Bird flu, also called avian flu or H5N1, is an influenza A virus that affects birds. Bird flu does not usually infect humans, but instances of bird-to-human transmission have sparked concern in recent years.
History
A bird flu outbreak began in Asia in 2003, and more than 100 million birds were killed or died of the illness. Since then, more than 400 people have been infected in various countries, but no infections have been reported in the United States.
Bird Flu in Birds
Wild birds can carry avian flu without getting sick, but domesticated birds may become ill or die when exposed to the virus. Birds shed the flu through their saliva, nasal secretions and feces.
Bird Flu in Humans
The virus does not spread easily among people, and most of the people infected have had direct contact with poultry, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Bird flu has rarely spread from person to person. The human mortality rate for bird flu is about 60 percent.
Treatment
The antiviral drug oseltamivir may make survival more likely if given within the first 48 hours after symptoms develop, according to the World Health Organization. More research needs to be done to determine the effectiveness of antiviral medications against bird flu.
Outlook
There is concern that bird flu will eventually have the ability to spread easily from person to person and cause a pandemic. The U.S. government has purchased a vaccine to distribute in the event of a pandemic, and experts around the world are monitoring the situation, according to the CDC.
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