Symptoms of H5N1 Bird Flu & How to Prevent it
Symptoms of H5N1 Bird Flu & How to Prevent it
There seems to be some wide spread panic about H5N1 Bird Flu among some people. According to FLU.gov this virus is highly contagious among birds and does not usually infect people. The only way humans can catch it is if they have been in contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. There are no known cases of humans catching it from humans.
There has never been any known reported cases in the United States. However, there were more than 500 reported cases of human infection in Asia, Africa, The Pacific, Europe and the Near East Indonesia, Vietnam, and Egypt since Nov. 2003. Symptoms of this type of Bird flu depend on which virus caused the infection.
Symptoms of H5N1 Bird Flu Virus Are:
How to Prevent H5N1 Bird Flu
"The U.S. government carefully controls domestic and imported food products, and in 2004 issued a ban on importation of poultry from countries affected by avian influenza viruses, including the H5N1 (Bird) flu strain. This ban still is in place. For more information, see USDA's Animal and Animal Product Import."
How to Prevent Contamination When Visiting Other Countries
If you plan to visit any of the countries that have had confirmed human infection with H5N1 (Bird) flu, visit Avian Flu & Travelers from CDC for advice on travel preparation.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves First Vaccine to Prevent Human Infection
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first vaccine to prevent human infection with one strain of the H5N1 (Bird) flu virus in April of 2007. The H5N1 (Bird) flu virus is not a pandemic virus (because it does not transmit efficiently from person to person). As a result, the H5N1 (Bird) flu vaccine is being held in stockpiles rather than made commercially available to the public. Should circumstances change, it will be distributed if needed. More information about H5N1 (Bird) flu vaccines.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is coordinating the global response to human cases of H5N1 (Bird) flu and monitoring the threat of an H5N1 (Bird) flu pandemic. Read More...
There has never been any known reported cases in the United States. However, there were more than 500 reported cases of human infection in Asia, Africa, The Pacific, Europe and the Near East Indonesia, Vietnam, and Egypt since Nov. 2003. Symptoms of this type of Bird flu depend on which virus caused the infection.
Symptoms of H5N1 Bird Flu Virus Are:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- Eye infections
- Pneumonia
- Severe respiratory diseases such as acute respiratory distress
- Other severe, life-threatening complications
How to Prevent H5N1 Bird Flu
- Do not come in close contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds.
- Handle poultry and eggs properly. If poultry and eggs are cooked properly the virus will be killed and is harmless.
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw poultry and eggs.
- Clean cutting boards and other utensils with soap and hot water to keep raw poultry from contaminating other foods.Use a food thermometer to make sure you cook poultry to a temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Consumers may wish to cook poultry to a higher temperature for personal preference.Cook eggs until whites and yolks are firm.
"The U.S. government carefully controls domestic and imported food products, and in 2004 issued a ban on importation of poultry from countries affected by avian influenza viruses, including the H5N1 (Bird) flu strain. This ban still is in place. For more information, see USDA's Animal and Animal Product Import."
How to Prevent Contamination When Visiting Other Countries
If you plan to visit any of the countries that have had confirmed human infection with H5N1 (Bird) flu, visit Avian Flu & Travelers from CDC for advice on travel preparation.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves First Vaccine to Prevent Human Infection
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first vaccine to prevent human infection with one strain of the H5N1 (Bird) flu virus in April of 2007. The H5N1 (Bird) flu virus is not a pandemic virus (because it does not transmit efficiently from person to person). As a result, the H5N1 (Bird) flu vaccine is being held in stockpiles rather than made commercially available to the public. Should circumstances change, it will be distributed if needed. More information about H5N1 (Bird) flu vaccines.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is coordinating the global response to human cases of H5N1 (Bird) flu and monitoring the threat of an H5N1 (Bird) flu pandemic. Read More...
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Contact us: [email protected]
References:
Yang, Y., Halloran, M., Sugimoto, J., & Longini, I. (2007). Detecting Human-to-Human Transmission of Avian Influenza A (H5N1). Emerging Infectious Diseases, 13(9), 1348-1353. doi:10.3201/eid1309.070111
Yang, Y., Halloran, M., Sugimoto, J., & Longini, I. (2007). Detecting Human-to-Human Transmission of Avian Influenza A (H5N1). Emerging Infectious Diseases, 13(9), 1348-1353. doi:10.3201/eid1309.070111