Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza (AI) commonly known as "bird flu" is an infectious viral disease of birds, especially wild waterfowl. Wild birds can be asymptomatic carriers spreading the virus, while domestic birds usually sicken and die in just a few days after contracting the virus. AI has been identified in over 100 different species of wild birds worldwide, with the majority of these being waterfowl (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).
OVERVIEW
I was unable to find a clear date for the imminence of AI in birds; however, the first human infection of highly pathogenic AI virus was detected in 1997 during a poultry outbreak in Hong Kong, China (World Health Organization). Since then AI has spread and been identified in over 16 countries …show more content…
LPAI symptoms include ruffled feathers and decreased egg production and therefor often go unnoticed. HPAI symptoms include: lack of energy and appetite, decreased egg production and soft shells, swelling of head, eyelids, combs, wattles, and hocks, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, stumbling, falling down, diarrhea, and sudden death with no symptoms. HPAI has a high mortality rate of up to 100% within 48 hours. In people signs LPAI range from conjunctivitis to general flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches) to pneumonia requiring hospitalization. HPAI virus infections have been associated with a wider range of symptoms from conjunctivitis, flu-like symptoms, “severe respiratory illness (e.g. shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia, respiratory failure) with multi-organ disease, sometimes accompanied by nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and sometimes neurologic changes (altered mental status, seizures)” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
There is testing to confirm and identify AI strains, swabs can be from the affected bird or the environment the bird is in. The laboratory looks for AI virus either by using a molecular test, by trying to grow the virus, or both. There are 45 laboratories in the United States that make up the National Animal Health Laboratory Network that do testing for AI; confirmation testing is completed at the National Veterinary Service Laboratory (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).
TREATMENT, PREVENTION, AND CONTROL
Avian Influenza (AI) commonly known as "bird flu" is an infectious viral disease of birds, especially wild waterfowl. Wild birds can be asymptomatic carriers spreading the virus, while domestic birds usually sicken and die in just a few days after contracting the virus. AI has been identified in over 100 different species of wild birds worldwide, with the majority of these being waterfowl (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).
OVERVIEW
I was unable to find a clear date for the imminence of AI in birds; however, the first human infection of highly pathogenic AI virus was detected in 1997 during a poultry outbreak in Hong Kong, China (World Health Organization). Since then AI has spread and been identified in over 16 countries …show more content…
LPAI symptoms include ruffled feathers and decreased egg production and therefor often go unnoticed. HPAI symptoms include: lack of energy and appetite, decreased egg production and soft shells, swelling of head, eyelids, combs, wattles, and hocks, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, stumbling, falling down, diarrhea, and sudden death with no symptoms. HPAI has a high mortality rate of up to 100% within 48 hours. In people signs LPAI range from conjunctivitis to general flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches) to pneumonia requiring hospitalization. HPAI virus infections have been associated with a wider range of symptoms from conjunctivitis, flu-like symptoms, “severe respiratory illness (e.g. shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia, respiratory failure) with multi-organ disease, sometimes accompanied by nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and sometimes neurologic changes (altered mental status, seizures)” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
There is testing to confirm and identify AI strains, swabs can be from the affected bird or the environment the bird is in. The laboratory looks for AI virus either by using a molecular test, by trying to grow the virus, or both. There are 45 laboratories in the United States that make up the National Animal Health Laboratory Network that do testing for AI; confirmation testing is completed at the National Veterinary Service Laboratory (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).
TREATMENT, PREVENTION, AND CONTROL