Specific Disease Frequently Asked Questions | Avian Influenza
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What is avian influenza? |
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What are the symptoms of avian influenza in humans? |
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Are there any antiviral agents for avian influenza? |
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Is there potential for an influenza pandemic? |
What is avian influenza?
Type A influenza viruses can infect several animal species, including
birds, pigs, horses, seals and whales. Influenza viruses that infect birds
are called "avian influenza viruses." Birds are an especially
important species because all known subtypes of influenza A viruses circulate
among wild birds, which are considered the natural hosts for influenza
A viruses. Avian influenza viruses do not usually directly infect humans
or circulate among humans.
Avian influenza usually does not make wild birds sick, but
can make domesticated birds very sick and kill them. Avian influenza A
viruses do not usually infect humans; however, several instances of human
infections and outbreaks have been reported since 1997. When such infections
occur, public health authorities monitor the situation closely because
of concerns about the potential for more widespread infection in the human
population.
What are the symptoms of avian
influenza in humans?
The reported symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical
influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches)
to eye infections, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia,
and other severe and life-threatening complications.
Are there any antiviral agents
for avian influenza?
Studies to date suggest that the prescription medications approved for
human influenza strains would be effective in preventing avian influenza
infection in humans.
Is there potential for an influenza
pandemic?
All influenza viruses have the potential to can change. It is possible
that an avian influenza virus could change so that it could infect humans
and could spread easily from person to person. Because these viruses do
not commonly infect humans, there is little or no immune protection against
them in the human population. If an avian virus were able to infect people
and gain the ability to spread easily from person to person, an "influenza
pandemic" could begin.