contact between poultry and wild birds.
If bird flu is reported in nearby areas, the bird must be completely isolated and kept indoors for at least 21 days. The slightest symptoms and signs of disease are checked by the veterinary service.
There is no cure for bird flu, so sick birds are destroyed
To implement personal protection, you must follow the following tips, which are developed and recommended by WHO:
- contact of children with wild birds is prohibited;
- dead chickens are disposed of in specially designated areas or burned;
- It is necessary to use a mask, respirator and gloves when disposing of sick bird carcasses. It is mandatory to wash your face and hands with soap upon completion of work. Clothing must be treated with special disinfectants;
- It is prohibited to eat eggs and untested meat of sick poultry;
- for storing meat and chicken eggs the refrigerator should have separate drawers;
- Having discovered a sick bird, you must immediately inform the veterinary service;
- if contacts lead to acute respiratory diseases similar to influenza, then consultation with a doctor is necessary.
The mass death of chickens from bird flu causes great economic damage. Quarantine measures, veterinary and sanitary treatments are organized, and sick birds are destroyed.
Bird flu is a highly contagious virus. The disease can pass without symptoms, or, on the contrary, lead to death. Unfortunately, one of the strains of the disease has become especially destructive and dangerous for people. Influenza is often transmitted by wild waterfowl that carry the virus during migration, with a low incidence rate. For domestic breeds of birds, on the contrary, the disease is destructive.
Source of the disease
Bird flu is classified as influenza A virus, which has a complex structure. There are two antigenic types pathogenic for birds: H7N7 and H5N1. These viruses lead to the complete death of poultry. However, over the past decade, the virus has undergone repeated mutations and acquired the ability to infect not only birds, but also pigs and humans. In the latter case, the disease progresses rapidly and in severe form, often leading to death.
The infection is transmitted by airborne droplets through human interaction with infected birds, both living and dead. To date, no cases of people infecting each other have been identified.
Symptoms of the disease
The incubation period for bird flu lasts about 3 days. However, in some situations given period may vary from 1 to 14 days. Symptoms in humans include the following clinical syndromes:
- infectious-toxic;
- gastrointestinal;
- respiratory.
Since the virus is highly pathogenic for humans, the onset of influenza is very acute. The patient begins to shiver, has a sore throat, runny nose and muscle pain. There is a disorder in the stool, even watery. Vomiting, in which blood may be detected. From the first day of infection, the virus is accompanied by a high temperature (38–40 degrees). After a couple of days, breathing becomes harsh, wheezing and a strong cough with sputum and blood appear, and shortness of breath begins. Thus, respiratory signs appear.
Diagnosis and complications
At the first signs of the disease, the patient is prescribed an x-ray. Using this procedure, numerous inflammatory foci are detected, which rapidly merge with each other and spread throughout the tissues, sometimes forming compactions.
The subsequent course of the virus causes various complications: respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome appear. This syndrome is characterized by difficulty breathing, lack of oxygen, inflammation and swelling of the lungs. Often these complications lead to the death of the patient.
Peripheral blood analysis reveals low level leukocytes, decreased normal levels of platelets and lymphocytes. The levels of creatinine, ALT and AST, on the contrary, are significantly increased.
Children under three years of age are considered a special risk group. The disease can cause the development of encephalitis, which causes severe headaches and vomiting. Impaired consciousness is possible.
Treatment is significantly complicated by untimely referral to specialists, the presence of other diseases and the patient, and a low level of immunity. The disease often leads to adverse consequences (50–60% fatal). In many cases, the second week of illness ends in death. A patient who has had this type of influenza has a sharp decrease in immunity, which makes him vulnerable to re-infection.
Because the symptoms of avian influenza are similar to those of regular influenza, identifying the disease at an early stage is quite difficult. A doctor can make an accurate diagnosis in several cases:
- if a mass death of poultry has been recorded in the patient’s place of residence;
- the patient is a veterinarian or poultry farm worker;
- the person has recently returned from a country where there was an outbreak of bird flu.
