Bird flu or avian flu is an influenza virus type that normally infects birds. However, it can also infect other animals including pigs. Wild birds are natural hosts to the virus and normally don't get sick from it. But domestic animals such as chickens and turkeys could be severely affected.

Avian flu leads to a respiratory disease found in birds. This is caused by the virus strain the H5N1. There are a number of virus strains that are responsible for flu; the most dangerous among them being the H5N1 strain. The affected birds fall prey to the flu and they die in a matter of a few days.

Because of the rapid spread and highly dangerous nature of the avian flu to birds, millions of flocks have been destroyed throughout the afflicted countries. However, that is simply not working because migratory birds are carrying the avian flu to distant lands, thus spreading its contagion. Interestingly, the migratory birds are not dying like the chickens.

The H5N1 virus has been found to be highly contagious and it can be transmitted to human beings through the contact of excretal or nasal secretions from infected birds. In addition, if the avian flu mutates and joins with a human flu virus, it will be transmitted easily from one person to another. If not detected and treated early, it can become fatal.

Worldwide health organizations have been monitoring the H5N1 avian flu virus since 1997 when the first human cases showed up in Hong Kong. Wild birds spread the avian flu virus, but are unaffected by it, however domesticated birds (chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc.) are devastated by the H5N1 avian flu.

People who come into contact with infected chickens, ducks, or turkeys are more likely to get the virus. There have been a few cases where it was passed human to human. The flu virus can be passed through bird droppings and saliva. It can also live on surfaces such as cages, tractors, and other farm equipment.

The recorded bird flu symptoms among humans include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pains and conjunctivitis. Other kinds of complications for people who contracted these illnesses include eye infections and acute respiratory distress.

Oseltamivir, sold under the brand name Tamiflu, is one of several antiviral medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment and prevention of influenza.Although researchers are trying to come up with a vaccine as fast as possible, further experiments with the genetic coat of the virus are a must for the cure to be efficient.

Antiviral medications used to treat human flu viruses help to reduce the symptoms of bird flu, but it's not yet clear whether these work for the current type of bird flu.

Do you have enough water, food and supplies to last you at least 6 weeks? Or preferably for 3 months? Think about when the flu passes through your community each winter. Do your kids ever get it once and then sometimes again 6 weeks later? It takes a while for a virus to completely work its way through a community. You'll need to be able to survive that entire period from your home.

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