Avian Influenza (Bird flu) By Brenton Madison, Jesse Richmond,

Sydney Towns

DescriptionAvian Influenza is caused by birds. The virus

can be mutated and could possibly spread to humans.

Type of Disease  Medical name- Avian Influenza

·         Common name- Bird Flu

Symptoms of Disease·         Cough

·         Diarrhea·         Difficulty in breathing·         Fever·         Head ache·         Malaise·         Muscle ache·         Runny nose·         Sore throat

OrginThe first recorded case of H5N1 bird flu in

humans occurred in Hong Kong in 1997, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. The current outbreak of the H5N1 virus in birds began in South Asia in mid 2003 and is considered the most severe on record, according to the World Health Organization.

HistoryIn 1918, the Spanish flu started off as a

normal human influenza virus took a terrible turn and became terribly lethal.  This was the first major flu pandemic of the 20th century.  Scientists believe that this virus was a mutated form of a bird flu virus.

Transmission The birds that are infected usually shed the

bird flu virus in their own saliva, in the bird wastes and in the nasal secretions. When the birds that can get infected, because not all of them can, come into contact with the infected saliva or secretions or with the surfaces that have been contaminated by such secretions, they become infected too. So even dirt in cages is really dangerous because it infects the surfaces. Also food or water can become infected.

TreatmentFor treatment (and prevention) of human

infection with avian influenza A viruses, CDC and WHO currently recommend oseltamivir or zanamivir, two of four prescription antiviral medications currently licensed for use in the United States.

ExtrasPlay

Avian Flu

Audio(4:53)

Works CitedGREENFIELDBOYCE, Nell, writ. Listen to the story.

2013. Web. 26 Feb 2013."SDBirdFlu.org ." Bird Flu-Transmission, Symptoms

and Treatment . N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb 2013. "Bird Flu Facts." History of Bird Flu. N.p., n.d. Web.

25 Feb 2013.PBS newshour. N.p., 01 Nov 2005. Web. 22 Feb

2013."Avian Influenza." PubMed Health. A.D.A.M., Inc, 1

Feb 2011. Web. 22 Feb 2013.. "Prevention and Treatment of Avian Influenza A

Viruses in People." Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Jun 2012. Web. 26 Feb 2013.