Bird Flu Center

Bird flu is an infectious disease which is caused by type A influenza virus strains. The disease is in fact historically documented since an outbreak occurred in Italy more than a century ago.

All birds are at risk to become infected with the disease, but some species seem to present a natural resistance to it (these include mainly wild birds, such as wild ducks). The spectrum of symptoms ranges from mild to severe illness eventually causing death and fast spreading of the virus. It is known as a fact that domestic poultry, especially chickens and turkeys, are more susceptible to fatal bird flu epidemics. Direct or indirect contact from domestic flocks with wild migratory birds or waterfowl is the most frequent cause of epidemics, but in fact live bird markets also play a role in the spread of the disease.

Recent study has revealed more worrying facts about the ability of the virus to mutate from a low pathogenic form to a highly pathogenic one, as was the case in the United States during a 1983-84 epidemic and in Italy in 2001, with 30 million birds dying or having to be sacrificed in the two countries. Bird flu is also transmitted from farm to farm via mechanical equipment, so contaminated vehicles, cages or clothing need to be supervised and disinfected. However the main measures of fighting off the virus include quarantine imposed on the locations where the infection has been discovered and culling of all the ill birds and the ones they were exposed to.

The main concern in late years however is the ability of bird flu viruses to directly infect humans. As of 1997 cases of such illness have been found in different countries across Asia, Europe and Africa. The spread of the virus in birds only adds to the chances of human infections so extra caution is manifested towards this issue. The latest facts point towards a high risk that bird flu viruses can mix with human specific flu viruses to form a new subtype of influenza which can easily be transmitted from person to person, thus creating the potential for an influenza pandemic.

Although experts agree such an outbreak of the highly pathogenic virus is inevitable at some point in the near future, there are several measures to help minimize the global risk risen from this. Prevention measures need to be taken, along with research and development of treatments and vaccines effective in dealing with the infection. A bird flu pandemic is not a certain fact as yet, but evidence suggests it will be very difficult to avoid.