The Basic Facts about Bird Flu

By Anika Logan

The bird Flu, caused by the avian influenza A virus (avian stands for bird) was first noted in the early 1900’s in Italy and is now prevalent throughout the world. It is a dangerous form of influenza that occurs predominantly in a variety of birds. For example, swans often carry the pathogenic avian strain of H5N1, among other bird viruses. The bird Flu is highly contagious and in many cases can prove fatal. Besides H5N1 there are other strains of the bird Flu virus as well. These include H7N2, H7N3, H7N7 and H9N2.

Wild birds across the globe carry the avian influenza virus in their intestines but it does not generally make the carrier of it ill. Avian Flu has crossed over into the likes of domestic birds such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys. Once infected, the virus can make birds extremely sick very quickly and death can be the result.

How is the Avian Flu Spread?

Birds infected with the avian Flu spread it by way of their nasal secretions, saliva and waste. Other birds can become infected when they come into close proximity to contaminated secretions or excretions of sick birds and/or surfaces where other sick birds have been. Domesticated birds can easily pick up the Flu when they come into contact with other infected chickens, ducks and turkeys or infected waterfowl. Also, sharing food or water and/or walking through the same dirt or sawdust in a pen or cage can easily infect an otherwise healthy bird.

Low and High Pathogenic Forms of the Avian Virus

Infection among domesticated birds can take two forms- low and high pathogenic. The “low pathogenic” type is not always easy to spot and can show the mildest of symptoms, for example a decrease in the production of eggs and feathers that are unusually ruffled. The highly pathogenic type can affect a number of internal organs all at once and can spread rapidly through a flock of birds. The mortality rate is alarming- in a 48 hour period it can reach as high as 90 percent, and In some cases, 100 percent.

Not Common in Humans

Also known as H5N1, this type of Flu does not commonly affect human beings, however more than 200 confirmed cases have been reported since the year 1997. The majority of cases are believed to be caused by direct and/or close contact with infectious and contaminated poultry and surfaces that they occupy. People who work in poultry farms are encouraged to take extra special precautions to guard against acquiring the avian influenza virus. It is extremely rare for the transmission of the disease to go from person to person.

The World Health Organization keeps both extensive cumulative reports of human cases of the avian Flu as well as situation updates. More and more research needs to be done into the disease, as the total extent of its risk to people is not completely known. The health authorities monitor all new cases of the bird Flu very carefully with regards to humans and screening for person-to-person transmission is of utmost importance.

A Disease that Crosses the Species Barrier

Avian Flu is one of the few viruses that has crossed over from animals to people. The H5N1 has brought about the greatest number of cases of both serious disease and fatality in human beings. This Flu differs tremendously from the seasonal Flu that affects many people every year, usually during the winter months. While the seasonal human Flu causes a variety of stomach and respiratory symptoms, it is rarely deadly. The avian Flu virus on the other hand “follows an unusually aggressive clinical course, with rapid deterioration and high fatality.” Humans infected with avian Flu can show a variety of different symptoms. They can be the symptoms that are characteristic of the human Flu, such as a Fever, a Cough, cold chills, a sore throat, Vomiting and achy muscles or more serious symptoms such as eye infections, pneumonia, or major respiratory complications (such as acute respiratory distress). Symptoms can also be severe and life threatening. This is not a disease that can be taken lightly.

Antiviral Drugs to Prevent and Treat the Flu

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved four different drugs for both the prevention as well as the treatment of the bird Flu. These drugs are amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. All four of these approved drugs have been shown to work against the influenza A viruses. Unfortunately these drugs may not always be effective as some strains of the bird Flu can become resistant to them. In one analysis of the H5N1 virus where it was transmitted from poultry to humans, the drugs amantadine and rimantadine were rendered ineffective due to the resistance factor.

Human Cases Reported Around the World

A number of cases of the avian Flu showing up in humans have been reported since the first one was found in Hong Kong in 1997. In this case it was found in the Special Administrative Region and the strain was H5N1. Eighteen people got sick and six of them died as a result of the Flu. In 1999, the low pathogenic strain of the virus known as H9N2 affected two children in the Special Administrative Region of China and Hong Kong. The children in this case both fully recovered. In Virginia in the Shenandoah production area of the United States, one person was diagnosed with H7N2 and then once again, in 2003, the H5N1 strain showed up in China and Hong Kong’s Special Administrative Region making two family members sick. One recovered and the other died as a result of contracting the disease.

