AVIAN  INFLUENZA

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Avian Influenza, a great concern,  first occurred in Italy, but has spread around the world. It is an infectious disease caused by strains of the influenza virus.  Avian influenza viruses are easily transported from farm to farm even to new geographical areas by migratory birds and by contaminated people, vehicles, equipment, feed, and cages. Viruses survive for quite long in both low and high temperatures. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recommends vaccination against outbreaks.  Control measures are for all infected or exposed birds, proper disposal of carcasses, quarantining, rigorous disinfection of farms, and the implementation of strict sanitary or biosecurity measures.  Human avian influenza victims usually develop fever, sore throat, cough, severe respiratory distress and viral pneumonia.  The people which are affected are of all ages in different states of health.  There are rapid tests for diagnosing all influenza strains.  Antiviral drugs have limitations, although they are effective in the treatment and prevention of influenza A virus strains. If a new virus subtype occurs, it takes some time to produce a new vaccine that is efficient.

However, with birds the avian influenza virus develops and spreads differently.  All birds can carry this influenza type A virus inside their intestines and distributes it in the environment through bird feces.  These highly contagious forms results in severe epidemics and rapid death.

Avian bird influenza affected Australia in 1997 but, was eradicated.  However, eradication has not been successful in countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia Thailand, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Egypt, China, and Iraq people have died as a result of having been infected with the avian influenza virus.

Help make you community safer and healthier by taking these simple measures: Do not allow your chickens to roam freely, do your part in advising the public not to catch, get near or keep wild birds in captivity.  These simple but very important measures are just a few things you can do to help prevent a catastrophical pandemic. ~Anthony Benjamin~