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The avian influenza or H5N1 is a flu infection that affects birds. The infection is caused by a dangerous virus that can mutate and infect humans. |
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The avian influenza or H5N1 is a flu infection that affects birds. The infection is caused by a dangerous virus that can mutate and infect humans. Throughout history, the avian flu virus has mixed with pig flu viruses forming a new virus that could infect humans.
The first avian flu virus infection in humans occurred in 1997 in Hong Kong. The outbreak was connected to an avian flu epidemic that was taking place on the island and that mainly attacked chickens. In October 2005, a new avian flu outbreak affected poultry in Turkey and Romania.
People who work with poultry, such as farmers, and people who visit affected areas, are at greater risk of being infected with the bird flu. The most common ways of contracting the virus are by handling infected birds and eating raw or undercooked infected poultry meat.
The symptoms of avian flu infection in humans are: cough, sore throat, high fever, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, runny nose, headache, malaise and muscle aches. In case these symptoms appear, a health care provider should be consulted immediately.
Currently, there isn’t a vaccine against the avian flu. However, a vaccine is being tested and in case of infection patients can be treated with antiviral medication. In those cases in which the treatment starts within 48 hours after symptoms begin, the severity of the disease may decrease. |
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