Bird Flu - The Avian Bird Flu influenza

What do we know about the bird flu? Basically it's  a viral illness that usually strikes only the bird population. The avian bird flu can affect birds of all types, this includes both wild birds and the domestic birds, such as our chickens and turkeys.

The symptoms of the bird flu can run a large gambit. It's not uncommon for some of the wild birds to carry the virus and not show any symptoms, and for our domestic fowl, our chickens and turkeys, to become ill and even to die from the same virus strain.

There are several strains of the avian bird flu influenza. These strains of bird flu can totally wipe out entire groups of birds and domestic fowl, sometimes in just a matter of a couple of days. There are other strains that are not so severe. They are what is known being low pathogenic. Their symptoms may only affect the number of eggs that the chicken lays, or it may make some of the feathers become ruffled and fall out.

What do we know about the human factor? Usually the avian bird flu influenza is found only in bird populations, there have been recent instances where other animals and even  humans have been infected with the bird flu. The strain bird flu responsible for this is named, H5N1. This first appeared in Asia in 2004. It has infected just a small number of humans. Those persons who became ill were people for the most part that were in direct contact with infected birds or with the bird droppings. Several of the people, usually farmers, or people in open market places that deal with domestic fowl, have died. These people contacted the illness directly from the birds, so far there have not been any cases of the flu virus being spread by human to human contact.

The fear from the WHO, (World Health Organization,) is that the bird flu influenza may mutate, thus allowing a human to human transmission. If this mutation should occur, the result could very well be an influenza pandemic. Even though there has not been any cases of human to human spread of the H5N1 to date, the WHO is watching the disease very closely. They are also advising countries and governments, especially in Asia and Europe in the proper containment and control procedures to limit the spread of the bird flu influenza.

The concerns of the WHO is that if the current strain of the bird flu influenza does mutate and become a human viral strain, the effects can have a global impact. If you take into consideration our ease of travel, the bird flu could spread the disease to all corners of the world. With this in mind, the WHO is recommending that governments and countries create emergency plans. They will need to address the needs of the population should a pandemic occur.

For individuals they are recommending that you have large supply of non-perishable foods, and water in containers. You should also have medications and emergency supplies available at home, and be prepared for any such emergency. Preparation is going to be the key to surviving an out-break of the avian bird flu influence.