Re: Bird Flu'

Bird Flue \ Human infection with avian influenza viruses
There are many different subtypes of type A influenza viruses. These
subtypes differ because of changes in certain proteins on the surface of the
influenza A virus (hemagglutinin [HA] and neuraminidase [NA] proteins).
There are 16 known HA subtypes and 9 known NA subtypes of influenza A
viruses. Many different combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible.
Each combination represents a different subtype. All known subtypes of
influenza A viruses can be found in birds.

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.

"Human influenza virus" usually refers to those subtypes that spread widely
among humans. There are only three known A subtypes of influenza viruses
(H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2) currently circulating among humans. It is likely that
some genetic parts of current human influenza A viruses came from birds
originally. Influenza A viruses are constantly changing, and they might
adapt over time to infect and spread among humans.

During an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry, there is a possible
risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have
been contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds.

Symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical human
influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches)
to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute
respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications.
The symptoms of avian influenza may depend on which virus caused the
infection.

Studies done in laboratories suggest that some of the prescription medicines
approved in the United States for human influenza viruses should work in
treating avian influenza infection in humans. However, influenza viruses can
become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work.
Additional studies are needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of these
medicines.


.

Relevant Pages

  • =?iso-8859-1?Q?HHMI:__A_Virologists_Perspective_on_Influenza_A=28H1N1=29?=
    ... A Virologist's Perspective on Influenza A ... Soon after scientists first isolated influenza A type viruses from pigs in 1931 and humans in 1933, they watched it break evolutionary barriers with alarming ease-infecting not only humans, but also aquatic birds, poultry, pigs, horses, dogs, and other species. ... "Pigs have often been considered a potential halfway house for these viruses because they have receptors for both avian and human influenza." ... He credits the CDC and other public health officials for moving quickly to assemble - and make publicly available -- a vast amount of information about samples of the virus obtained from Mexico, the United States, and elsewhere. ...
    (sci.med.nutrition)
  • Nature is striking back!
    ... Transmission of Influenza A Viruses Between Animals and People ... However, in 1998, H3N2 viruses from humans were introduced into the pig ... influenza A virus if viruses from two different species infect the same ...
    (sci.med.pathology)
  • Re: Avian influenza Know how
    ... infect other species, including pigs and humans. ... avian influenza viruses do not infect humans. ... be a bird virus, it will be a human influenza virus. ...
    (misc.survivalism)
  • Re: Avian influenza Know how
    ... infect other species, including pigs and humans. ... avian influenza viruses do not infect humans. ... be a bird virus, it will be a human influenza virus. ...
    (misc.survivalism)
  • test for haji othman
    ... patients with H1N1 and other types of influenza virus infection. ... freelance writer and reviewer, MedscapeCME ... Accreditation Coordinator, Continuing Professional Education Department, ...
    (soc.culture.malaysia)
Loading