Changes

'''Key diagnostic tags'''<br>

'''Key diagnostic tags'''<br>

<font color="blue">Influenza, Sudden death, Zoonosis, Avian, Respiratory</font color>

<font color="blue">Influenza, Sudden death, Zoonosis, Avian, Respiratory</font color>

<big><b>Risk to human health: <font color="red">HIGH</font color></b></big>

<big><b>Risk to human health: <font color="red">HIGH</font color></b></big>

===Overview===

==Overview==

[[Avian Influenza|Avian influenza (AI)]] also known as “bird flu” is an infectious viral disease of birds (especially wild water fowl such as ducks and geese), often causing no apparent signs of illness. AI is very contagious among birds and can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms, ranging from mild illness (which may pass unnoticed), to a rapidly fatal disease that can cause epidemics of severe illness and death. The virus normally spreads from bird’s saliva, nasal secretions, and faeces. Susceptible birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces or materials  that have been contaminated with the virus. Link to pictures

[[Avian Influenza|Avian influenza (AI)]] also known as “bird flu” is an infectious viral disease of birds (especially wild water fowl such as ducks and geese), often causing no apparent signs of illness. AI is very contagious among birds and can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms, ranging from mild illness (which may pass unnoticed), to a rapidly fatal disease that can cause epidemics of severe illness and death. The virus normally spreads from bird’s saliva, nasal secretions, and faeces. Susceptible birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces or materials  that have been contaminated with the virus. Link to pictures

<font color="red">'''Humans''' - Avian influenza viruses do not normally infect humans. However, there have been instances of certain highly pathogenic strains causing severe respiratory disease in humans. In most cases, the people infected had been in close contact with infected poultry or with objects contaminated by their faeces. Nevertheless, there is concern that the virus could mutate to become more easily transmissible between humans, raising the possibility of an influenza pandemic. In 2005 there was an outbreak of a strain of avian influenza known as H5N1, and in the last month there have been reports from China of human deaths from a new strain, H7N9. Link</font color>

<font color="red">'''Humans''' - Avian influenza viruses do not normally infect humans. However, there have been instances of certain highly pathogenic strains causing severe respiratory disease in humans. In most cases, the people infected had been in close contact with infected poultry or with objects contaminated by their faeces. Nevertheless, there is concern that the virus could mutate to become more easily transmissible between humans, raising the possibility of an influenza pandemic. In 2005 there was an outbreak of a strain of avian influenza known as H5N1, and in the last month there have been reports from China of human deaths from a new strain, H7N9. Link</font color>

===Signs===

==Signs==

Poultry infected with avian influenza viruses causes two main forms of disease that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The "low pathogenic" form may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production). However, the highly pathogenic form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form may cause disease that affects multiple internal organs and has a mortality rate that can reach 90-100% often within 48 hours.

Poultry infected with avian influenza viruses causes two main forms of disease that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The "low pathogenic" form may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production). However, the highly pathogenic form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form may cause disease that affects multiple internal organs and has a mortality rate that can reach 90-100% often within 48 hours.

<font color="red">'''Humans''' - Initial symptoms include a high fever, usually with a temperature higher than 38C, and other influenza-like symptoms. Diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain, and bleeding from the nose and gums have also been reported as early symptoms in some patients. One feature seen in many patients is the development of lower respiratory tract early in the illness. On present evidence, difficulty in breathing develops around five days following the first symptoms. Respiratory distress, a hoarse voice, and a crackling sound when inhaling are commonly seen. Sputum production is variable and sometimes bloody. Link</font color>

<font color="red">'''Humans''' - Initial symptoms include a high fever, usually with a temperature higher than 38C, and other influenza-like symptoms. Diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain, and bleeding from the nose and gums have also been reported as early symptoms in some patients. One feature seen in many patients is the development of lower respiratory tract early in the illness. On present evidence, difficulty in breathing develops around five days following the first symptoms. Respiratory distress, a hoarse voice, and a crackling sound when inhaling are commonly seen. Sputum production is variable and sometimes bloody. Link</font color>

===Diagnosis===

==Diagnosis==

Clinical signs are normally indicative of the disease.

Clinical signs are normally indicative of the disease.

For critically ill patients, collection and testing of lower respiratory tract specimens may lead to a diagnosis. For some patients who are no longer very sick or who have fully recovered, it may be difficult to find the avian influenza A virus in the specimen that was collected, using these methods. It can take several weeks to verify the results, and testing must be performed in a special laboratory, such as at CDC. Further information</font color>

For critically ill patients, collection and testing of lower respiratory tract specimens may lead to a diagnosis. For some patients who are no longer very sick or who have fully recovered, it may be difficult to find the avian influenza A virus in the specimen that was collected, using these methods. It can take several weeks to verify the results, and testing must be performed in a special laboratory, such as at CDC. Further information</font color>

===Treatment and prevention===

==Treatment and prevention==

For highly pathogenic avian influenza, there is no current treatment. All birds must be slaughtered immediately and all birds on the premises must also be destroyed. The premises must be isolated and mass disinfection  should occur before new stock are brought in.

For highly pathogenic avian influenza, there is no current treatment. All birds must be slaughtered immediately and all birds on the premises must also be destroyed. The premises must be isolated and mass disinfection  should occur before new stock are brought in.

<font color="red">'''Humans''' – Humans in contact with suspected sick birds need to be montiored for signs of developing influenza symptoms. In case of this, supportive therapy is needed. Evidence suggests that some antiviral drugs, notably oseltamivir, can reduce the duration of viral replication and improve prospects of survival. In suspected cases, oseltamivir should be prescribed as soon as possible (ideally, within 48 hours following symptom onset) to maximize its therapeutic benefits. However, given the significant mortality currently associated with H5N1 infection and evidence of prolonged viral replication in this disease, administration of the drug should also be considered in patients presenting later in the course of illness. In cases of severe infection with the H5N1 virus, clinicians may need to consider increasing the recommended daily dose or/and the duration of treatment. In severely ill H5N1 patients or in H5N1 patients with severe gastrointestinal symptoms, drug absorption may be impaired. This possibility should be considered when managing these patients. Further information </font color>

<font color="red">'''Humans''' – Humans in contact with suspected sick birds need to be montiored for signs of developing influenza symptoms. In case of this, supportive therapy is needed. Evidence suggests that some antiviral drugs, notably oseltamivir, can reduce the duration of viral replication and improve prospects of survival. In suspected cases, oseltamivir should be prescribed as soon as possible (ideally, within 48 hours following symptom onset) to maximize its therapeutic benefits. However, given the significant mortality currently associated with H5N1 infection and evidence of prolonged viral replication in this disease, administration of the drug should also be considered in patients presenting later in the course of illness. In cases of severe infection with the H5N1 virus, clinicians may need to consider increasing the recommended daily dose or/and the duration of treatment. In severely ill H5N1 patients or in H5N1 patients with severe gastrointestinal symptoms, drug absorption may be impaired. This possibility should be considered when managing these patients. Further information </font color>

===Diseases with similar signs===

==Similar Diseases ==

Any mild to severe contagious respiratory disease (i.e. Newcastle Disease, infectious bronchitis, infectious laryngotracheitis, acute fowl cholera, acute Escherichia coli infections)

Any mild to severe contagious respiratory disease (i.e. Newcastle Disease, infectious bronchitis, infectious laryngotracheitis, acute fowl cholera, acute Escherichia coli infections)

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[[Category:Factoids]]

[[Category:Factoids]]