What is avian influenza?
Avian influenza is a contagious infection caused
by a virus that can affect all species of birds and,
less commonly, mammals. Wild waterfowl naturally carry
these viruses and can be responsible for the introduction
of infection into domestic poultry. Mutation
of these viruses in poultry may result in strains that
are capable of causing a wide range of illness, from
no symptoms to a severe epidemic that kills up to 100
percent of infected birds.
Is avian flu activity in Europe
and Asia increasing?
According to the World Health Organization and the
World Organization for Animal Health, outbreaks of
H5N1 appear to be increasing. The number of human cases
is currently not that different from what was seen
in 2005. Increasing outbreaks among birds in the affected
countries increases the chances for human exposure
to the virus.
How many people have died in countries
affected by H5N1?
The World
Health Organization provides the most recent
information on the cumulative number of cases and
deaths since January 28, 2004.
Is H5N1 going to evolve into
a strain of pandemic influenza?
We don't know for sure whether or not H5N1 will evolve
into a pandemic strain. It has shown the ability
to mutate so it is a concern.
Influenza viruses are constantly changing over time,
and it is possible that changes in the H5N1 virus currently
circulating in parts of Asia, Europe and Africa could
result in a virus that is more efficiently transmissible
to and among humans. While there have recently been
changes in the virus, there is currently no indication
that the virus has changed to a form that could result
in a pandemic. This possibility is being closely monitored
by the World Health Organization.
Can the H5N1 virus affecting Asia,
Europe and Africa infect pets?
The H5N1 avian influenza virus currently found in
Asia, Africa and Europe has been shown to infect a
number of species of domestic, wild and pet birds (i.e.
chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, etc.). This
virus has also been detected in mammals that may be
kept as pets, including rats and mice, weasels and
ferrets, pigs, cats and dogs, but the number of documented
cases in these animals is very low.
How will we know if H5N1 is
becoming a pandemic strain?
If H5N1, or any other strain of avian influenza, were
to evolve into a pandemic strain of influenza, it is
expected that we would see a daily growing number of
new and unrelated cases of human-to-human transmission
of the virus. This has not been the case to date.
What do the H and the N mean?
These letters refer to surface proteins, hemagglutinin
(H) and neuraminidase (N), on the influenza virus that
determine its subtype.
These proteins work together to cause and spread the
infection. Hemagglutinin initiates infection
by attaching the virus to specific receptors on cells
inside your respiratory tract. Once it multiplies, the
Neuraminidase protein allows the virus to leave and infect
other cells to help spread the infection inside your
body.
Will the annual influenza
vaccine guard against avian influenza?
The current season influenza vaccine does not protect
against avian influenza. However, immunization with
the current season flu vaccine is important for people
in close contact with poultry because it may reduce
the likelihood that a worker would be infected with
the human and avian forms of influenza at the same
time. If a person were infected with both viruses at
the same time, there is a possibility that the two
viruses will "mix" and create a new virus
against which people have no immunity.
Can mosquitoes transmit avian
influenza from birds to people like West Nile?
There is no evidence that the influenza virus can
be transmitted by mosquitoes.
Is it safe to eat poultry or wild
birds?
There is no evidence that avian influenza can be passed
on to humans as the result of eating properly cooked
chicken. According to the World
Health Organization, cooked chicken does not transmit
the avian flu virus. Avian influenza is not a
food-borne disease.
People can safeguard their health by making sure they
follow standard food preparation techniques when preparing
poultry or wild fowl - frequent hand washing, disinfecting
work surfaces, no cross-contamination with other foods,
and ensuring that the bird is thoroughly cooked (an
internal temperature of 77-80°C or 170-176°F)
Can infected animals, such as
cats, transmit the virus to humans?
The World Organization for Animal Health and the Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
have confirmed the World Health Organization's February
2006 statement that "there is no present evidence that
domestic cats can play a role in the transmission cycle
of H5N1 viruses". It is believed that the vast majority
of human cases of H5N1 avian influenza are the result
of direct and close contact with infected birds. There
have been no documented or reported cases of H5N1 avian
influenza being transmitted to people from mammalian
pets (i.e. cats, dogs, mice, ferrets, etc.).
Currently, scientests believe that the risk of a person
getting avian influenza from a mammalian pet is very
low. However, pet owners are encouraged to take precautions
to protect themselves and their pets (i.e. washing
hands after contact with pets, their feces or saliva).
Pet owners should contact their veterinarian if they
have any concerns about the health of their pet.
More information on this topic and the precautions
that can be taken can be found on the Canadian
Food Inspection Agency website.
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