Avian influenza resurfaces in Nigeria! Bird Flu Again?

Bird Flu in Plateau!

Presently in Plateau States over 20,000 birds had been confirmed died in the current bird flu around the State. The bird flu started in Jos south since the beginning of the year. The state government is appealing to farmers not to sell the dead birds to the public.

However the affected farmers said government should be ready to compensate them for the lost of their birds.

Logically that is the only way to stop the sales of these infected birds to the general public. According to the report a farm lost close to 10,000 birds.

What is Avian Flu?

Avian influenza refers to infection of birds with avian influenza Type A viruses. These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Wild aquatic birds can be infected with avian influenza A viruses in their intestines and respiratory tract, but usually do not get sick. However, avian influenza A viruses are very contagious among birds and some of these viruses can sicken and even kill certain domesticated bird species including chickens, ducks, and turkeys.

Infected birds can shed avian influenza A viruses in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with the virus as it is shed by infected birds. They also can become infected through contact with surfaces that are contaminated with virus from infected birds.

Avian influenza A viruses are classified into the following two categories: low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) A viruses, and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A viruses

Avian influenza outbreaks are of concern in domesticated birds for several reasons:

• the potential for low pathogenic H5 and H7 viruses to evolve into highly pathogenic viruses

• the potential for rapid spread and significant illness and death among poultry during outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza

• the economic impact and trade restrictions from a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak

• the possibility that avian influenza A viruses could be transmitted to humans.

Source

http://emobileclinic.com/2016/01/20/avian-flu-again/