1. Avian Flu
Update
Avian Flu Update
February 2006
GUC-SPSA©
Symptoms of Avian Flu
What is Avian Flu?
• Fever
• Sore throat
Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian influenza viruses.
These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds world- • Muscle aches
wide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get • Headache
sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious
• Lethargy
among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including
chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. • Eye infections
• Breathing problems
Infection with avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry causes
two main forms of disease that are distinguished by low and high • Chest pains
extremes of virulence. The low pathogenic form may go unde-
tected and usually causes only mild symptoms (such as ruffled
feathers and a drop in egg production). However, the highly If you develop symptoms
pathogenic form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry.
of flu talk to your doctor
This form may cause disease that affects multiple internal organs
and has a mortality rate that can reach 90-100%, often within 48
hours.
There are some remedies worse than the disease... Only those who work or live in
close proximity to birds are at
risk.
Those working with ducks and
poultry should wash their
hands after contact with the
birds.
Children are at particular risk
How does avian influenza spread among birds? from bird flu, and should be
kept away from poultry and
Infected birds shed influenza birds may become infected have been contaminated with ducks
virus in their saliva, nasal se- with avian influenza virus the virus.
Those who are particularly at
cretions, and feces. Suscepti- through direct contact with
ble birds become infected infected waterfowl or other risk from flu and its complica-
when they have contact with infected poultry or through tions, such as the elderly and
contaminated excretions or contact with surfaces (such as those with respiratory or heart
with surfaces that are con- dirt or cages) or materials disease, should consider
taminated with excretions or (such as water or feed) that vaccination each year
Go To the next page..
secretions. Domesticated

2. Can people get bird flu directly from infected birds?
Yes, although it is a rare occurrence, peo- flu cases. Since 2003, there have been
ple have become infected with the Asian more than 100 cases of human infections
bird flu and other bird flu viruses directly in Asia due to infection with the Asian bird
from birds. Most human infections have flu virus. There has been very limited
occurred after people had extensive ex- spread of infection from person to person,
posure to infected chickens, ducks, tur- but a few cases have occurred among
keys or their environment. Generally in- healthcare providers and family mem-
fections with bird flu have resulted only in bers.
a mild eye inflammation (conjunctivitis).
However, many people in Asia who were
infected with the current Asian bird flu
strain developed typical influenza symp-
toms of fever, cough, muscle aches, and
headache, and the illnesses were fatal in
a high proportion of reported Asian bird
How do people become infected with avian influenza viruses?
Most cases of avian influenza infection in have direct or close contact with infected
humans have resulted from direct or birds or with surfaces that have been
close contact with infected poultry (e.g., contaminated with secretions and excre-
domesticated chicken, ducks, and tur- tions from infected birds.
keys) or surfaces contaminated with se-
cretions and excretions from infected
birds. The spread of avian influenza vi-
ruses from an ill person to another person
has been reported very rarely, and trans- Happiness lies, first of all, in health...
mission has not been observed to con-
tinue beyond one person. During an out-
break of avian influenza among poultry,
there is a possible risk to people who
What are the implications of avian influenza to human health?
Two main risks for human health from spreads easily from per-
avian influenza are: son to person.
1) The risk of direct infection when the
virus passes from the infected bird to
humans, sometimes resulting in severe
disease.
2) The risk that the virus - if given enough
opportunities - will change into a form
that is highly infectious for humans and
Avian Flu Update PUBLIC HEALTH @ GUC-SPSA©

3. How is avian influenza in humans treated?
Studies done in laboratories suggest that But antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu which
the prescription medicines approved for are already available and being stock- N.B
human influenza viruses should work in piled by countries such as the UK, may
treating avian influenza infection in hu- help limit symptoms and reduce the
Influenza vaccine for the 2005-06 season
mans. However, influenza viruses can chances the disease will spread.
does not provide protection against avian
become resistant to these drugs, so these Concerns have been prompted by news influenza.
medications may not always work. Addi- that patients in Vietnam have become
tional studies are needed to determine partially resistant to the Tamiflu, the drug
the effectiveness of these medicines. that doctors plan to use to tackle a hu-
There is not yet a definitive vaccine, but man bird flu outbreak.
prototypes which offer protection against
the H5N1 strain are being produced. Scientists say it may be helpful to have
stocks of other drugs from the same fam-
ily such as Relenza (Zanamivir).
Is there a risk for becoming infected with avian
influenza by eating poultry & eggs?
There is no evidence that properly FDA discourages the consumption of Egg mixtures made with an egg-milk base
cooked poultry or eggs can be a source eggs that have not been adequately cooked to an internal temperature of 160
of infection for avian influenza viruses. cooked. FDA advises consumers to avoid degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius)
Experts say avian flu is not a food-borne eating or tasting foods that may contain also are safe.
virus, so eating chicken is safe. raw or lightly-cooked eggs. Commercial
The only people thought to be at risk are mayonnaise, dressings, and sauces that
those involved in the slaughter and contain pasteurized eggs are safe to eat.
preparation of meat that may be infected.
However, the WHO recommends, to be
absolutely safe all meat should be He who has health has hope, and he who has
cooked to a temperature of at least 70C.
Eggs should also be thoroughly cooked. hope has everything...
How can I protect myself from getting the bird
flu from food?
• Wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw poultry and eggs to re-
move the virus.
• Wash countertops, knives, cutting boards, and other utensils with hot soapy water
to prevent cross-contamination from contaminated poultry and eggs to other
foods.
Avian Flu Update PUBLIC HEALTH @ GUC-SPSA©

4. The Most Important Precaution to Protect
Yourself Against Any Disease
ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS
References and further information:
www.usda.gov/birdflu
www.fda.gov
www.pandemicflu.gov
www.who.int/en
www.cdc.gov
www.nature.com
www.bbc.co.uk/health
www.cnn.com/health
Healthy People In Healthy Communities…
The Public Health Department @ GUC-SPSA
wishes all the best of health for GUCians,
Egyptians & all people all over the world…
For any comments or feedback send in at
GUCSPSA@Gmail.com