Bird Flu Article

Bird Flu Article: "Bird Flu Article

Spreading Of Avian Flu From Birds To Humans

Avian or bird flu has affected many people and is a menace to several nations. It spreads from birds to humans but the mechanism is not very well known. The spreading of the flu virus starts from migratory birds. Low pathogenic bird flu virus carried by the migratory birds into domestic poultry gets mutated to become highly pathogenic. This virus then gets transmitted to humans though direct spread of the virus from wild birds also cannot be ruled out.

Out of the various types of bird flu viruses, the H5N1 is the most lethal. It has been responsible for the greatest no. of deaths in human beings and severely affects the human respiratory system. It usually results in viral pneumonia and multiple organ failures. It has killed more than 50% of the affected patients and a huge no. of birds infected by the virus has been slaughtered in order to contain its spread. Birds can easily infect healthy people with the virus. Mutation of the avian flu virus occurs within birds but mutation within humans has not happened so far. The latter has the potential to cause person to person spread of the virus that may lead to a pandemic.

Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong and Indonesia have been affected by the avian flu at present. People who work on farms and the poultry industry and come in close contact with birds"