Bird Flu or Avian Influenza
The Bird Flu or Avian influenza that has taken 283 lives worldwide. While some bird flu infections are harmless to humans, the Bird flu is caused by influenza A or H5N1 and has caused illness to humans. After exposure to bird flu infected chicken, a human may develop fever, body weakness or muscle pain, cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing is severe cases and sore eyes.
Bird Flu is transmitted in Chickens and other birds though direct contact with discharges from infected birds, especially feces and respiratory secretions. They may also be transferred through contaminated feeds, water, cages, equipment, clothing and broken contaminated eggs.
The virus is transferred to humans by inhalation or contamination with infected discharges or feces of sick chicken. The treatment is for Bird flu is the same with the treatment use for other influenza viruses.
Signs and symptoms of Bird Flu in Chicken
1. Swelling of legs
2. Ruffled feathers
3. Sneezing, cough, nasal discharge, fever, weakness, loss of appetite
4. Death
Simple steps in preventing the Avian Flu
- Cook chicken thoroughly
- Do not sell live Chickens and other birds in the market while there is a threat of Bird Flu
- Do not let chicken roam freely. Keep them in cages or pens
- Do not place chicken, ducks and pigs together in one area, cage or pen
- Do not catch, get near of keep in captivity wild birds
- Report to the nearest agricultural/veterinary office any unusual death or illness of chickens and other birds
- Report to the nearest local health centers any case of respiratory illness with history of exposure to sick or dead chickens and other birds
*** Source Philippine Department of Health
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