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Bird
Flu News |
What
is the Bird Flu? |
How
does bird flu spread and what are my risks?
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Bird Flu Protection
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U.S.
President George W. Bush Address - November 1,
2005:
"...there
is reason to be concerned. In the last century,
our country and the world have been hit by three
influenza pandemics -- and viruses from birds
contributed to all of them. The first, which struck
in 1918, killed over half-a-million Americans
and more than 20 million people across the globe.
One-third of the U.S. population was infected,
and life expectancy in our country was reduced
by 13 years. The 1918 pandemic was followed by
pandemics in 1957
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and 1968 which killed tens of thousands of Americans,
and millions across the world." U.S.
President George W. Bush - November 1, 2005 |
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What is the
Bird Flu?
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put, Bird Flu (actual name "Avian Influenza")
is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza
(flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally
among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses
in their intestines, but usually do not get sick
from them. However, bird flu is very contagious
among birds and can make some domesticated birds,
including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick
and kill them. |
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Bird
flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but
several cases of human infection with bird flu
viruses have occurred since 1997.
Bird
Flu is different from human flu in that when we
talk about "bird flu viruses", we are
referring to those that continue to occur mainly
in birds. They do not usually infect humans, even
though we know can
do so. When we talk about “human flu viruses”
we are referring to those that occur widely in
humans. |
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How does bird flu
spread and what are my risks?
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Infected
birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions,
and feces. It is believed that most cases of bird
flu infection in humans have resulted from contact
with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.
During an outbreak of bird flu among poultry,
there is a risk to people who have contact with
infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated
with excretions from infected birds. The current
outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N1) among poultry
in Asia is an example of a bird flu outbreak that
has caused human infections and deaths.
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The
first case of spread from a bird to a human was seen
during an outbreak in poultry in Hong Kong. The virus
caused severe respiratory illness in 18 people, 6
of whom died. Since that time, there have been other
cases of infection among humans. Click
here for some products to help in preventing the bird
flu.
The
death rate for these reported cases has been about
50 percent.
So
far, spread of Bird Flu from person to person has been
rare. However, because all influenza viruses have the
ability to change, scientists are concerned that the
virus could one day be able to infect humans and spread
easily from one person to another. There is little or
no immune protection against these viruses. If the virus
were to infect people and spread easily from person
to person, an “influenza pandemic” (worldwide
outbreak of disease) could begin.
No
one can predict when a pandemic might occur and experts
from around the world are watching the situation in
Asia very closely and are preparing for the possibility
that the virus may begin to spread more easily and widely
from person to person.
The
President then announced that he would ask Congress
for $7.1 billion in emergency funding to prepare the
country for a possible flu pandemic.
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What Can I Do
To Protect My Family Against the Bird Flu?
At
present there is no vaccine for preventing Bird
Flu in humans. Influenza vaccine cannot prevent
(but can help reduce the effects of) Bird Flu as the
vaccine was meant for human influenza. Good hygiene
is key when working to avoid the Flu. Clean your hands
thoroughly. Washing your hands often will help protect
you from germs. Click
here for some convenient and powerful items to help
aid in warding off Flu infections.
If
you have flu symptoms, consult a doctor and wear a mask
to prevent spreading the disease. You should wear a
mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms, if
you are going to a hospital or clinic, or if you are
caring for a patient with fever or respiratory symptoms.
Avoid crowded places with poor ventilation. Clean your
hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you
from germs.
Much
of the information on this page was compiled and excerpted
from documents provided by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. Please visit www.cdc.gov for more information. |
