What is it?
It is rare type of flu spread between birds and rarely affects humans.
If one sees dead birds which are unexplained, report to your local authorities immediately.
Countries affected are:
Europe & Russia
Africa
Asia
- Cambodia
- China
- Macao
- Vietnam
Diagnosis tests
- Nasal wash specimens for detection of virus and viral subtyping
- Blood tests
- Sputum cultures
- Lumbar punctures for cerebral spinal fluid
- Polymerase chain reaction analysis
Cause
Various strains have been identified for example:
From:
- Birds (commercial, pets and/or wild)
- Chickens
- Ducks
- Geese
- Turkey
- Bird droppings (inhaling or being in contact with dust from droppings)
- Inhaling or in contact droplets sneezed by birds
- Dead birds (including slaughter, culling or butchering)
- Breading of infected birds
- Prolonged contact with birds
- Birds are sold in crowded markets and there has been an outbreak of bird flu.
- H5N1 viruses have been found in high concentrations in raw, unpasteurized milk from infected cows hence consumption of raw milk.
Symptoms
(Symptoms can come on suddenly)
- High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
- Ear infection (earache greater than four days) or a discharge?
- Runny nose, congestion, cold not cleared by over the counter medication or greater than three weeks?
- Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
- Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
- General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
- Initially a persistent dry cough which has now become a chesty cough with yellow/green and/or blood stained phlegm?
- Sore throat longer than seven days or more?
- Loss of appetite/upset stomach/Watery diarrhoea?
- Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
- Gum bleeding?
- Nose bleeding?
- Conjunctivitis?
Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:
Medical Emergency Condition
And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:
Preventing bird flu
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk when you visit areas where outbreaks have been reported, such as:
- Avoid visiting live animal markets and poultry farms
- Avoid contact with surfaces that are contaminated with bird droppings
- Don’t pick up or touch birds (dead or alive)
- Don’t eat or handle undercooked or raw poultry, egg or duck dishes
- Don’t bring any live poultry products back to the UK, including feathers
- Always practise good personal hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly
NHS Choices
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Bird Flu (Avian Flu) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
- NHS
Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help (British National Health Service).
- Medscape
Latest medical news and expert commentary in your specialty as well as disease information.
- Pharmaceutical Journal
The Pharmaceutical Journal covers analysis, features, opinion, learning and careers articles, providing insight and knowledge about drugs, pharmacy practice, medicines use and healthcare policy in the context of the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical science.
- Healthline
Medical Information and health advice you can trust
- ChatGPT
Get instant answers, find creative inspiration, and learn something new.
- Medical News Today
Medical news and health news headlines posted throughout the day, every day.
- WebMD
Better Information. Better Health.
- Cleveland Clinic
Pushing the Standards of care.
- Mayo Clinic
No.1 Hospital in the Nation (America)
- Drugs.com
Know more. Be sure.
- National Organisation of Rare Diseases
NORD is dedicated to supporting education, elevating care, advancing research, and driving policy for rare diseases.
- Verywell Health
Know more. Fell better.
- Fit for Travel
Information on how to stay safe and healthy abroad.
- DR Axe
Health and fitness news. Recipes, Natural Remedies
