As more and more cases of bird flu are reported, is the world against an imminent threat of a deadly pandemic. Pandemics (global epidemics) are known, as well as flooding. They start abruptly, spread fast and cause a lot of damage all over the world.
A few facts everyone should know:
What is avian influenza?
As the name suggests, avian influenza refers to infections caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These viruses are usually found in the intestines of wild animalsBirds and the birds, the virus without wearing ill. However, the virus can be pathogenic to domestic birds like chickens, ducks and turkeys. Pets are infected with contaminated by contact with other birds or through surfaces through secretions and feces of infected animals.
These viruses are classified as low pathogenicity and high pathogenicity. Most strains of avian influenza avian influenza (LPAI) Group to come to produce a slightSymptoms in infected birds. The most common symptoms are the ruffled feathers, reduced feed intake of appetite, decreased egg production, sneezing and coughing. Many times LPAI may go undetected.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has more severe symptoms, sudden death, loss of energy and appetite, decreased egg production, respiratory problems, facial edema (swelling), poorly trained include eggs and diarrhea. HPAI reach a mortality rate approaching 100%.
What is the H5N1 strain of bird fluInfluence?
All influenza viruses are classified as type A, B or C depending on their structural arrangement. Type A is responsible for the deadly pandemics and is found in both animals and humans. Type B causes local outbreaks of influenza. Type C is the most stable of the three infected show only mild symptoms of flu. Type B and C are usually found only in humans. Type B and C are more stable than type A and are not divided into subtypes based on their own.
Influenza A viruses are dividedinto subtypes and the designation is made on the basis of two proteins (antigens) found on their surface has - hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Sixteen types of HA and nine types of NA exist. In order for a total of 144 combinations are possible.
Sun H5N1 is a virus of type A and takes its name from five proteins HA and NA 1 protein on the surface.
How to Type A viruses cause a pandemic?
Type A viruses are further divided into tribes. These strains can continuously develop in differentTribes. Their ability to exchange genetic material with other viruses and new influenza viruses makes it unpredictable and hard to fight. People must again develop immunity (antibodies) to each time new strains.
Viruses can not be repaired DNA damage, small changes as "antigenic drift" constantly called new strains of the virus. However, if the genetic material from Type A viruses of different species - for example a bird and a man comes and goes,a completely new strain is created. This is called "antigenic shift" People have no immunity against this strain and the strain can spread quickly to what is known of a pandemic.
Because the virus is transmitted from birds to humans?
Avian influenza viruses normally infect humans. Migratory birds act as carriers of this virus and not get affected by them. These birds then come in contact with domestic birds such as chickens and turkeys and spread the infection to them. Pet birdsthe virus through contact with contaminated surfaces. Once a virus infects domestic birds, can cause serious outbreak among birds. People come into contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces and the collection of the virus.
In the human body, the bird flu virus then undergoes an antigenic shift combined with the genome of a strain of human influenza virus and creates a completely new strain of virus against which humans have little or no immunity. These geneticreassortment can take place, the body of a third species (susceptible to both human and avian viruses), as the pig, where a virus and human influenza viruses mix their genetic information and a new virus that could be found in able to infect humans.
Because H5N1 is dangerous?
The first cases of H5N1 infection have been detected in geese in southern China in 1997. Altogether 18 people were infected and six of them in order to kill him. The infection spreadsrapidly to poultry in Hong Kong. At that time half a million chickens were slaughtered in Hong Kong to keep the virus under control. The virus disappeared for some years, but once again emerged in 2002 in Hong Kong. Since then it has killed millions of birds in Asia and in many cases of human infections.
The persistence of this H5N1 strain of the virus is a major concern for the people. Although the virus does not transmit easily from birds to humans, the severity of the infectionH5N1 in humans is shocking. The virus has killed every other person infected with it. These cases were perfectly healthy people who had a history of infections reported. You can not change the main concern for the world the possibility that the virus (antigenic shift SUBJECT) and create a form that spreads from person to person. This strain of the virus can cause a pandemic, killing millions of people around the world.
The consumption of poultry meat safe?
Yes, it isto consume in a safe, well-cooked poultry products. The H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat and is destroyed by normal cooking temperatures 7-10 degrees Celsius. If meat from poultry and eggs are cooked properly, the virus is destroyed. So make sure that no part of the meat remains raw or uncooked.
