Bird Influenza also known as Avian Influenza is a group of different viruses that affect birds.
There are some that do not cause any sickness in birds and others that can cause serious illnesses and even death.
There is one particular strand of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 that is causing concern because it is infecting chickens and other poultry in several continents across the world.
In various cases the people that have come in contact with these domesticated birds have gotten very sick and half of those have died from it.
There is currently no sign of this severe form of Bird Influenza in the United States but Health Officials are keeping a close watch.
One of the most important details you need to be aware of is the people that have gotten sick were in close contact with poultry.
If you do have contact with birds avoid touching them with your bare hands and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Since both human and bird influenza are ever changing there is a big concern that H5N1 can mutate into a strand that will transfer from birds to humans and then from humans to humans.
If this were to occur there can be what is known as an influenza pandemic.
There are some precautions you can take to protect your family and yourself from the Bird Influenza: - Avoid contact with any animal that appears to be sick.
- Wash your hands after coming in contact with any type of animal.
- Make sure to thoroughly cook all meats and eggs before consuming.
Wash any surfaces and utensils you will be using with soap and warm water.
- Wash your hands before and after preparing food.
There is currently no vaccine for the H5N1 virus.
They are in the process of developing a vaccine in the case that the Bird Influenza changes and infects humans, but this vaccine is not currently available yet.
If you are planning to travel internationally to a country that has known cases of Avian Influenza make sure to avoid any live stock including those found in market places.
Do not touch any surface that you think may have animal or poultry feces.
Check any information available to you before you travel in case there is an outbreak.
There are some that do not cause any sickness in birds and others that can cause serious illnesses and even death.
There is one particular strand of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 that is causing concern because it is infecting chickens and other poultry in several continents across the world.
In various cases the people that have come in contact with these domesticated birds have gotten very sick and half of those have died from it.
There is currently no sign of this severe form of Bird Influenza in the United States but Health Officials are keeping a close watch.
One of the most important details you need to be aware of is the people that have gotten sick were in close contact with poultry.
If you do have contact with birds avoid touching them with your bare hands and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Since both human and bird influenza are ever changing there is a big concern that H5N1 can mutate into a strand that will transfer from birds to humans and then from humans to humans.
If this were to occur there can be what is known as an influenza pandemic.
There are some precautions you can take to protect your family and yourself from the Bird Influenza: - Avoid contact with any animal that appears to be sick.
- Wash your hands after coming in contact with any type of animal.
- Make sure to thoroughly cook all meats and eggs before consuming.
Wash any surfaces and utensils you will be using with soap and warm water.
- Wash your hands before and after preparing food.
There is currently no vaccine for the H5N1 virus.
They are in the process of developing a vaccine in the case that the Bird Influenza changes and infects humans, but this vaccine is not currently available yet.
If you are planning to travel internationally to a country that has known cases of Avian Influenza make sure to avoid any live stock including those found in market places.
Do not touch any surface that you think may have animal or poultry feces.
Check any information available to you before you travel in case there is an outbreak.
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