Avian Flu
· Definition
· Avian Flu is the condition of infection with the influenza virus H5N1 which is typically found in birds.
· Overview
· Avian Flu is found in birds and ducks in Southeast Asia
· Avian Flu infection in human has been reported from Asia to the Middle East and also in Europe and Africa.
· Avian Flu infection in humans is associated with a mortality rate greater than 50% and there is a concern that one day there will be a global epidemic of Avian Flu.
· Children and young adults who traditionally are more resistant to the usual influenza are relatively more susceptible to avian influenza
· There is also great concern that the Avian Flu virus may mutate to a form that will allows for a greater ability to transmission for human host to other human host.
· Types
influenza A subtype (H5N1)
· Symptoms
Symptoms are identical to the usual influenza
· cough
· shortness of breath
· fever
· malaise
· muscle and joint aches
· headache
· nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
· Complications
· pneumonia
· respiratory failure and death greater than 50% of cases
· Treatment
· neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir (75 mg twice daily for 5 days) and zanamivir
References
American College of Physicians; Barnitz L et al. The health care response to pandemic in?uenza. Ann Intern Med. 2006 Jul 18;145(2):135–7. [PMID:
16801625]
Beigel JH et al; Writing Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) Consultation on Human In?uenza A/H5. Avian in?uenza (H5N1) in humans. N Engl J
Med. 2005 Sep 29;353(13):1374–85. [PMID: 16192482]
Posted on March 25, 2009
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[...] N protein). · Influenza A outbreaks associated with large changes in the surface proteins include: Avian flu and Swine [...]