Avian influenza A(H5N1) is a type of flu virus that usually infects wild birds and can spread to domestic birds and other animals.
It occasionally infects people, though it is extremely rare for it to be transmitted from one person to another.
Where did the avian flu come from?
In 1996, highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus is first identified in domestic waterfowl in Southern China.
The virus is named A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996.
In 1997, H5N1 poultry outbreaks happen in China and Hong Kong with 18 associated human cases (6 deaths) in Hong Kong Is the bird flu a threat to humans?
Bird flu in humans can cause a range of serious and potentially fatal complications, including: eye infections.
Pneumonia, including viral pneumonia.
Acute respiratory distress.Is bird flu curable?
CDC currently recommends treatment as soon as possible with flu antiviral drugs for people who get sick with bird flu.
Antiviral treatment works best when started as soon as symptoms begin.What are the first signs of the bird flu?
In humans, avian influenza symptoms vary, depending on the virus strain.
Symptoms range from a mild flu like illness, sometimes with conjunctivitis (red, sore, discharging eyes), diarrhoea and abdominal pain, to a severe respiratory illness with breathing difficulties and pneumonia.What happens if you get avian flu?
Illnesses in humans from bird flu virus infections have ranged in severity from no symptoms or mild illness (e.g., eye infection, upper respiratory symptoms) to severe disease (e.g., pneumonia) that resulted in death.What happens if you get avian flu?
Illnesses in humans from bird flu virus infections have ranged in severity from no symptoms or mild illness (e.g., eye infection, upper respiratory symptoms) to severe disease (e.g., pneumonia) that resulted in death.