What is Bird Flu?

Bird Flu (also known as avian influenza) is a type of influenza virulent in birds. It was first identified in Italy in the early 1900s and is now known to exist worldwide.

The causative agent is the avian influenza (AI) virus. AI viruses all belong to the influenza virus A genus of the Orthomyxoviridae family and are negative-stranded, segmented RNA viruses.

Avian influenza spreads in the air and in manure. Wild fowl often act as resistant carriers, spreading it to more susceptible domestic stocks. It can also be transmitted by contaminated feed, water, equipment and clothing; however, there is no evidence that the virus can survive in well cooked meat.

Cats are also thought to be possible infection vectors for H5N1 strains of avian flu.

The incubation period is 3 to 5 days. Symptoms in animals vary, but virulent strains can cause death within a few days.
A number of Asian countries have been affected by avian flu (bird flu) infecting their poultry stocks. In some of these countries, a small number of people have contracted the avian flu virus from chickens.

Scientists are concerned by these events because it is feared that the avian flu virus could merge with a human flu virus. The result of this merging might result in a new, highly infectious, rapidly fatal flu virus. Such a new virus would be transmitted rapidly from person to person with potentially devastating results.

To keep the outbreak of avian flu virus under control, many of the Asian countries are culling their poultry stocks to prevent further spread of the virus.