Avian influenza is a sickness of birds that is found mainly in wild waterfowl such as ducks and geese. At times, it is possible for this disease to migrate from these wild birds to domestic poultry. There are a large number of types of bird flu. At the moment, there is a type of bird flu called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza type H5N1 that has caused illness in a large number of birds, and some humans as well. Hunters of wild game need to take precautions against the avian flu.

If an individual is hunting for waterfowl, there are precautions they can take to keep themselves safe from exposure to the avian flu. For starters, they should only hunt animals that look safe. They should not take animals that are already dead or who appear to be ill.

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The World Health Organization is the United Nations specialized agency for health. It was established on April 7, 1948. The WHO’s objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined in the WHO’s Constitution as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The WHO is governed by 193 Member States through the World Health Assembly.

The WHO is coordinating the global response to human cases of H5N1 avian influenza and monitoring the corresponding threat of influenza pandemic.

The WHO has organized steps to try to stop the disease from spreading among birds. Millions of farmyard birds have been culled, while millions more have been vaccinated and confined indoors.

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One of the most important things you can do in helping to prevent your livestock from the avian flu, is to watch for the signs of the disease and to be on the look out for unexpected deaths among your birds. It is vital to have a clear idea of what the avian flu really is, how it operates, and how you can prevent it.

If you do discover signs and symptoms of the avian flu, report them immediately. Detection as soon as possible can make a great difference to your livestock.

Practice backyard bio-security diligently. For starters, try to limit the amount of traffic on your property. Always remember to disinfect shoes, clothes and hands to stop the possibility of spreading the disease. Once the flu is known in domestic poultry, it is very contagious. A bird infected with the flu excretes the virus in high concentration in their feces as well as in nasal and ocular discharges.

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The avian flu has infected many human beings, and has become a threat to many nations. Avian flu is usually spread from birds to human beings. However, it’s not commonly known how the bird flu is spread from birds to humans. The spreading of bird flu essentially begins with migratory birds. It is possible for migratory birds to introduce low pathogenic flu viruses to poultry flocks, which then mutate the virus into a highly pathogenic form. The virus can then be passed on to humans. It is also possible for the wild birds to spread the virus to humans directly.

The H5N1 virus is the most dangerous of the bird flu viruses. This virus has caused the largest number of cases of severe disease and death in humans, than any other form of avian influenza. The H5N1 virus has a severe effect on humans’ respiratory systems; there is usually an aggressive clinical course, with rapid deterioration and high fatality. The most common outcomes of the disease are viral pneumonia and multi organ failure. More than half of the humans infected with the H5N1 virus have died, and millions of infected birds have been slaughtered. Birds can easily spread the disease to healthy children and adults. Avian flu can mutate and be spread from birds to humans, but it is not able to mutate within humans and be spread human-to-human. If the disease mutates in humans, it can become even more infectious, and may cause a pandemic. 

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Bird flu is a hot topic. If you turn on the news or read the paper, chances are, you will come across at least one article or story about the bird flu. Currently, bird flu most affects areas where people live or work in very close proximity to poultry and birds. However, those in the United States that work closely with birds, should be aware of bird flu and the problems that arise from the disease. The key is to take a proactive approach to the spread of this very real and dangerous disease.

Some strains of bird flu can and has been known to cause death. As of now, there are no known cures or vaccines to protect people from this disease. The biggest way to prevent fatal cases of the bird flu is to stay informed and practice prevention. This means that if you come in close contact with any type of birds, you should always practice good hygiene and use whatever antimicrobial products are available to you.

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Vaccines are produced each year to prevent seasonal influenza. These vaccines are one of the most effective ways to minimize suffering and death from influenza. However, these vaccines do not protect against the avian flu. Currently there is no vaccine available to protect against the bird flu. Avian influenza, or bird flu, is an infectious disease of birds caused by type a strains of the influenza virus.

Currently there are two drugs commonly used to treat seasonal influenza. These drugs are oseltamivir (commercially known as Tamiflu) and zanamivir (commercially known as Relenza). These drugs are called neuraminidase inhibitors. The efficiency of these drugs depends, among other things, on their early administration (within 48 hours after symptoms begin).

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With the threat of a potential pandemic from the bird flu, scientists are working feverishly towards finding a vaccine to protect the general public.  However, the challenges of creating such a vaccine are much more difficult than your everyday flu shot.

First, it is important to understand how vaccines work.  Your body is under constant attack from bacteria, viruses, and other germs on a daily basis.  Every time a disease-causing organism enters your body, your immune system springs into action.  Special proteins, known as antibodies, are created to destroy the invader.  Once these have been created, should the same invader ever attack the body again, the defenses are already in place to prevent infection.  The body can quickly produce more antibodies as needed.

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The start of the bird flu is difficult to trace.  While many people consider it a recent occurrence, it may find its beginning laced back into history instead.

Several chickens died in Italy in 1878 as a result of what was termed as the “fowl plague”.  Studies later determined that it was one of the influenza viruses.  Recent studies of samples from victims of the 1918 Spanish flu lead scientists to believe that as well may have been a mutated form of bird flu that was able to be transmitted from one person to another.  It is still difficult to say whether these cases have any bearing on the current variety of bird flu that is plaguing Asia.

In more recent history, the firs confirmed outbreak was in 1997 in Hong Kong.  It is the first confirmed case where the virus was found to be transmitted directly from birds to people, and 18 people were hospitalized with 6 deaths.

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Like humans and other species, birds are susceptible to flu. There are 15 types of bird, or avian, flu. The most contagious strains, which are usually fatal in birds, are H5 and H7. There are nine different types of H5. The nine all take different forms - some are highly pathogenic, while some are pretty harmless.

The type currently causing concern is the deadly strain H5N1, which can prove fatal to humans. Migratory wildfowl, especially wild ducks, are natural carriers of the viruses, but are unlikely to actually develop an infection. The risk is that they pass it on to domestic birds, which are much more susceptible to the virus.

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There are several things you can do to help keep you and your family from contracting the Bird Flu.  Be sure and avoid close contact with those who are sick.  Also, stay at home when you are sick yourself and keep your family home as well.  Be sure to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and practice good hand washing practices.  Always avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, and remember to practice a healthy lifestyle. 

One of the ways you can practice good hygiene and encourage good health habits is to avoid close contact with people who are sick.  One way to ensure that you and your family stay healthy is to avoid places and situations where there are large crowds of people.  Shopping malls, concerts and movie theaters are examples of places where large groups of people come into close contact with one another.  If a bird flu outbreak occurs, the best place for you and your family is at home.  Be sure to stay home if you are sick, and keep children home for the same reason.  If you or a family member has been ill, or has a compromised immune system, it would be especially important to stay away from other people who may be infected. 

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