Aviar flu: what is there and where are there more cases

Aviar flu is a virus that mainly affects birds, but in rare cases it can be transmitted to humans and cause serious infections. Contagion occurs by direct contact with sick birds or contaminated surfaces. Although rare, its health and economic impact makes it a threat to monitor.

Aviar flu is not a new disease and although it usually affects birds, there are cases in which this virus manages to cross the barrier and reach humans. When that happens, we turn on the alarms.

And, although rare, People infection can be serious. So if you have heard of her, but you still have no clear what you should or if you should worry, here we explain it to you.

What exactly is avian flu?

Imagine a flu, but not the one that leaves us in bed with fever and mucos every winter, but one that lives mainly in birds, especially in wildlife like ducks and geese. This flu is caused by type A influenza virus, which move without causing them much damage … until they reach domestic birds, such as chickens or turkeys.

Some of these strains, such as the dreaded H5N1, are especially aggressive. Not only cause devastating outbreaks on farms, but also have the capacity – although rare – to infect people. And when they do, Symptoms can be much more than a simple cold.

How is it transmitted to humans?

It is not easy to get infected, but it can happen. Most of the time, Humans are infected after a very close contact with sick birds or with contaminated surfaces (yes, even feathers or feces).

For example, farm workers, vendors in poultry markets or people who manipulate raw meat No protection are the ones who are most exposed.

The good news is that the virus is rarely transmitted from person to person. But of course, “rarely” does not mean “never”, and there is the latent risk that worries experts.

How to identify if I have infected?

Symptoms can be confused with a flu common at the beginning: high fever, throat pain, cough … but difficulty breathing, intense muscle pain, conjunctivitis or even vomiting and diarrhea can also appear.

The difference is in the speed with which it can be complicated. Some people develop Pneumonia or respiratory failure in days of days. Therefore, if you have been in contact with sick birds and you feel bad, it is important not to wait and look for medical attention immediately.

What can I do to protect myself?

It is not necessary to panic, but it is convenient to be cautious, especially if you travel or work with birds. Some simple recommendations can make a difference:

• Avoid touching dead or sick birds. Yes, even if they seem “sleeping.”
• No manipules feathers, cages or releases without gloves.
• Kitchen bird and eggs well (They are well cooked, without raw parts).
• Wash your hands with soap and water After being in markets, farms or rural areas.
• And if you are planning a trip to countries where there are recent outbreaks, such as India or parts of the USA,, it is worth especially attentive to health indications.

Is there treatment?

Yes. If detected on time, antiviral medications can be effective. The problem is that many times the diagnosis is late, or people do not have access to proper treatment.

Beyond health: economic and social impact

Avian flu not only affects health, it also shakes the economy. In countries like Mexico, Chicken prices and eggs have stood remarkably this yearpartly because they depend on imports from the US, where millions of birds have been sacrificed. In any case and if you think you could be infected with Aviar flu, remember that with Mapfre health insurance they have medical assistance abroad.

Calculate your price

And it’s not just a matter of money. For many families, especially in rural areas, losing their birds means losing their main source of food and income.

So … should I worry?

The truth is that we are not facing an imminent pandemic, but before a threat that is still there, silent, in the radar. The key is not to ignore it.

Prevent, detect in time, and act with responsibility are our best weapons. And meanwhile, science continues to work – with constant surveillance – to prevent this viruse from making an unexpected leap again.

What you should know …

• Aviar flu is a virus that mainly affects birds, but can be transmitted to humans in rare cases and cause serious infections, especially with strains such as H5N1, and although the transmission from person to person is rare, there is a risk.
• The forms of transmission and prevention include close contact with sick birds or contaminated surfaces, and simple precautions can be taken, such as avoiding dead birds, handling birds with gloves and cooking meat well. Prevention is key, especially for those who work with birds or travel to affected areas.
• Beyond the health impact, the disease causes economic losses, such as the increase in prices of poultry products and the loss of food source and income for many families.