Why bird flu virus has so many strains and what it means for humans?

This is because firstly, it is an RNA virus with a segmented genome, i.e. it has eight separate strands, which makes its copying prone to errors or mutations. This ‘antigenic drift’ results in slight but continuous mutations in the surface proteins, which is the reason why flu vaccines have to be updated regularly.

What causes the avian influenza virus to spread from animal to human?

Avian influenza A viruses may be transmitted from animals to humans in two main ways: Directly from birds or from avian influenza A virus-contaminated environments to people. Through an intermediate host, such as a pig.

What management practices must be conducted to prevent or control the bird flu?

Avoid visiting poultry farms, bird markets and other places where live poultry are raised, kept, or sold. Avoid preparing or eating raw or undercooked poultry products. Practice hygiene and cleanliness. Visit a doctor if you become sick during or after travel.

What are the major traits that one is infected with the bird flu virus?

Avian (bird) flu symptoms include sore throat, cough, fever, and nausea. Bird flu (avian flu or avian influenza) refers to strains of influenza that primarily affect wild and domesticated birds but can occasionally and sporadically infect humans.

What is the difference between H1N1 and H5N1?

The H5N1 virus (red RNAs) is not transmissible among guinea pigs, while the H1N1 virus (green RNAs) has highly efficient transmission. Exchange of the H5N1 RNA coding for PA or NS from H1N1 produces a highly transmissible virus. Exchange of the H5N1 RNA coding for NA or M produces a less efficiently transmitted virus.

Where did H5N1 come from?

Influenza A/H5N1 was first isolated from a goose in China in 1996. Human infections were first reported in 1997 in Hong Kong.

How is H5N8 transmitted?

The disease is transmitted via contact with an infected bird’s feces, or secretions from its nose, mouth or eyes. Open-air markets, where eggs and birds are sold in crowded and unsanitary conditions, are hotbeds of infection and can spread the disease into the wider community.

How do you prevent H5N1 virus?

Avoid close contact with infected or suspected birds and animals, specially their droppings, saliva and other secretions. Avoid consuming raw / uncooked / partially cooked poultry products such as chickens and eggs. Cooking (half an hour & 700C) kills the bird flu virus. It makes food safe.

How can you prevent birds from getting bird flu?

Top Tips for Bird Flu Prevention

1. Keep your birds indoors at high-risk times.
2. If they can’t go indoors, prevent access by wild birds to their food.
3. Cover your run.
4. Make sure coops and other housing are kept clean.
5. Limit visitors to your flock.
6. Disinfect visitors and vehicles.
7. Report any suspicions straight away.

Can eating chicken cause bird flu?

Contrary to what some people think that the bird flu virus, also known as Avian influenza, is spread to humans via consumption of cooked poultry products, health experts on Sunday stressed that it usually does not infect people as the virus is heat-labile (degraded and killed when subjected to heat).

Why is it called H5N1?

The name H5N1 refers to the subtypes of surface antigens present on the virus: hemagglutinin type 5 and neuraminidase type 1. Genotype Z of H5N1 is now the dominant genotype of H5N1. Genotype Z is endemic in birds in southeast Asia and represents a long term pandemic threat.

Is H5N1 a pandemic?

The global spread of H5N1 influenza in birds is considered a significant pandemic threat. While other H5N1 influenza strains are known, they are significantly different on a genetic level from a recent, highly pathogenic, emergent strain of H5N1, which was able to achieve hitherto unprecedented global spread in 2008.