Avian Bird Flu: Frequently Asked Questions & What You Should Know
The growing number of cases of avian influenza, or avian bird flu in Asian countries is causing increasing concern. But what is the disease and what are the possible risks to humans?
| Q: How do humans catch avian flu? Q: What is the number of people who have been affected? Q: Does avian flu pass from person to person? Q: Are there any chances of a large outbreak of avian bird flu? Q: What would be the consequences if such a virus came to exist? Q. Does avian bird flu have different strains? Q: Is any vaccine available for this disease? Q: Would eating chicken increase my chances of infection? Q: How are affected countries responding to the avian bird flu? |
| Q: How do humans catch avian flu? |
It was initially believed that Avian Flu only affected birds. However, the first human victims surfaced in Hong Kong in 1997. Generally, we will fall prey to the disease when we come in close contact with live infected birds. The virus is excreted by infected birds, which is then inhaled by humans when it pulverizes. Avian bird flu is tough to diagnose, on account of the fact that its symptoms are similar to other types of flu - fever, malaise, sore throats and coughs. Development of Conjunctivitis was also seen in several victims. In addition, cases were recorded in Vietnam, in which the effects of the virus had taken hold, in all parts of the body, opposed to just the lungs than just the lungs. As a result, fatalities that may have previously been put down to other causes may have in actual fact, resulted from Avian Bird flu. |
| Q: What is the number of people who have been affected? |
Since 2003, as of 23rd March 2009, there have been 412 confirmed cases of avian bird flu reported to World Health Organization with 256 deaths around the world. Fatality rates for avian bird flu are believed to be much higher that other comparable diseases. Take for example Sars; since it first surfaced in November 2002, Sars infected at least 8400 people around the world, although the number of people who succumbed was around 800, a less than 10% fatality rate. Currently, avian bird flu has a mortality rate of 62%. |
| Q: Does avian flu pass from person to person? |
Indications, studies and symptoms all suggest it can, but so far, the virus does not seem to have mutated into a form where it could spread a pandemic. For example: A girl who was affected by avian bird flu is believed to have passed the disease on to her mother who also died. On the other hand, the girl’s aunt also picked up the infection but managed to survive. After studying these cases, UK Virology expert Professor John Oxford said these cases were indicative of the fact that the basic virus was capable of passing between humans and would most likely be seen again in similar small and closed clusters. Again, the above case is not the only incident when it is believed the avian bird flu passed between humans. In 2004, two sisters died in Vietnam after possibly contracting bird flu from their brother who had died from an unidentified respiratory illness. In Hong Kong too in 1997, a doctor possibly contracted the disease from a patient. |
| Q: Are there any chances of a large outbreak of avian bird flu? |
While most of the cases reported so far have shown no indication of the virus jumping quickly from one human to another, the possibility can not be ignored. Moreover, the virus is yet to combine with any known form of human flu virus. But scientists and experts fear that if a person was infected with both viruses simultaneously, the chances of the avian virus exchanging genes with the human virus were very much possible. This would result in a mutated virus with the power to not just infect humans more easily but also pass along much more quickly and effectively. |
| Q: What would be the consequences if such a virus came to exist? |
The results of such a possibility could only be catastrophic. Experts around the world are of the opinion that once the virus gained the ability to pass easily between humans, it could easily cause anywhere between 2 million to 50 million deaths worldwide. U.K. alone could account for more than 50,000 fatalities. |
| Q. Does avian bird flu have different strains? |
The avian bird flu is known to have 15 different strains. Of these, the H5N1 strain is the one that is infecting humans and causing widespread death. Variations have been found even within the H5N1 strain with slight differences being seen in different countries that became affected by the outbreak. Moreover, all of these strains were different to those seen in the past. Pakistan recently announced discovery of cases of the H-7 and H-9 in poultry, but no cases of these strains being passed to humans. |
| Q: Is any vaccine available for this disease? |
While a perfect vaccine is yet to be developed, pharmaceutical companies across the world are working to produce prototypes that offer protection against H5N1. At the same time, antiviral drugs, which help to limit symptoms and combat the disease, are already available on the market to date. Tamiflu is a prime example of such progressive treatments. |
| Q: Would eating chicken increase my chances of infection? |
No. Experts have found that the avian flu virus is not food borne, so eating chicken should be safe enough. In the opinion of Professor Hugh Pennington of Aberdeen University, "The virus is carried in the chicken's gut. "A person would have to dry out the chicken meat and would have to sniff the carcass to be at any risk. But even then, the chances of getting infected were very low." |
| Q: How are affected countries responding to the avian bird flu? |
In South East Asian countries as well as Russia, authorities have culled millions of birds to ensure that the disease does not spread among birds or further among humans either. Experts are of the belief that people in the UK are at "very low risk" of developing the disease but the possibility can not be ruled out. |
