About Bird Flu

• Bird flu, also called avian influenza, is a viral infection that spreads from bird to bird. These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.
• Currently, a particularly deadly strain of bird flu — H5N1 — continues to spread among poultry in Egypt and in certain parts of Asia. The H5N1 virus can cause severe flu with a high mortality rate.
• Avian influenza viruses do not normally infect humans. However, there have been instances of certain highly pathogenic strains causing severe respiratory disease in humans.
• In most cases, the people infected had been in close contact with infected poultry or with objects contaminated by their faeces. When people do become infected, the mortality rate is about 60%. 

Why in News?

• Prohibitory orders were imposed and a one-km radius area was declared a “zero mobility zone” in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar as 50 crows were found dead because of avian influenza.

• H5N1 infection in humans can cause severe disease and has a high mortality rate.
• If the H5N1 virus were to change and become easily transmissible from person to person while retaining its capacity to cause severe disease, the consequences for public health could be very serious.
• In most cases, avian influenza in humans develops into a serious disease that should be treated promptly in the hospital and may require intensive care, where available. 
• The antiviral medicine oseltamivir can reduce the severity of illness and prevent death, and should be used in all cases.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/prohibitory-orders-in-jhalawar-after-crows-die-of-bird-flu/article33465360.ece