Avian influenza (H5N1) is a type of influenza virus that infects birds and can be transmitted from them to humans. The transmission of the disease occurs mainly through the fecal-oral route.
History reference
Avian influenza was first described in Italy in 1880. At the beginning of the 21st century, the disease spread through migratory birds from Southeast Asia to other countries such as Austria, Germany, Sweden, Czechoslovakia and Romania, Asia, South and North America. , Africa. Avian influenza in Russia was discovered in 2005; it was introduced by wild migratory and waterfowl. Outbreaks of the disease did not pass by Novosibirsk, Omsk, Tyumen, Kurgan, Chelyabinsk regions and Altai Territory. The following were affected by the Kalmykia virus, Tula Oblast, Turkey and Romania.
The first bird flu virus in humans was recorded in 1997 in Hong Kong.
What is the danger of the disease
This type of flu is extremely dangerous for humans, microorganisms are very contagious and cause serious damage to the lungs, the virus can affect the liver, kidneys, and brain. In addition, it is insensitive to interferon drugs, Remantadine and has a tendency to mutations, which makes it even more dangerous. Mortality from the disease is quite high and amounts to 50-80%.
How is bird flu different from regular flu?
Symptoms in humans at first resemble those of ordinary flu. There is a runny nose, cough, body temperature is increased, a person becomes weak and lethargic. But the consequences of the disease are very serious, most cases are fatal.
Therefore, if at least one bird is sick on the farm, they destroy the entire population in order to avoid serious consequences.
Transmission ways
The source of infection is wild waterfowl. They themselves do not get sick. Being in bodies of water with stagnant water, birds with feces leave there a virus that infects waterfowl poultry through the water, and then the rest that are on the farm.
The virus is transmitted to humans by airborne droplets. When coughing in poultry, droplets of mucus or saliva are released. Inhaling them, a person is infected. It is possible to transmit the virus by contact, through touching objects, which left the discharge of a diseased bird.
The virus is able to survive for many years at temperatures below minus 70 ° C, which means it can be stored in frozen meat. Heat- treated meat is safe, the virus dies at +70 ° C, in addition, it does not withstand repeated repeated freezing (more than 5 times).
High risk of catching the virus from people working in poultry farms, from rural residents raising poultry. Also at risk are children, pregnant women and the elderly.
Key features
In birds, the disease can occur in two different forms. The first option has no serious consequences. A bird that is sick ceases to rush, it has a cough, feathers become tousled. The second option, in which there is a defeat of the respiratory system, digestion, is fatal.
How does bird flu appear in humans? Symptoms in people at the initial stage are similar to signs of a common cold or flu, but they quickly turn into pneumonia. Often the disease is fatal.
The incubation period is from one to seven days. The disease has an acute onset - with fever, pain in the muscles and joints. The temperature (about 38 ° C) lasts 10-12 days, in severe cases, persists until death.
Laryngitis, rhinitis, bronchitis appear on 2-3 days, there is severe sore throat. Along with such symptoms, viral pneumonia develops with a disease such as bird flu.
Symptoms in humans can be not only intoxication and catarrhal. The gastrointestinal tract is very often affected, which is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Bleeding from the nose or gums may be observed. In a person who has the bird flu disease, his health worsens very quickly.
Diagnostics
Professional help from doctors is needed at the slightest suspicion of bird flu. Symptoms in people that occur after contact with a sick bird or person are a reason for immediate medical attention. The therapist will conduct an examination and questioning of the patient, as well as prescribe additional studies. When listening to the lungs, if pneumonia begins to develop, hard breathing is determined, there are wet rales. An X-ray examination reveals a rapidly spreading infiltration.
In a general blood test for such a disease, a decrease in the number of leukocytes, lymphocytes and platelets is observed. For an accurate diagnosis, in addition to a blood test, it is necessary to pass a smear from the nose.
In a sick person, the liver may be enlarged, the development of renal failure is possible.
How to treat?
Treatment of bird flu occurs in the infectious disease ward of the hospital, where antiviral drugs will be prescribed to the person , then symptomatic therapy is performed. The most commonly used antiviral agent is Tamiflu, which was effectively used during the 2008 and 2009 epidemics.
A less weak but effective drug for the treatment of bird flu is Arbidol, which is prescribed in an increased dosage, which provides the maximum antiviral effect. Drugs containing paracetamol (Ibuprofen, Nise, Efferalgan) help to cope with fever and fever. Drugs that contain interferon, necessary in order to increase the patient 's immunity .
Equally important is the complete isolation of the patient, which prevents the infection of surrounding people. The sick person must have individual personal hygiene products, bedding, clothes, dishes, etc. In the acute period of the disease, it is often necessary to rinse the upper respiratory tract to get rid of the accumulated mucus. In addition, the patient must adhere to a strict diet, excluding or limiting fried, spicy and acidic foods.
Prevention
In order to avoid infection, you must:
- Exclude contact with wild birds.
- Children should be prohibited from hand feeding.
- At the slightest sign of illness in poultry, they must be destroyed by reporting the incident to the veterinary clinic.
- Finding a dead poultry, you must immediately bury it, wearing a thick mask, protective clothing and gloves.
- If you have poultry, do not forget to wash your hands regularly.
- It is necessary to take a course of preventive procedures in a medical institution, traveling to the territory where bird flu was detected. Prevention includes vaccination and antiviral medication.
- Although infections after eating chicken have not been officially reported, care must be taken when preparing dishes from poultry and eggs. Thorough heat treatment helps destroy the virus.
If you find at least the slightest sign of bird flu, contact a medical facility as soon as possible . Timely and qualified medical care will preserve health, and in severe cases, even life.