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Human Transmission Of Bird Flu Virus
By: sas_Taxsave

There is no known vaccine for bird flu and it has a high mortality rate of nearly 50% among human beings. It is even more severe among birds and spreads rapidly to epidemic proportions causing massive deaths. The poultry industry has suffered huge loss of revenue because of bird flu. Among human beings it has potential to recombine with the normal flu virus creating a new strain of the virus that could transmit from one person to another. This has potential to cause millions of deaths as there are no medicines available to treat it.

Presently bird flu can be passed on to humans only from infected birds. The transmission of the virus is possible either through direct contact with an infected bird or surfaces contaminated with it. The workers in the poultry industry are at greatest risk since they handle the animals and also may inhale virus contaminated dried discharges or feces particles. Operations like slaughtering, removing feathers etc. carried out for preparing the animals for human consumption carry the maximum risk of infection. Even exposure to feces of wild or domestic infected birds in water bodies, school yards etc. are known to cause spreading of infection. But the spread of the disease among birds is much more rapid compared to birds to humans as while millions of birds are known to have been infected, the no. of registered cases among humans is less than 200.

But there is lurking fear among health officials and scientists that in the long run the bird flu virus would begin to transmit from one person to another just like the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) virus. As new strain of the bird flu virus begins to emerge over time, it is expected to become more powerful and easier to transmit. It could also happen that the virus merges and mutates with the ordinary flu virus when a person gets infected with both the viruses at the same time. In such a case a pandemic is possible that could bring down the economy of the affected region as a whole when the no. of patients could far exceed the capacity of the hospitals.

Taking a few precautions could help in protecting from a pandemic situation, if it occurs. Washing hands with soap solution before taking food and also after coming in contact with animals or strangers is one such precautionary measure. When traveling, a bottle of alcohol based sanitizer could be used for in between washings. When coughing or sneezing, nose and mouth should be covered. Crowds should be avoided especially in closed spaces like in planes or subways. Medical attention should be sought when ill and also movement should be restricted to home. Vaccination schedules as suggested by local health department should be adhered to.