Popular bird flu topics >
Bird flu virus
Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu)
viruses. These bird flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds
worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get
sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds
and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys,
very sick and kill them.
There are many different subtypes of type A influenza viruses. These subtypes differ because of changes in certain proteins on the surface of the influenza A virus (hemagglutinin [HA] and neuraminidase [NA] proteins). There are 16 known HA subtypes and 9 known NA subtypes of influenza A viruses. Many different combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible. Each combination represents a different subtype. All known subtypes of influenza A viruses can be found in birds.
Usually, "bird flu virus" or “avian influenza virus” refers
to influenza A viruses found chiefly in birds, but infections with these
viruses can occur in humans. The risk from avian influenza is generally
low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans.
However, confirmed cases of human infection from several subtypes of avian
influenza infection have been reported since 1997. Most cases of avian influenza
infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g.,
domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with
secretion/excretions from infected birds. The spread of bird flu viruses
from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and has been
limited, inefficient and unsustained.
“Human influenza virus” usually refers to those subtypes that spread widely among humans. There are only three known A subtypes of influenza viruses (H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2) currently circulating among humans. It is likely that some genetic parts of current human influenza A viruses came from birds originally. Influenza A viruses are constantly changing, and they might adapt over time to infect and spread among humans.
During an outbreak of bird flu among poultry, there is a possible risk
to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been
contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds. It is only
if the birf flu virus mutates to become contagious amongst humans that it
could spread easily between the populations of the world, and that is the
potential global bird flu pandemic that
is worrying so many health agencies around the world.
|
bird flu virus - Google News
|
|
Indonesia slaughters birds, awaits flu tests - AFP
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:15:46 GMT
|
|
Farmer charged in bird flu case - BBC News
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:42:45 GMT
|
GPs might take flight in bird flu crisis - The Australian
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:03:45 GMT
GPs might take flight in bird flu crisisThe Australian, Australia - 5 hours agoA SIGNIFICANT minority of GPs might stay at home and decline to treat patients in the event of a bird flu pandemic, for fear that they or their families ... |
|
|
Bird flu claims one in Indonesia - Independent Online
Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:59:47 GMT
|
|
Bird Flu: Govt Disinfects Farms - This Day
Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:46:48 GMT
|
Listening needed to communicate bird flu risks - Jakarta Post
Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:19:06 GMT
Listening needed to communicate bird flu risksJakarta Post, Indonesia - Aug 5, 2008Rather than being satisfied with the various kinds of one-size-fits-all "Beat The Bird Flu" campaigns, journalists need to lend their ears more to the ... |
|
No compensation yet for Bird Flu victims - The Statesman
Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:27:46 GMT
No compensation yet for Bird Flu victimsThe Statesman, India - Aug 5, 2008... compensation for the retail traders who could not do business for three months after detection of Bird Flu virus at a state poultry farm in March 2008. ... |
|
|
Lonza wins EPA approval to test bird flu-fighting formula - Portsmouth Herald News
Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:19:03 GMT
|
Cat Infected With Bird Flu Virus - 코리아타임즈
Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:01:45 GMT
Cat Infected With Bird Flu Virus코리아타임즈, South Korea - Jul 28, 2008A cat found dead in April had been infected with the virulent strain of the bird flu influenza, the government confirmed Monday. ... |
|
|
Bird flu hits one more Vietnamese province - Xinhua
Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:14:22 GMT
|