How big is the threat of a pandemic break out?
The world has had to deal with a pandemic of bird flu, three times in the twentieth century. In the years 1918-1919 killed "Spanish flu" somewhere between20000000-50000000 people (exact figures not known), including half a million in the United States alone. 'S "Asian flu" killed 70,000 in 1957/58 and the United States in 1968-1969, the' "Hong Kong flu" killed 34 000 in the United States.
Currently, the risk of H5N1 into a pandemic strain is large. The virus is spreading rapidly into new areas and efforts to reduce them have proved inadequate.
Domestic ducks have become a "reservoir" for the virus. They act as a vectorfor the virus - their bodies carry the virus without signs of infection. Infected ducks then release large amounts of virus pathogenic form in their excretions spreading the virus to other birds or humans. And 'detection of the virus difficult especially in rural areas.
According to health experts, the virus has already met the first two conditions for the inclusion of a pandemic. First, a module for which humans have no immunity built reached, and secondly,Must be due to pathogenic disease severe enough, and death in humans.
The current threat of a pandemic is very high. The only factor that prevented a pandemic so far is that the virus mutates into a form yet, so it would be transmitted efficiently from person to person. Once such a change takes place for the virus, a pandemic is inevitable. The first signs of such a reassortment will be presence of groups of patients with symptoms of influenza, closely related- Both in time and space. This would be a clear sign of the virus with the ability to be transmitted from person to person.
Currently no vaccine developed to combat the H5N1 strain. Simultaneous work is being done in many countries for the development of a vaccine, but no success was achieved. The exact virus causing the pandemic can not be predetermined. Since the mass production of the vaccine before the pandemic, is excluded. The worldwide production capacity is not sufficient toGame of the sudden surge in demand during a pandemic. The best thing you can do the scientists is to undertake a study and determine the smallest amount of antigen per dose to provide adequate protection and therefore to optimize the number of vaccines.
What precautions necessary to prevent a pandemic?
The first logical step is to control the spread of the disease in birds, but this seems a difficult task now. Avian influenza has become an epidemic of avian flu in many parts of Asia andIt spread rapidly.
The next step is to always prevent the disease transmitted to humans. People who are in close contact with birds (like farmers) get to keep a watchful eye on the health of birds of all kinds of disease in birds, which health authorities and avoid direct contact with sick birds in all cases. (Ducks have become a reservoir for the virus and may show signs of illness, even if they are carriers of the virus.)
In the event of pandemic influenzaMost countries of the world will be affected. In such a scenario would be the best prevention for personal hygiene, avoiding crowded places and to stay away from raw meat and eggs.
The flu vaccine does not prevent avian flu, but it can protect a person from other forms of flu and avoid complications. People with more than 65 years, children, health workers, people with chronic respiratory diseases, flu affected countries and travelers against pregnant women seek medical adviceon influenza vaccination.
What are the symptoms and treatments for human avian influenza?
A person infected with bird flu are all normal symptoms of flu such as fever, persistent cough, sore throat and muscle aches. In addition, there is a high risk of complications such as pneumonia, infections, bronchitis, eye and ear and severe respiratory problems.
Currently four drugs to fight the flu.
The most effective drugs against seasonal influenza are known to oseltamivir (trade nameTamiflu) and Zanamavir (trade name Relenza). Both are known to reduce the severity and duration of seasonal flu, but may prove ineffective if the virus can remain in the body for too long. Influenza experts recommend treatment with these drugs should be initiated within 48 hours after the first symptoms APPEARANCE FLU.
Decline Zanamavir oseltamivir and the neuraminidase inhibitors class. The surface protein Neuraminidase breaks bonds between new viruses and infectedCells. By blocking the activity of neuraminidase, preventing them from releasing new viruses of the two drugs.
Another class of drugs - the M2 inhibitors is also available, but viruses develop resistance to these drugs quickly and thus these drugs may be ineffective in controlling pandemics. Amantadine and rimantadine, two drugs in this class. These drugs inhibit the activity of the M2 protein, a channel in the membranes of viruses, mold, preventing the virus from. Replicate
You should have a doctor before taking these drugs because these drugs are known to cause side effects, in some cases to read. For example Zanamavir is not recommended for people with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma.
(This article was written January 25, 2006, and in fact no developments that took place after that date.)
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