Bird flu

Bird flu is caused by several types of influenza A viruses. It primarily affects wild and domestic birds, but can also infect mammals.  VIDEOGRAPHIC

Transcript

00:00Avian flu is caused by several types of influenza A viruses.

00:12The most dangerous belong to the H5 or H7 subtypes, such as the H5N1 virus, which can

00:18decimate entire flocks.

00:20The disease first affects migratory wild birds, which contaminate farmed birds with their

00:25saliva and excrement.

00:28The virus then spreads between farms, through droppings, but also through equipment and

00:32vehicles.

00:34Less frequently, it can affect mammals, such as cats and cows, and sometimes humans, although

00:40the risk of contamination for the general population is low.

00:44Most people who contract the virus are agricultural employees in direct contact with infected

00:48animals and not wearing appropriate protective equipment.

00:52Some foods can be contaminated, such as eggs, poultry or cow's milk.

00:57To avoid this, these foods should be well cooked or pasteurised before eating.

01:02Person-to-person transmission is very rare, although a mutation of the virus could make

01:06this easier.

01:08Symptoms in humans include fever, cough, fatigue, sometimes eye irritation, and, in severe forms,

01:16difficulty breathing and sometimes fatal neurological complications.

01:20Antivirals can be used as treatment, and vaccines exist for humans and birds.