An window on Bird Flu

What is Bird Flu It is an influenza like fever affecting birds with potential to affect humans and animals like cats and pigs This disease is different from SARS and more readily spread although their symptoms are similar It is caused by influenza virus 15 different strains of this virus can cause the disease The present outbreak is by H5N1 strain

Organisms responsible for Bird Flu The current epidemic is caused by H5N1 strain There is evidence of man to man spread of this virus The ‘fear’ is that if human and bird flu affect a single individual it may mutate (change itself) to produce a new strain highly infective to humans In last such change in 1918-19 Spanish bird flu pandemic killed 50 million people world wide

How the disease spreads ? Till now bird flu spreads through domestic foul and wild migratory birds. Spread to humans is through contact with birds and their droppings. Human to human transmission causes milder disease. If the virus mutates and combines with human influenza virus it can readily spread from person to person.

Disease trajectory 1918-1919- Spain 1997- Hong Kong 2003- Korea 2004- Vietnam 2005- Turkey, France 2006- Nadurbar Mumbai india

What are the signs and symptoms of bird flu ? In humans (it is by eating infected bird meat or close association with birds) Varied range of symptoms like fever sore throat , cough, muscle aches, pneumonia, difficulty in breathing . Symptoms appear within 5 days of exposure Mostly symptoms are same as human flu. A life threatening complication adult respiratory distress .syndrome (ARDS) may result in some cases. In Birds They are irritable , wild and later lethargic They die in hordes within short span of time Birds who survive remain infective for 10 days with potential to spread to others (birds and animals like cats ,pigs and humans)

How to diagnose bird flu Clinical symptoms in the reported areas of infection , it should be followed by lab tests The lab tests EIA- enzyme immuno assay Immunofluoresence DFA antibody stain RT-PCR reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test. Rapid influenza tests meant for tourists and suspects

How to treat a case First contact a physician It is by antiviral drugs Neuramidase inhibitors . Oseltamivir (Fluvir) Zenamivir (Relenza) Oseltamivir is a oral form and used as tablest. Zenamivir is an inhalational powder Older drugs for flu like amantidine and rimantidine are not effective against bird flu Drugs have to be started within 36 hours of onset of flu symptoms

Are Drugs available in India? Yes Antiflu by CIPLA Fluvir by GenX Relenza by Gen X Tamiflu imported drug

How to prevent Bird Flu? WHO recommends rapid elimination of disease among birds and animals by killing exposed birds. Protective N 95 masks reduce possibility of transmission of disease. 3DGs(Double gloves, Double gowns and Goggles) and PPEs (personal protective equipments) are to be used by persons who come in contact with birds and health care workers.

Is there a vaccine available ? Vaccine uncertain whether it will be available in all regions during a problem Bird Vaccine is available Human vaccine is waiting to be developed