A number of farms reported cases of H7N7 in the Netherlands in 2003. Both pigs and humans contracted the Flu. In total 89 individuals were confirmed to have been afflicted by it. The low pathogenic H9N2 struck a child once again in 2003 in the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong and in November of the same year, a patient was diagnosed with H7N2 in New York City. Canada reported its first case in February 2004 when a strain of the highly pathogenic virus (H7N3) affected poultry workers. The highly pathogenic virus H5N1 struck in both Thailand and Vietnam in 2004 and in parts of Asia in 2004 and 2005.

Since January of 2004 the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a number of human cases of H5N1 in East Asia and the Pacific (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Thailand), Europe and Eurasia (Azerbaijan, Turkey), the Near East (Egypt), as well as Vietnam and Iraq. Research into the bird Flu is ongoing.

Herbs that Can Boost the Functioning of the Immune System

The immune system is our body’s greatest defense against infections, diseases and all types of illnesses. The stronger the immune system is, the healthier you will be. The good news is that there are ways to increase the effectiveness of the immune system. Herbs are one of the best ways to do it. Let’s take a look.

Garlic is one way to boost the immune system. Take it on a regular basis and it will help ward off many ailments. Garlic cleanses the blood, lowers Blood pressure, lowers blood cholesterol and is very therapeutic to the heart in general. Garlic is also an antioxidant.

Echinacea is an herb that increases the amount of a chemical known as properdin in the brain. This chemical supports the immune system in fighting a variety of Bacteria and viruses. Take echinacea alone or consider buying a combination of echinacea and Goldenseal root. Goldenseal root encourages the immune system to kick into full gear. It is excellent in fighting Parasites, healing ulcers in the mouth and increasing the flow of blood. Echinacea and Goldenseal can be taken for a two-week period but then must be stopped for another two weeks. This is very important as the body can develop Immunity to it and then it will be rendered ineffective. Echinacea and Goldenseal are most beneficial to the body during the active cold and Flu season.

To encourage healthy Bacteria in the intestines, take a supplement of lactobacillus Acidophilus every day. For women this has the added benefit of helping to prevent yeast infections by balancing the levels of good and bad Bacteria in the Vagina.

Astragalus is an herb from China that has very strong anti-viral properties and helps boost the fighting power of the white blood cells. Astragalus is often thought of as the Chinese version of America’s echinacea. Cayenne is another excellent choice for an herb. Cayenne is excellent for its ability to stimulate the circulatory system. In fact it positively affects everything to do with the blood. Cayenne also encourages the flow of both saliva as well as stomach secretions. Some individuals enjoy taking a combination of astragalus, cayenne and echinacea. Cayenne cannot only be purchased in pill or tablet form, but as pepper as well.

Ginger is well known to prevent motion sickness as well as morning sickness in pregnant women but it also has tremendous anti-inflammatory properties. Ginkgo biloba improves the immune system by strengthening the blood vessels and fighting bad Circulation. Other herbs that boost the immune system and keep you healthier include coenzyme Q-10 and cat’s claw.

Make sure to eat a diet rich in omega fatty acids which can be found in plentiful amounts in oily fish such as salmon. Salmon is also a food rich in antioxidants. Drinking lots of water (six to eight glasses a day preferably) will help encourage the immune system to do a bang up job and herbal Tea is very beneficial for the immune system as well. Tea/" title="Green Tea">Green Tea in particular will aid the immune system in keeping viruses and Bacteria from invading the body. Vitamin E is an immune system booster that is worth taking on a regular basis, and did you know that when you consistently don’t get enough Sleep the effectiveness of your immune system can be reduced by up to fifty percent? Yes, up to fifty percent so get plenty of shut eye each and every night to keep your immune system in top form.

For more information on bird Flu visit these websites:

Key Facts about Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm

Avian Influenza: Current Situation

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/current.htm