Avian Influenza 

About Avian Bird Flu

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Avian Influenza Synonyms: AI, flu, influenza, fowl plague
Species affected: Avian influenza can occur in most, if not all, species of birds.
Clinical signs: Avian influenza is categorized as mild or highly pathogenic.
Mild Form Symptoms:
Listlessness
Loss of Appetite
Respiratory Distress
Diarrhea
Short periods of loss in egg production
Low Mortality
Highly Pathogenic Form Symptoms:
Facial swelling
Blue comb and wattles
​Loss of appetite
Dehydration
Respiratory Distress
Diarrhea
Short periods of loss in egg production
Dark red/white spots develop on the combs and legs of chickens
Blood tinged discharge from the nostrils
​Low to 100% mortality
"Sudden exertion adds to the total mortality. Egg production and hatchability decreases. There can be an increase in production of soft-shelled and shell-less eggs" (seeTable 1 ).

Transmission: The avian influenza virus can remain viable for long periods of time at moderate temperatures and can live indefinitely in frozen material. As a result, the disease can be spread through improper disposal of infected carcasses and manure. Avian influenza can be spread by contaminated shoes, clothing, crates, and other equipment. Insects and rodents may mechanically carry the virus from infected to susceptible poultry.

Treatment: There is no effective treatment for avian influenza. With the mild form of the disease, good husbandry, proper nutrition, and broad spectrum antibiotics may reduce losses from secondary infections. Recovered flocks continue to shed the virus. Vaccines may only be used with special permit.

Prevention: A vaccination program used in conjunction with a strict quarantine has been used to control mild forms of the disease. With the more lethal forms, strict quarantine and rapid destruction of all infected flocks remains the only effective method of stopping an avian influenza outbreak. If you suspect you may have Avian Influenza in your flock, even the mild form, you must report it to the state veterinarian's office. A proper diagnosis of avian influenza is essential. Aggressive action is recommended even for milder infections as this virus has the ability to readily mutate to a more pathogenic form (G. D. Butcher, a. 2018).

How Avian Influenza Affects Humans

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​There are two types of Avian Flu (poultry disease caused by viruses) that chickens can get.  There are different types of type A influenza viruses. Usually carried by wild birds to domestic flocks. 
Domestic poultry may be infected with one of two types of avian influenza viruses:

  1.  Highly pathogenic viruses spread quickly and may kill nearly an entire poultry flock within 48 hours.
  2. Low pathogenic viruses cause only mild symptoms in chickens (such as ruffled feathers or a drop in egg production).
Can humans contract Avian Influenza?
These avian influenza viruses usually do not infect humans and there have been no reported cases in the United States. 
Possible ways that Poultry workers and others could contract Avian influenza
  • Contact with infected poultry
  • Contaminated surfaces
People most likely to contract Avian influenza
  • Poultry growers and their workers
  • Service technicians of poultry processing companies
  • Caretakers
  • Layer barn workers, and chick workers at egg production facilities
  • Workers involved in disease control and eradication (including Federal, contract, and company workers)
Symptoms of Avian Flu in chickens
  • Ruffled feather's
  • Drop in egg production
Symptoms of bird flu in humans are:
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Muscle aches
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea (Mayo Clinic, 2018).

Treatment For Avian Influenza

Recent studies showed that fresh charcoal ash and slaked lime were used to effectively get rid of Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease in chickens. Find out how it's done:

Related Topics

References: ​
1.  G. D. Butcher, a. (2018). PS47/PS044: Common Poultry Diseases . Edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Retrieved 26 April 2018, from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044#TABLE_1
​2. Bird flu (avian influenza) - Symptoms and causes. (2018). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 26 April 2018, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bird-flu/symptoms-causes/syc-20368455