|
Where Does Bird Flu Get Its Name |
|
|
|
Saturday, 16 June 2007 |
|
Bird flu, also known as Avian influenza is a flu-like infection caused by birds. This virus is a natural virus among the bird population and is seen in birds all over the world. The bird flu virus is carried in the bird’s intestines and although very common, the birds themselves do not normally become sick from it. Birds in the wild do not generally become sick because of this virus but if contracted by domestic birds such as chickens, turkeys and ducks, they can become extremely sick to the point of death.
How is the bird flu virus spread? Bird flu is passed on through a contaminated bird’s saliva, nasal secretions and/or feces. Birds who, are at risk can easily become infected with the bird flu virus if exposed to or come in contact with contaminated excretions or secretions of an infected bird. This does not necessarily mean direct contact. Even if exposed to contaminated surfaces, a bird can be infected with the bird flu virus. Although domestic birds such as ducks, chickens and turkeys do not normally have contact with birds in the wild, they can be infected through contaminated water, feed, other infected poultry, cages, dirt and/or anything in their environment that has been affected by the bird flu virus.When domesticated birds contract the bird flu virus, there are two different routes it can take. Some birds may experience mild symptoms because they have what is called the low pathogenic form of the bird flu. Their symptoms may be as mild as a few ruffled feathers or a decrease in the number of eggs they lay. Often this type of bird flu is undetected because it has such a mild effect on the birds. However in the high pathogenic form, birds become very ill. This form of the bird flu affects the internal organs and often kills the bird within a couple of days. The high pathogenic form of bird flu is highly contagious and spreads very quickly through the bird population, including the domesticated bird population. |
