Saturday, August 14, 2010

Avian Influenza (Flu Burung)

(avian influenza) is an infectious disease caused by viruses that normally infect birds and mammals.

Source of infection

Cause of bird flu was type A influenza virus that spreads among birds. This virus was later found to also spread to other species such as pigs, cats, dogs, tigers, and humans.

Influenza virus type A has several subtypes characterized by Hemagglutinin (H) and Neuramidase (N).
There are 9 variants and 14 variants of N. H Bird flu virus is contagious when it is the H5N1 subtype which has a long incubation period of 3-5 days.


Infection Mode

Wild birds and domesticated poultry (livestock) can be a source of H5N1 dispersal. In Southeast Asia most cases of bird flu occurred in poultry transportation routes or instead of wild bird migration routes.

This virus can be transmitted through air or contact through food, drink, and touch. However, this virus will die in high temperatures. Therefore, meat, eggs, and animals should be thoroughly cooked to avoid infection. Personal hygiene should be maintained also by washing hands with antiseptic. Cleanliness of body and clothing also needs to be maintained.

The virus can survive in cold temperatures. Food that is refrigerated or frozen can store the virus. Hands should be washed before and after cooking or touching raw food materials.

Poultry should not be kept in the house or room in which to live. Livestock must be kept away from the housing to reduce the risk of transmission.

Not forever, if infected with the virus will cause illness. However, this can be dangerous in the future because the virus is always mutating, so have the potential pathogen at a time. Therefore, if found in animals or birds that died suddenly the authorities would make the allegation of bird flu. To prevent transmission, the other animals in the surrounding areas need dimusnahkan.dan berkasus prevented the bird flu spreading!


Symptoms and treatment


Common symptoms that can occur are high fever, respiratory complaints, and (probably) the stomach. Viral replication in the body can run fast so that the patient should immediately seek medical attention.

Handling medical and drug administration performed by an authorized medical officer. The drugs commonly given is lowering and anti-virus. Among the antivirus that can be used is the type that inhibit replication of neuramidase (neuramidase inhibitor), among others, Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir. Each of these antivirus has side effects and should be given within a certain time so that the required physician opinion.


Case Avian Influenza

On July 21, 2005, three fatal cases occurred in Tangerang, Indonesia, caused by the H5N1 subtype of bird flu. Unlike other cases in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam), this case is considered unique because the victim was not a lot to do with birds.

Until June 6, 2007, WHO has recorded 310 cases with 189 deaths in humans caused by this virus are as follows (see source):

  • Indonesia - 99 cases with 79 deaths.
  • Vietnam - 93 cases with 42 deaths.
  • Egypt - 34 cases with 14 deaths.
  • Thailand - 25 cases with 17 deaths.
  • Republic of China - 25 cases with 16 deaths.
  • Turkey - 12 cases with four deaths.
  • Azerbaijan - 8 cases with 5 deaths.
  • Cambodia - 7 cases with seven deaths.
  • Iraq - three cases with two deaths.
  • Laos - two cases with two deaths.
  • Nigeria - a case with one death.
  • Djibouti - a case without a death.
Description: The number of cases reported to WHO is the number of cases that have been verified by laboratory results.


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