Bird flu consequences on humans - By: Groshan Fabiola

Avian flu is a caused by the influenza A virus. This virus develops in wild birds which are not affected by it. Wild birds are spreading the virus to other birds but most affected are the domestic ones.

It is known that since 2003 the most severe form of avian influenza called H5N1 has affected different types of domestic birds in several countries. This infection that might transmit to the humans is very contagious and dangerous in the same time. Caught by a human, the virus may lead to severe respiratory problems and even death. As an example we need to say that until December 2006, 258 people have caught the infection. More than half of these people have died. Specialists do not believe that the virus is able to easily pass from a person to another. Even so specialists are concerned about the possibility that the virus to develop this ability or that it might mix with other human viruses to create a new one.

It is also known the high rate of mortality in birds that have this virus. Domestic birds are the only birds that may suffer because of bird flu. Just like wild birds they can spread the virus but unlike them they are the only ones that have the symptoms, being well known that wild birds are not affected by avian influenza or bird flu.

Being contagious the virus spreads quickly. Recent studies relieve that the virus can be transmitted to cats and mice too through ingestion or inhalation.

All birds may catch the virus and develop bird flu. Migratory birds are the main cause for the rapid spreading of the virus in different areas on the globe. These birds are resistant to the infection, not like domestic birds which are more vulnerable.

Specialists classified the influenza A virus into many different subtypes. We know 16 subtypes of HA – hemagglutinin and 9 subtypes of NA – neuraminidase. Every possible combination leads to a subtype of influenza A virus. The subtype with the greatest concern for humans is the subtype H5, especially subtype H5N1. Subtypes like H7 and H9 also cause health problems for humans but for poultry the effects are not as severe as in H5N1.

Human infection with avian influenza viruses causes in most of the cases problems such as conjunctivitis and flu-like symptoms. Severe infections can lead to pneumonia, acute respiratory problems and other complications that may lead to death.

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