Avian influenza, sometimes known as bird flu, is a viral infection that transmits from bird to bird. It is caused by a virus. The H5N1 strain of avian flu is the most common. However, despite the fact that bird flu is largely a threat to birds and does not transmit quickly among people, there was a big outbreak of bird flu among humans in 2014. Human-to-human transmission has been seen in a few sporadic cases, such as the case of a mother who got the virus while caring for her sick newborn child.

Bird flu viruses are naturally spread by migratory aquatic birds, most often wild ducks, during the spring and fall migration seasons. According to specialists, the disease might spread from wild birds to domesticated chickens.

Individuals may exhibit a variety of bird flu symptoms. The sickness may begin with flu-like symptoms such as fever, coughing, sore throat, and muscular pain. However, it may deteriorate. Nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and vomiting are all symptoms of gut issues. Shortness of breath, severe respiratory distress or failure, pneumonia, and other respiratory disorders are all examples of breathing issues. Changes in the brain or nervous system: You may notice changes in your behavior, thinking, or even organ function. Seizures may occur in severe situations. If you have any of the symptoms listed, Find doctor immediately to get treatment started before it is too late.

Avian influenza A is classified into two subtypes: highly pathogenic and low pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Highly pathogenic bacteria infect hens more severely and are more likely to kill them. Low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) causes less serious disease in chickens and is less likely to cause death. Both strains are very contagious in bird flocks and may cause severe sickness in humans. This is critical because birds infected with LPAI viruses may exhibit little or no illness symptoms as the virus spreads to other animals and people.

When viruses change through time, they frequently result in the emergence of various subtypes, which are known as strains. When bird flu infects people, which is very rare, the subtypes H5, H7, and H9 are the most often identified viruses. H10N8, H10N7, and H6N8 strains have been discovered in humans on a less regular basis, according to researchers.

There is no vaccine for bird flu. The flu medications oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab), or zanamivir (Relenza) may aid in the treatment of bird flu in humans, however further research is necessary. These medications must be administered promptly at the onset of symptoms.

What can be done to prevent yourself and your loved ones from bird flu?

If you are visiting a foreign nation that has recently seen an epidemic, you should take the following precautions:

• Hands should be washed often with warm water and soap, particularly before and after handling raw poultry.
• Utilize distinct tools for raw and cooked meat
• Ascertain that the meat is cooked to a piping hot temperature.
• Keep a safe distance from live birds and fowl

What to avoid:

• Avoid coming into contact with bird droppings, ill or dead birds.
• Avoid live animal marketplaces and poultry farms.
• Consume no raw or undercooked fowl or duck.
• Do not consume raw eggs

It’s advisable to take covid 19 vaccine.