What You Really Need to Know About Bird Flu and Vaccinations

Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a contagious disease of birds that can pass to humans. Veterinary scientists first learned of the virus in the early 1900's but only lately has the world felt a strong impact of the dangerous disease. From Turkey to Romania the H5N1 strain of the virus has caused damage and despair.

A growing number of countries, particularly in southeast Asia, have reported outbreaks of the virus after discovering unusual deaths of chickens, ducks and even in pigs. The virus spreads rapidly throughout flocks or farms, and can be transmitted to humans as well. There are 15 different strains of the bird flu but it is the H5N1 strain that is currently a serious threat to humanity.

Those who work with chickens seem to be the most at risk since the discovery of infected birds usually comes after the workers have already been exposed. As near as can be determined the virus is inhaled, by humans, through germs in dust from droppings that have dried. Although the disease cannot be passed from human to human, many people can be infected by one bird. And, experts speculate that as the virus develops it may be possible to pass from person to person.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, sore throat and coughing. It usually takes three to five days to develop symptoms after being exposed. Over 50% of the people who become infected with the disease die from it. In birds, swelling of the eyes or ear lobes may be evident at death.

Although experts recommend that entire farms be eliminated upon learning of even one case among them, there is no indication that eating poultry can infect consumers. To be infected a person must live or work in close proximity to an infected bird. As far as is known, there are no birds that are immune to the virus. In an attempt to control the spread of the disease many countries have now banned importing chickens or feathers from various other countries.