Viruses that cause bird flu occur naturally in wild birds worldwide, but are rarely found in humans. This eMedTV Web page answers the question, "What is bird flu?" in detail, including why it's a concern for humans.
Human infection with the avian flu virus is rare, and is often associated with contact with infected birds. This eMedTV article explains the virus in detail, including the various types and the potential threat posed to humans.
The H5N1 virus does not usually infect people. As this page of the eMedTV library explains, human cases are due to direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. Health officials are monitoring H5N1, however, in case of outbreak.
Many people ask, "How does bird flu spread?" Bird flu spreads when infected birds shed influenza virus in their secretions and feces. This eMedTV article answers the question, "How does bird flu spread?" in detail and explains the risk to humans.
Fever and body aches are common, often mild, bird flu symptoms. However, as this eMedTV segment explains, symptoms of bird flu can also be more life-threatening, including things such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress.
It's rare for humans to contract bird flu, although there is concern over a growing number of cases in Asia. This eMedTV page discusses bird flu in people, explaining how it is transmitted, how a vaccine is being worked on, and more.
A pandemic is a worldwide outbreak of a new virus strain that causes serious illness and spreads easily. This eMedTV article describes a bird flu pandemic in detail, including the stages and phases and when WHO makes the determination.
A pandemic is an infectious disease affecting a large portion of the population of a large region. This eMedTV article offers more information on the definition of this term and provides links to specific examples of this event throughout history.
In order to distinguish between an epidemic and a pandemic, there are six phases that make up pandemic stages. As this eMedTV segment explains, these pandemic stages occur in three separate periods (interpandemic, pandemic alert, and pandemic).
There is no bird flu vaccine available at this time. However, as this eMedTV article explains, there are certain antiviral drugs (such as zanamavir) that may be used to treat this type of flu. This page also discusses current vaccine research.
