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After a uncommon human case of hen flu was found in Texas, specialists within the US have warned, that the hen 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 Marketing consultant – Inside Drugs, Marengo Asia Hospital, Gurugram, shares his insights on hen flu.
What Is Chicken Flu?
“Avian influenza, generally generally known as hen 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 most typical strains that infect people are H5N1 and H7N9. These viruses sometimes reside in contaminated birds’ respiratory and digestive tracts,” says Dr Mohan Kumar Singh.
How Chicken Flu Spreads
Avian influenza spreads by means of varied 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 danger, as people can develop 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 could be transmitted by means of 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 reduce contact with contaminated birds and contaminated surfaces, thereby decreasing the chance of avian influenza transmission to people.”
Signs Of Chicken Flu
The signs of avian influenza in people can vary from gentle to extreme and will embody, as listed by Dr Singh:
– Fever
– Cough
– Sore throat
– Muscle aches
– Problem respiration
– Pneumonia
– Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
– Gastrointestinal signs (akin to diarrhoea)
Extreme circumstances of avian influenza can result in issues akin to respiratory failure and even loss of life, the physician stated.
How To Stop Chicken Flu
To forestall the unfold of avian influenza, a number of key preventive measures ought to be adopted. Dr Singh advises, “Firstly, minimising contact with dwell poultry and birds, significantly in areas the place outbreaks have occurred, is important to scale back the chance of transmission. Secondly, sustaining correct hygiene practices is essential; people ought to wash their palms incessantly with cleaning soap and water, particularly after dealing with birds or visiting markets the place dwell poultry are bought.”
Moreover, guaranteeing that poultry and eggs are completely cooked earlier than consumption is necessary, as cooking successfully kills the virus. It is also advisable to keep away from touching surfaces which may be contaminated with hen droppings or secretions, the physician says. Dr Singh provides, “Lastly, when dealing with sick or lifeless birds, sporting applicable private protecting tools, akin to gloves and masks, is really helpful to reduce the chance of an infection. By adhering to those preventive measures, people will help mitigate the unfold of avian influenza and shield themselves from potential an infection.”
Dr Singh additionally mentions that prevention by means of vaccination of poultry and surveillance of hen populations is essential in controlling the unfold of avian influenza. “Moreover, immediate identification and isolation of contaminated people will help stop additional transmission to people,” Dr Singh provides.
H5N1 Pressure Of Chicken Flu: Ought to You Be Apprehensive?
Dr Singh says the H5N1 pressure of hen flu is very deadly to each birds and people, with reported case fatality charges starting from 30% to 60% amongst contaminated people. “Nevertheless, not like COVID-19, H5N1 has not precipitated a pandemic resulting from its restricted potential to unfold effectively from individual to individual. Human-to-human transmission of H5N1 is uncommon and sometimes happens by means of 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 forestall widespread transmission amongst people, the physician says. “Continued monitoring and analysis are important to grasp and mitigate the dangers related to H5N1 and different rising infectious illnesses.”
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