Avian influenza is caused by strains of influenza A that normally infect birds but can infect humans. It is spread through close contact with infected live or dead birds. While most cases are mild, it can in rare cases cause severe illness like pneumonia. Treatment involves antiviral drugs within 48 hours of symptoms appearing. Public health recommendations include avoiding contact with sick or dead wild birds and domestic poultry.

2. What is bird flu?
• Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious
type of influenza A that spreads
among birds. In rare cases, it can
affect humans.
• also called avian flu, is a strain
of influenza (flu) that infects mostly
wild water birds but can infect
domestic birds (poultry) and other
animals. These strains belong to
influenza A type viruses.

3. •H5N1 (since 1997)
•H7N9 (since 2013)
•H5N6 (since 2014)
•H5N8 (since 2016)
There are lots of different strains of bird flu virus. Most of
them don't infect humans. But there are most common 4 strains
that may affect humans are:
Who does bird flu affect?
Affected people include those who have generally had contact with live
or dead infected birds. These can include domestic poultry (chickens,
turkeys), waterfowl (ducks, geese) and birds of prey (falcons) that have
been in contact with infected waterfowl in the wild. Infected birds shed
the virus in their saliva, feces (poop) and mucus. In very rare cases,
these people infected by contact with infected birds may have infected
members of their families and other close contacts.

4. • Markets where live birds are sold can also be a source of
bird flu. Avoid visiting these markets if you're travelling
to countries that have had an outbreak of bird flu.
How bird flu spreads to humans
Bird flu is spread by close contact with an infected bird (dead or alive).
This includes:
•touching infected birds
•touching droppings or bedding
•killing or preparing infected poultry for cooking

5. Avian influenza is caused by strains of
influenza A that normally infect only wild birds
and domestic poultry. Infections due to some
of these strains have been detected in
humans. Human-to-human transmission is
limited, most cases are acquired from animals,
typically poultry.

6. The main symptoms of bird flu can appear very quickly and include:
• a very high temperature
or feeling hot or shivery
• aching muscles
• headache
• a cough or shortness of
breath
• diarrhea
• sickness
• stomach pain
• chest pain
• bleeding from the nose and gums
• conjunctivitis

7.  It usually takes 3 to 5 days for the first symptoms to appear after you've been
infected.
 Within days of symptoms appearing, it's possible to develop more severe complications
such as pneumonia and acute respiratory destress syndrome.
 Getting treatment quickly, using antiviral medicine, may prevent complications and
reduce the risk of developing severe illness.

8. What tests will be done to diagnose bird flu?
Bird flu can’t be diagnosed by symptoms alone. Your provider may take a swab
from your nose or throat. These specimens need to have specialized testing
done and you may be referred to a public health department. Best results
happen when the testing happens early, as symptoms develop.
The following test may also be performed:
• White blood cell differential
• Nasopharyngeal culture
• Chest X-ray

9. How is bird flu treated?
Bird flu is treated with antiviral medications such as:
•Oseltamivir.
•Peramivir.
•Zanamivir.
•However the medication must be given within 48 hours after the
first symptoms appear.
•If severe infection is develop the patient may be placed on a
ventilator.
•The patient has to be placed in isolation to avoid spreading the
virus to other patient.

10. To further reduce the risk of contracting
bird flu, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) recommends that
people.
•Avoid contact with wild birds.
•Stay away from domestic birds that are sick or dead.
•Avoid any contact with bird feces, whether wild or
domestic.
•Report dead wild birds to state agencies and never handle
them with bare hands.
•If traveling, avoid farms and poultry markets in countries
affected by bird flu.

11. •Destroying birds carrying a suspected of the virus.
•Disinfecting farm, equipment ,clothing and boots.
•Limit restricting or banning the shipment of live birds
within and between countries that have had bird flu.