Bird Flu Bird flu or Avian Influenza is an infectious dis­ease of birds caused by type A influenza virus.

There may be pneumonia, ARDS and multi-or­gan failure,Avian influenza A is caused by H5Nl, H7N3, H7N7 and H9N2 strains. The H5Nl virus causes severe disease in man result­ing in death.

Bird FluBird flu or Avian Influenza isaninfectious dis­easeof birds

• Birds are the natural hosts for influenza A. Humans are affected very rarely.
• There are 3 types of influenza viruses A, Band C. Influenza A viruses are classified into:

• 1. HA- Haemagglutinin
• 2. NA – Neuraminidase

Bird FluBird flu or Avian Influenza virus

Bird Flu Avian Influenza Avian influenza A is caused by

• H5Nl,
• H7N3,
• H7N7 and
• H9N2 strains.
• The H5Nl virus causes severe disease in man result­ing in death.
• The infection can lead to a pandemic.

Transmission of infection Bird Flu Avian Influenza

Transmission of infection Bird Flu Avian Influenza

• · Direct contact with poultry, or their faeces is the main source of infection.
• · Infection occurs during the slaughtering of birds for cooking.
• · It is very rare for humans to get infected by this virus.

Transmission of infection Bird Flu Avian Influenza

Clinical features Bird Flu Avian Influenza

• · There is an influenza-like illness.
• · There may be conjunctivitis.
• · Gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting may occur.
• There may be pneumonia, ARDS and multi-or­gan failure.
• There may be consolidation, collapse and inter­stitial disease seen on chest X-ray.
• Reye’s syndrome and pulmonary haemorrhage may also occur.
• The disease is commonly seen 3-4 days after exposure.
• It presents as community acquired pneumonia with fever.

Clinical features Bird Flu Avian Influenza

Investigations Bird Flu Avian Influenza

• · Lymphopenia
• · Thrombocytopenia
• · Pneu mothorax
• · Findings of ARDS (Acute respiratory distress syndrome)
• · Features of multiorgan damage
• · Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIe)
• · Hemophagocytic syndrome.

Diagnosis Bird Flu Avian Influenza

• • There is history of contact with poultry.

Treatment Bird Flu Avian Influenza

• Those with a history of contact with poultry and severe pneumonia should be treated with Oseltamivir, and broad spectrum antibiotics.
• Dose of Oseltamivir is 75 mg twice a day for 5 days.
• Vaccines for pandemic virus are not available as yet.