Bird Flu is spreading rapidly in America. What Is Bird Flu? How It Spreads, And Its Preventive Measures
H5 Bird Flu is spreading at an unprecedented rate among wild birds all over the world. This flu is causing problems in poultry and U.S. dairy cows, and even in some cases, several dairy workers in the US are also infected with this flu. However, the risk to the general public is low; the current situation is under the monitoring of the CDC, which is also working with the states to monitor people with animal exposures. We are here with details about what bird flu is, how it spreads, and its preventive measures.
What is Bird Flu and How Does It Spread?
Bird Flu, or Avian Influenza, is a contagious virus that affects birds and is caused by Influenza A viruses. Previously, it was called ‘Fowl Plague’. Influenza A viruses are naturally found in wild aquatic birds across the world. Not only birds, but this virus can also affect various other animals, which include chickens, turkeys, pigs, ducks,horses,cows,seals and dogs. Humans can also catch the bird influenza, which can lead to mild flu-like symptoms, eye irritation, severe respiratory infections, or even death. All serious outbreaks of bird flu are caused by H5 and H7 subtypes of Influenza A viruses. Viruses that are highly pathogenic can spread fast and can kill an entire poultry flock within 48 hours.
Influenza A virus is found in aquatic birds and is spread through them. Birds that are infected release their bird flu virus in their mucus, saliva, and faeces. Bird flu mainly spreads through contact with these secretions, especially through contaminated feed and surface water.
Prevention Measures
To prevent bird flu, the best measure you can take is to stay away from the places of exposure. To protect poultry farms from bird flu, farmers should take measures of biosecurity, which means keeping birds safe from harmful things like bacteria and viruses. In big poultry farms, disinfectants are used to keep the birds safe. Birds are kept indoors.
Vaccination is another preventive measure to safeguard yourself from bird flu, but in many countries vaccination is restricted.
Education should be provided to the people regarding bird flu. People should not come into contact with dead or sick animals, including wild birds.
Hygiene is a must. People should wash their hands thoroughly with soap or can use sanitizers also. You must keep your environment clean by using disinfectants.
Is bird flu a dangerous sign for humans?
Bird flu is very dangerous for humans. If a human catches bird flu, people can suffer from diseases and infections like eye irritation, severe respiratory disease, mild to severe flu-like symptoms, or in some cases, even death. Bird flu can easily spread from person to person. As Bird Flu poses a threat to poultry globally, it also poses a threat to people who work in poultry farms, including farm workers, poultry farmers, sellers,sellers and butchers of chicken.
Bird flu is spreading rapidly among animals like cows in America.
The United States is witnessing a severe outbreak of avian flu among the cows. Minnesota reported its first infected cow last week. Since late March in 11 states, over 80 herds have been affected. Around three poultry farm workers have tested positive for the bird flu. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health stated that in the affected herd, more than 40 cows are having fever. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories have stated that the animals have tested positive. The other states in which herds are being affected by bird flu include Texas, South Dakota, Ohio, New Mexico, Iowa, North Carolina, Michigan, and Colorado. Dairy cows who were affected by the avian flu were either slaughtered by the farmers or have died, reported by Reuters. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, most cows recover. As per the World Health Organisation A 59-year-old man with serious health conditions died in Mexico because of problems due to contracting beard flu.
