GodWith

Dear All

We are sharing some information on bird flu. There are no reasons for panic, more information and awareness can prevent us in getting in contact with the virus.

 BIRD FLU (avian influenza)

-     It is a viral infection caused by an influenza virus residing in birds which has entered the humans in recent years.

-     Signs and symptoms are no different from those of conventional influenza i.e.

                                                                            Cough

                                                                              Fever

                                                                              Sore Throat

                                                                              Muscle aches

-     Migratory birds carry the viruses across nations. They mix with domesticated chickens, turkeys and geese causing epidemics that kill large numbers of birds in your neighborhood farms.

-     Open – air markets, where eggs and birds are often sold in crowded and unsanitary conditions are hotbeds of infection.

-     The entry of virus into humans is by contact with sick birds or with surfaces contaminated by their feathers, saliva or droppings.

-     Most peoples with bird flu have signs and symptoms of conventional influenza.

-     Only some develop life- threatening complications such as viral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which causes the air sacs in your lungs to fill with fluid rather than with air, leading to severe breathing difficulties.

-     Treatment option is the flu drugs Tami flu and Relenza.

-     Recommendations for travelers to Southeast Asia

a. Avoid domesticated birds. If possible, avoid rural areas and small farms.

b. Avoid open air markets

c.  Wash your hands often. When water in scarce, you may use alcohol – based hand sanitizers, which don’t require water.

d. Watch your kids who are likely to put their hands in their mouths and who may not wash thoroughly.

e. Avoid raw eggs. Avoid mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce, and ice cream and may other foods containing raw of undercooked eggs.

f.  Get a flu shot – it won’t protect you from bird flu, but it may help reduce the risk of simultaneous infection with bird and human flu virus.

-     Remember, no human cases of bird flu have been linked to eating poultry. But anyway, wash well and cook thoroughly (At more than 100⁰c) 

Thanks

Team Connexions