Avian Influenza (H5N1 Bird Flu)

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Context (TOI): The first US case of H5N1 bird flu (Avian Influenza) in a human was detected in a child in California.
Also known as bird flu, it is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects birds.
The H5N1 bird flu virus was first detected in 1996 in China (‘H’ and ‘N’ stand for hemagglutinin & neuraminidase, the proteins on the virus’s surface that regulate entry and exit in host cells).
These viruses (Type A) occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.
Migrating waterfowl, most notably wild ducks, are the natural carriers of bird flu viruses.

Strains of the viruses can generally be classified into two categories:
1. Low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) that typically causes little or no clinical signs;
2. High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) can cause severe clinical signs and possible high mortality rates.
Transmission to humans: Most virus strains do not infect humans, but two contagious strains, H7N9 and H5N1, have caused serious medical complications in humans.
- The virus spreads to humans through close contact with live or dead infected birds.
- Human to human spread is rarely reported.
Symptoms in people can range from mild upper respiratory tract infection (fever and cough) to severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (difficulty breathing), shock, and even death.