Treatment methods
Treatment of the disease includes several measures:
- Strict mode. Patients suspected of avian influenza are admitted to the hospital. I can discharge the patient no earlier than in a week, provided that the body temperature is completely normalized and becomes stable.
- A mandatory step in treatment is taking antiviral drugs that have wide range actions.
- In order to reduce high temperature accompanying the disease, the patient is prescribed antipyretics, which enhance the effect of antiviral drugs.
Remember, it is impossible to cure a bird flu infection on your own at home. At the first signs of illness, immediately seek qualified medical help.
When treating bird flu, taking analgin and aspirin is strictly prohibited. Prescription of antibiotics may be justified by suspicion of bacterial pneumonia. Severe pneumonia with possible complications often requires taking hormonal medications.
Treatment for different strains of influenza infection is largely similar, but also has certain differences. For a better understanding of this issue, we advise you to read the publication “Treatment of Hong Kong flu”.
Preventive measures
Emergency prevention of the influenza A virus in question is carried out medicines based on interferon (Amiksin, Cycloferon, etc.). The sooner your appointment starts necessary medications, the higher the likelihood of a favorable course of the disease. The appointment is indicated for people who are at risk, as well as for workers in medical institutions monitoring infectious patients with influenza pneumonia.
The Ministry of Health encourages influenza vaccination, especially in areas where there is a high probability of an avian influenza epidemic. This will protect the patient from exposure to known strains of the group A virus, which lead to the rapid development of the disease. To date, there is no special vaccine that blocks bird flu, so it is extremely dangerous. In order to protect the population as much as possible, all workers who come into contact with poultry are subject to preventive measures.
Everyone should know the necessary preventive measures to protect yourself and your loved ones from infection:
- strictly prohibit children from contact with sick domestic and wild bird species;
- do not touch or eat dead or sick birds;
- If you find a dead bird, you must immediately bury it, covering your face with a mask and wearing gloves on your hands. Don't let other people near her. After the work done, wash your hands thoroughly with an antiseptic and change clothes;
- poultry meat and eggs used for food should be well boiled. These products can only be stored in the refrigerator separately from others;
- If you find an unhealthy bird, you should immediately notify your local veterinarian;
- If you have had contact with a sick bird, after which you feel unwell, consult a doctor immediately.
WHO is concerned about the possibility of a mutation in the disease, as a result of which avian influenza will begin to be transmitted from person to person. In this case, the problem will take on catastrophic proportions and will affect not individual areas, but entire countries and continents. In this case, a terrible pandemic is possible.
Bird flu- This infectious disease birds, which is caused by 15 varieties of influenza virus. In 1997, it was found that one type of avian influenza virus contributes to the disease not only in birds, but also in humans, leading to damage to the respiratory tract.
Such overcoming of the barrier between species was made possible due to numerous mutations of the virus.
Causes of bird flu
The disease is caused by influenza A virus subtype H5N1. On the surface of the virus there are antigen proteins - hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), which act as “spikes”. Due to hemagglutinin, the virus “sticks” to the cells of the mucous membrane, and with the help of neuraminidase, it penetrates into the cells and, after multiplying, comes out back into them. Different combinations of H and N proteins determine influenza virus subtypes.
The source of infection for avian influenza is wild waterfowl (wild ducks and geese), which themselves do not get sick. When they stop in ponds with stagnant water, they introduce a virus with their feces that can live up to 400 days. optimal temperatures- from +10-12° to +30°С. The virus is transmitted through water to waterfowl, and from it to other domestic birds. Turkeys, chickens and ducks are most susceptible to infection.
Humans can become infected with avian influenza through respiratory droplets by inhaling droplets of mucus or saliva produced by sick poultry when they cough or sneeze. Contact transmission of the virus is also possible by touching objects that contain saliva from a sick bird or bird droppings.
