How does bird flu get into the human body?

How does bird flu get into the human body?

Human infections with bird flu viruses can happen when enough virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled. This can happen when virus is in the air (in droplets or possibly dust) and a person breathes it in, or when a person touches something that has virus on it then touches their mouth, eyes or nose.

Where did the first bird flu outbreak occur?

The first infection occurred in Hong Kong in 1997. The outbreak was linked to handling infected poultry. H5N1 occurs naturally in wild waterfowl, but it can spread easily to domestic poultry. The disease is transmitted to humans through contact with infected bird feces, nasal secretions, or secretions from the mouth or eyes.

How many people were killed by bird flu?

J ust over a dozen years ago, a bird flu virus known as H5N1 was charting a destructive course through Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East, ravaging poultry in apocalyptic numbers and killing 6 in 10 humans known to have contracted it.

Can a bird get sick from an avian flu?

Wild aquatic birds can be infected with avian influenza A viruses in their intestines and respiratory tract, but usually do not get sick, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why is bird flu so dangerous?

Bird Flu can be dangerous to humans because we don’t recognise the spike protiens (HA & NA) on the surface so don’t have antibodies to it. Bird flu’s replicate really well in birds (especially wild water birds) and don’t tend to cause noticeable illness in them.

What states are affected by bird flu?

state, Influenza. Further cases of avian influenza have been reported in the US, as the disease increases its spread. The states of Montana and South Dakota are the latest to be effected by bird flu, which has also been present in Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, Minnesota, California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

How can humans catch bird flu?

Humans can catch bird flu directly through close contact with live infected birds and those who work with infected chickens are most at risk. The virus is excreted, and people may inhale these germs as dust when the droppings dry out. The virus cannot be passed from human to human.

How does Bird Flu effect humans?

When a person contracts bird flu, symptoms mimic human influenza complaints, including cough, muscle aches, fever, and sore throat, but the infection might worsen and cause pneumonia, breathing difficulties, and even death. In documented cases of human infection with H5N1, half of those infected have died.