Posted on 02/20/2006 8:16:56 AM PST by Grendel9
Avian influenza (also known as bird flu, avian flu, influenzavirus A flu, type A flu, or genus A flu) is a flu due to a type of influenza virus that is hosted by birds, but may infect several species of mammals. It was first identified in Italy in the early 1900s and is now known to exist worldwide. A strain of the H5N1-type of avian influenzavirus that emerged in 1997 has been identified as the most likely source of a future influenza pandemic and is known to have infected 146 people in Asia since 2003, killing 76. *** In humans
In humans, avian flu viruses cause similar symptoms to other types of flu. [15] These include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, conjunctivitis and, in severe cases, severe breathing problems and pneumonia that may be fatal. The severity of the infection will depend to a large part on the state of the infected person's immune system and if the victim has been exposed to the strain before, and is therefore partially immune. In one case, a boy with H5N1 experienced diarrhea followed rapidly by a coma without developing respiratory or flu-like symptoms, suggesting non-standard symptoms.
The avian influenza subtypes that have been confirmed in humans, ordered by the number of known human deaths, are: H1N1 caused Spanish flu, H2N2 caused Asian Flu, H3N2 caused Hong Kong Flu, H5N1, H7N7, H9N2, H7N2, H7N3, H10N7.
(Excerpt) Read more at all-about-bird-flu.net ...
So far, all of the cases of human infection have been through contact with live poultry. And to date, there is no evidence that these people are of the socio/economic means who would be found traveling on air lines or any commercial transport. Yet, the pandemic theory prevails.
It comes to mind that since most humans do NOT handle birds, the virus might well be detected first in dogs, cats, and other species which live part of their lives outdoors, then come into our homes where they have even closer contact with us than a bird handler does with his charges.
My question is how is it transmitted? Mosquitoes or direct contact?
I have a reason for this question.
Check out this site. It is excellent.
http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/h5n1/
Cats, not canaries, will serve as sentinels for bird flu, said Dr. Lewis. There are 70 million cats in America, which makes them more common than songbirds and a more reliable source of information. An H5N1 outbreak at a Thai zoo laid waste to its tiger population, which had been fed infected chickens, revealing the feline vulnerabilities to the virus. So far, dogs have not proven susceptible to bird flu.
Yikes ping.
OK, I have a bunch of birds and other pets too.
I'll just have to quarantine any new arrivals :)
Infected birds shed influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated secretions or excretions or with surfaces that are contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds. Domesticated birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces (such as dirt or cages) or materials (such as water or feed) that have been contaminated with the virus.
Usually, “avian influenza virus” refers to influenza A viruses found chiefly in birds, but infections with these viruses can occur in humans. The risk from avian influenza is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans. However, confirmed cases of human infection from several subtypes of avian influenza infection have been reported since 1997. Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.
Thanks a bunch!
I'm not worried about me, but my flock of fids ;)
I think I read about a recent seroprevalence study in Thailand they conducted on dogs and cats, and they found H5N1 antibodies in dogs too.
I'll see if I can find the article.
OK,
so there is a chance that my cats could get it if they caught a sick wild bird (I feed them but they're busy little buggers).
Oh well, I'll just watch everyone closely.
Seems that in any case, dogs are less susceptible. I wonder if the stomach acids in dogs are stronger because they are more likely than cats to eat carrion? Or perhaps their immune systems are stronger?
It's a rough time to be a carnivore. Beef -- BSE. Sheep -- Scrapie. Pork -- Probably everything! Poultry -- avian flu. Fish -- mercury and other toxins. What's left for the non-vegan?
Thanks. Looks good for dogs, anyway.
Time to cull the cats!
Save the KITTIES!
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