The outbreak of bird flu has
been the talk of the town during these days.
So how will you know if you already have this disease?
The symptoms of bird flu in
humans are similar to those of regular influenza and include:
·
Fever
·
Sore throat
·
Cough
·
Headache
·
Aching muscles
Complications Of
Bird flu
Bird flu in humans can cause a range of serious and
potentially fatal complications, including:
·
Eye infections
·
Pneumonia, including viral pneumonia
·
Acute respiratory distress
·
Inflammation of the brain and heart.
What to do?
Tell your doctor if you've
been to a country where there is bird flu.
If you have recently returned
from a country that had an outbreak of bird flu and you get flu symptoms, see
your doctor immediately. When making the appointment, tell the clinic staff
about your travel including any visits to markets, farms or anywhere else where
birds were present.
Influenza viruses
can mutate
Influenza viruses that infect
animal species can mutate and infect humans. The human immune system may have
no defences against viruses that previously only infected animals. That's why
infection with these viruses can result in more severe disease in people.
If the H5N1 bird flu virus
were to mix with a human influenza virus, such a 'combined' virus could create
a new human influenza virus that could spread rapidly.
Health experts are concerned that
the current bird flu affecting Asia could become a worldwide pandemic if the
virus does mutate. The worst influenza pandemic in modern history was the
Spanish flu, which occurred in 1918–19 and killed up to 50 million people.
Measures to contain the spread
of the current bird flu virus include identifying and culling affected poultry
flocks, research into tests and vaccines, and rigorous quarantine practices.
Treatment options
Several antiviral medications
used to treat human influenza are also effective for bird flu. These could be
used if a person developed symptoms after possible exposure to bird flu, or to
prevent illness in a person who was in close contact with bird flu. Currently
testing for bird flu vaccines is an ongoing process.
At the moment, there is no
need for people living in USA, or people making short visits to countries with
cases of bird flu, to have antiviral medications. Americans living long-term in
countries affected by bird flu should consider having a supply of antiviral medications
in the home to use on medical advice should the situation change while they are
away from the US.
The Federal government is
stockpiling Relenza and Tamiflu, two drugs that may be used in the treatment of
human cases of bird flu. In the case of an outbreak in humans, these drugs
would be used to maintain essential services, prevent transmission and provide
treatment for people who are already ill.
A vaccine against bird flu is
in development, but is not currently available. The current influenza vaccines
will not protect humans against bird flu. However, people who may be exposed to
bird flu should consider being vaccinated against human influenza viruses to
reduce the risk of the viruses 'mixing' to form a new flu strain.
Advice for
travellers
Be aware of the risk of bird flu if you are travelling to
a country where outbreaks are occurring. Suggestions include:
·
Avoid contact with wild or domesticated birds
such as chickens, ducks and geese. Don't go to farms or market places, since
these are the primary carriers of bird flu
·
Stop young children from putting contaminated
objects or their own fingers into their mouths.
·
Eggshells may be contaminated with bird faeces.
Wash eggs thoroughly before breaking and wash your hands thoroughly after
handling eggs.
·
Avoid foods that contain uncooked egg, such as
mayonnaise.
·
Wash hands, chopping boards and utensils
thoroughly after handling raw poultry.
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