Bird Flu Disease

This scary disease has received plenty of media attention in the past and in many areas is still an important topic. In North America people are not presently at risk regarding the bird flu disease. However in areas where this flu is prominent, individuals who have direct contact with infected birds, either wild or domestic, are at risk of contracting this disease. Infected birds spread the virus through se cretions and excretions. Not only can a person become infected through direct contact with these birds, but handling anything that has been contaminated by the virus, individuals can become quite ill.

The bird flu disease causes symptoms in humans similar to typical or seasonal influenza. People experience a sore throat, coughing, headaches and muscle aches. In more severe cases the disease can cause serious respiratory problems and even death. It’s unfortunate that there is no magic cure. Often patients are prescribed medications normally given for seasonal influenza. Continuing research offers hope for the future and optimism for an effective vaccine to treat and perhaps prevent the this disease.

There are many strains of this disease. Most of them do not infect humans, again unless close contact with infected birds and contaminated objects is made. Right now, at this point in time, there doesn’t seem to be a risk of a pandemic. However, viruses have the ability to change and perhaps one day the avian flu disease may be easily passed from one individual to another. If this ever becomes the case, because this disease is quite contagious among birds, it may well become just as contagious among humans. If this should happen, there may be a risk of a pandemic. What is now a problem in Asia, Africa and parts of Europe could very well become a global concern.

Bird flu January 2008 Egypt -- In January of 2008 four people in Egypt died of avian flu, but health officials deny that there's a pandemic. However, sixteen other people were hospitalized as suspected cases of the disease in Egypt. The H5N1 strain has been found in the Nile Delta in homestead poultry. In 2006 this flu was detected in Egypt and as of this report, 19 have died of the disease.

Bird flu vaccine for poultry -- There are vaccines to help protect poultry from the avian flu, but there is a need for continued assessment of the vaccine.

Latest news about bird flu -- Officials in Jakarta, Indoniesa, want pandemic vaccines to be available to developing nations.

Where has bird flu spread? It has peppered Europe as well as Africa and is often carried by migrating wild birds. Its origin was in southern China, but then soon traveled to numerous places in Europe and Africa. Scientists don't discern any apparent pattern in the spread of the disease, so no one can tell where it will strike next. They are certain it will strike again though. Scientists aren't even sure which birds are the main carriers.

Bird flu mutation arrived -- Scientists believe that the avian flu's ability to mutate and infect humans presents great danger to humans. Studies by researchers in Vietnam reveal that this disease is adapting to humans beings.

Airport bird flu Kuwait -- This disease has even been fund in Kuwait City which may be first place this disease has appeared in the Middle East. It seems that the disease was discovered in a quarantined peacock from Asia. A flamingo was discovered on a beach was detected with the disease too. So far no humans have contracted the disease in Kuwait at the time of this report.
 

Bird flu pandemic status -- You need to be aware of the fact that there is a difference between seasonal flu, pandemic flu and avian flu. Pandemic means worldwide infection not limited to a specific country or continent. No one even knows if there will be a pandemic of avian flu, but there still is concern about the possibility.

Avian bird flu Virginia -- 54,000 turkeys on a farm in Shenandoah County displayed avian flu antibodies and so the state of Virginia put a stop to the sale of live poultry and shows at one time.