Recently there was a hue and cry in  Eastern India specially West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and Assam regarding bird flu. Amid fears that the huge number of deaths of poultry birds in West Bengal is from the avian influenza virus. The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD)  sent a team to the affected districts. The Union Health Ministry issued an advisory to the State to implement a plan to contain the infection. Samples of the dead birds have been sent to the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL). While the final report on confirmation of the H5N1 virus is yet to come, the two-member Central team has been sent to ascertain facts about the reported outbreak. It will meet the State surveillance officers and the rapid response teams and collect samples. Sources in the Department of Animal Husbandry here said that as a precautionary measure trading in and movement of poultry birds in the affected districts  have been restricted.

What is Avian or Bird Flu:- Avian influenza is currently making many different types of birds in Asia sick. There are several different types of avian influenza and most types are found in birds. Avian influenza is often found in birds and is not easily spread from birds to people. The type found in birds in Asia right now has spread to a few people, but has not spread from person to person. There is concern about this type of avian influenza because it is a type of influenza that has caused serious illness in people in the past. The influenza virus changes all the time so there is also worry if this type of avian influenza ever changed so that it could spread person to person, many people would become ill.

Why is there concern about Avian Influenza:- The strain of avian influenza causing concern in Asia is referred to as the H5N1 strain. It is a severe strain of influenza. Public health officials are worried about this strain because it has caused illness and death in many birds and  has spread to humans. This strain is also a new genetic in birds and if it continues to change and has never been seen before. If it ever spreads easily from person to person, it could cause disease all over the world.

Where is avian influenza right now:- H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in Asia, specifically in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia. As of fall 2005 there have been over approximately 100 confirmed human cases due to the H5N1 strain and about 60 deaths.

How avian influenza spreads to humans and other animals:- Avian influenza strains do not typically spread easily from birds to humans. From past highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks, and during the current H5N1 outbreak in  Asia, it has been repeatedly shown that the H5N1 strain has the ability to infect humans when a person has close contact with infected or ill birds, visiting a live animal markets, or consuming bird blood or bird meat that is not completely cooked. The H5N1 strain has also infected cats and tigers in close direct contact with infected or ill birds or if they have been fed raw infected bird meat. Most avian influenza strains are spread among birds, not other animals. Possible human-to-human spread has only been noted in one case during the current H5N1 outbreak in Asia.  Persons who have traveled to Asia are not likely to be exposed or infected with avian influenza unless there is significant contact with ill or dying birds.

What is the difference between avian influenza and other types of influenza:- Avian influenza typically only infects different types of birds. In the past, humans have only been infected with strains of avian influenza and experienced very mild illness such as eye infections, and no human-to-human spread. Other types of influenza, like the types covered by the influenza vaccine, infect people or animals or both. Influenza is a widespread disease that causes illness in many people every year.

Is there a vaccine for Avian Influenza:- Currently, there is not a vaccine for humans to protect against avian influenza. Many researchers and scientists are working with  on a vaccine that is safe and will protect people from the H5N1 strain of influenza.

Are there other treatments for avian influenza besides the vaccine:- Yes. Some antiviral medications can be used to treat humans infected with the H5N1 avian influenza strain. This medication must be started within 48 hours after the start of symptoms to work. However there is no guarantee that this medication will work if avian influenza spreads.

Can avian influenza cause “the next epidemic”:- Avian influenza may or may not cause “the next epidemic”. Scientific research has shown that the three epidemics that occurred during the 20th century (1918 Spanish Flu, 1957 Asian Flu, and 1968 Hong Kong Flu) were due to changes of avian and human influenza genes. Public health experts are of the view that the H5N1 strain of avian influenza currently in Asia has the ability to change and possibly cause a epidemic.