After a uncommon human case of fowl flu was found in Texas, specialists within the US have warned, that the fowl flu pandemic with the potential to be “100 occasions worse than COVID” could also be on the horizon. However how actual is the menace? Dr Mohan Kumar Singh, Senior Advisor – Inner Drugs, Marengo Asia Hospital, Gurugram, shares his insights on fowl flu.
What Is Fowl Flu?
“Avian influenza, generally often known as fowl flu, is a viral an infection primarily affecting birds. There are numerous strains of avian influenza viruses, a few of which may infect people and different animals. The commonest strains that infect people are H5N1 and H7N9. These viruses usually reside in contaminated birds’ respiratory and digestive tracts,” says Dr Mohan Kumar Singh.
How Fowl Flu Spreads
Avian influenza spreads by numerous means. “Firstly, direct contact with contaminated birds, their saliva, nasal secretions, and faeces can facilitate the transmission of the virus. Moreover, oblique contact poses a threat, as people can turn into contaminated by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, akin to cages, clothes, or tools,” says Dr Mohan Kumar Singh. Moreover, though uncommon, avian influenza viruses may be transmitted by inhalation of respiratory droplets from contaminated birds, highlighting the potential for airborne unfold. Dr Singh provides, “These a number of pathways of transmission underscore the significance of implementing preventive measures to attenuate contact with contaminated birds and contaminated surfaces, thereby decreasing the chance of avian influenza transmission to people.”
Signs Of Fowl Flu
The signs of avian influenza in people can vary from gentle to extreme and will embrace, as listed by Dr Singh:
– Fever
– Cough
– Sore throat
– Muscle aches
– Issue respiration
– Pneumonia
– Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
– Gastrointestinal signs (akin to diarrhoea)
Extreme instances of avian influenza can result in issues akin to respiratory failure and even demise, the physician mentioned.
How To Stop Fowl Flu
To stop the unfold of avian influenza, a number of key preventive measures ought to be adopted. Dr Singh advises, “Firstly, minimising contact with reside poultry and birds, significantly in areas the place outbreaks have occurred, is important to cut back the chance of transmission. Secondly, sustaining correct hygiene practices is essential; people ought to wash their fingers incessantly with cleaning soap and water, particularly after dealing with birds or visiting markets the place reside poultry are bought.”
Moreover, guaranteeing that poultry and eggs are completely cooked earlier than consumption is essential, as cooking successfully kills the virus. It is also advisable to keep away from touching surfaces which may be contaminated with fowl droppings or secretions, the physician says. Dr Singh provides, “Lastly, when dealing with sick or useless birds, sporting applicable private protecting tools, akin to gloves and masks, is really useful to attenuate the chance of an infection. By adhering to those preventive measures, people might help mitigate the unfold of avian influenza and shield themselves from potential an infection.”
Dr Singh additionally mentions that prevention by vaccination of poultry and surveillance of fowl populations is essential in controlling the unfold of avian influenza. “Moreover, immediate identification and isolation of contaminated people might help stop additional transmission to people,” Dr Singh provides.
H5N1 Pressure Of Fowl Flu: Ought to You Be Fearful?
Dr Singh says the H5N1 pressure of fowl flu is extremely deadly to each birds and people, with reported case fatality charges starting from 30% to 60% amongst contaminated people. “Nonetheless, not like COVID-19, H5N1 has not prompted a pandemic because of its restricted capability to unfold effectively from individual to individual. Human-to-human transmission of H5N1 is uncommon and usually happens by shut contact with contaminated people,” says Dr Singh.
Whereas H5N1 stays a major concern, swift public well being interventions and the virus’s genetic traits have helped to include outbreaks and stop widespread transmission amongst people, the physician says. “Continued monitoring and analysis are important to know and mitigate the dangers related to H5N1 and different rising infectious ailments.”
