Humans can become infected with various diseases from animals. Public health experts warn the public about the risks and contagion of acquired communicable diseases. The most common disease is bird flu. Understanding avian influenza and practicing appropriate preventive measures.
H7N9 avian influenza
Researchers around the world share research on the H7N9 avian influenza virus. They found that the H7N9 avian influenza virus could spread or become infected through respiratory secretions. And so far researchers are working on this virus treatment.
Each time a bird flu virus occurs in a genetic mutation, a new type of influenza can develop, researchers said. The virus then evolves into a virus that is transmissible to the fragile human body. The first case of H7N9 avian influenza virus-infected patients dates back to 2013. About 1,500 people were infected with the virus at the time, and most of the patients were Chinese residents.
Dr. Yoshihiro Kawawaka of the University of Tokyo conducted research using ferrets as observation specimens. And confirmed that the virus was active in respiratory secretions from infected animals. The researchers placed two pellets in different cages, 7 cm apart. One of the ferrets was healthy and the other was infected with the virus. But four days later, a healthy ferret virus was infected.
Previous studies have not found that avian influenza virus is activated in the secretion of infected animals. But in this study, Dr. Yoshihiro recalled that H7N9 could be a global concern.
Bird flu
Bird flu is a viral infectious disease affecting people, birds and other animals. Meanwhile, there are many types of bird flu.
The most common type of bird flu is H5N1, which is a deadly virus to birds. More seriously, this type can be infected by humans or other animals through physical contact with the infected colon. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that this type was first discovered in 1997. About 60 percent of people infected with H5N1 at that time died.
Experts argue that if they do not take the appropriate precautions, H5N1 could pose a global risk.
Symptoms and Risk Factors of Avian Influenza
People infected with avian flu have symptoms similar to those of the flu. Symptoms of avian flu include diarrhea, dyspnea, headache, fever, cough, muscle pain, sore throat, and runny nose.
People infected with avian flu should be advised to notify the hospital staff before they arrive at the hospital. This is for the purpose of protecting the medical staff to treat the patient. Preventing further infections of disease is the basic protocol of a medical institution.
The risk factors for bird flu depend on the survival of the virus. For the H5N1 virus, it is active for about 10 days in saliva and excreta. If you touch the infected surface, the probability of infection is quite high.
If so, who is vulnerable to the avian flu virus? People on the following list need to be careful. Poultry farm workers, people who eat uncooked eggs or poultry, people who have been exposed to infected birds, families of infected patients, and medical staff who have treated infected patients.
People who are infected with avian flu
Avian flu treatment has no standard procedure. This is because various symptoms may occur depending on the avian flu virus. In general, however, antiviral drugs are used. Typically, there is jaminivir or oseltamivir which alleviates the symptoms. This treatment has to be prescribed within 48 hours immediately after the symptoms of avian influenza.
Human influenza viruses are resistant to two antiviral drugs, rimantadine and amantadine. Therefore, these two should not be provided when prescribing a therapeutic to the patient. Families or friends who have close contact with infected patients should also be prescribed antiviral drugs to prevent infection. Patients with avian influenza should be quarantined to prevent additional infections.
Regardless of type, avian influenza is very harmful to humans and animals. It is therefore very important to know the correct information to avoid or cope with the disease.