The avian influenza virus can survive for many years at temperatures below minus 70°C. Consequently, the risk of virus persistence in chilled and frozen poultry meat increases. But fried or boiled chicken meat there cannot be a virus, since it dies already at 70°C. The virus cannot withstand repeated (more than five times) freezing and thawing. But when eaten raw eggs There is a risk of contracting bird flu from a sick bird.
The risk of getting avian flu is higher among poultry farm workers, rural residents who keep poultry, as well as children, pregnant women and the elderly.
Symptoms of bird flu
The incubation period for bird flu ranges from several hours to five days. This is the time that passes from the moment of infection to the appearance of symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms of avian influenza are similar to those of severe regular influenza in humans. Body temperature rises to 38-40 degrees, chills, severe headache, pain in muscles and joints occur. This is accompanied by severe weakness, loss of appetite, sore throat, cough, and runny nose. Conjunctivitis may develop - redness of the eyes, a feeling of sand in the eyes, watery eyes. In some cases, loose, watery stools (diarrhea) and repeated vomiting appear.
Why is it dangerous?
Complications of avian influenza include severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which can lead to severe respiratory failure and death of the patient. It is also possible to develop sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis, myocarditis, pericarditis and renal failure. Complications from the lungs, kidneys and heart can lead to death in 50% of patients with avian influenza.
Diagnosis of bird flu
Diagnosis of bird flu is carried out by a general practitioner and an infectious disease specialist.
To confirm the diagnosis of avian influenza, a blood test is performed for antibodies to the influenza virus, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of discharge from the nose and throat, as well as rapid tests.
Treatment of bird flu
A person sick with bird flu is urgently hospitalized in a hospital and placed in a separate room (isolated from others).
A patient with bird flu must remain on strict bed rest. Antiviral drugs (neurominidase inhibitors), antipyretics, drugs to facilitate breathing through the nose (vasoconstrictor drops or sprays), antitussives (expectorants, mucolytics) are prescribed.
If complications develop, the patient may need artificial ventilation lungs (ventilation) or hemodialysis (for severe kidney damage).
Nota Bene!
The bird flu virus is not transmitted from person to person. Scientists fear that if this becomes possible as a result of virus mutations, a pandemic will arise, the outcome of which is difficult to predict.
Interesting facts
- Avian influenza was first described in 1878 by the Italian veterinarian Eduardo Perroncito. He called the disease chicken typhus. In birds sick with influenza, the number of eggs laid decreases, breathing problems may occur, and a lack of coordination of movements is detected - head rotation, neck curvature, lack of response to stimuli, and a depressed state. If the flu occurs at lightning speed, the birds quickly die before symptoms of the disease appear.
- The first cases of human infection with avian influenza virus were recorded in Hong Kong in 1997 during an outbreak of influenza in poultry. At that time, 18 people fell ill, and 6 of them died. Researchers have found that the culprit of the disease was the H5N1 virus. It was then established that the virus is transmitted from birds to humans.
- From February 2003 to September 2009, according to the World Health Organization, in 16 countries around the world, 442 people were confirmed infected with the avian influenza virus, half of them died. The last death from avian influenza was in January 2009 in China.
Prevention of bird flu
To prevent the spread of avian influenza, healthy poultry are vaccinated against the disease and those that become ill are destroyed.
To prevent avian influenza, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends:
- do not touch wild birds or sick poultry;
- do not touch or use dead or sick birds for cooking;
- do not eat raw or undercooked poultry meat and eggs;
- poultry meat and eggs must be stored in the refrigerator separately from other products;
- if a sick bird is discovered, you must inform the veterinary service;
- If flu-like symptoms appear after contact with a bird, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Expert: Khromova G.V., Candidate of Medical Sciences, infectious disease specialist
Prepared based on materials:
- Shuvalova E. P. Infectious diseases. - M.: Medicine, 2005.
