Bird Flu Overview
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a viral infection that primarily affects birds but can occasionally infect humans and other animals. Caused by influenza type A viruses, bird flu has several strains, with H5N1 and H7N9 being the most concerning for human health.
While human cases of this flu are rare, they can be severe or fatal. Most infections occur after close contact with infected poultry, wild birds, or contaminated environments, such as live bird markets. There is no sustained human-to-human transmission, but experts fear that mutations in the virus could change that, leading to a global pandemic.
Symptoms of bird flu in humans can vary from mild to severe and typically include:
- High fever
- Cough and sore throat
- Muscle aches
- Shortness of breath
- Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
- Diarrhoea, nausea, or abdominal pain
- Severe cases may develop pneumonia, multi-organ failure, or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
In many cases, this condition has a rapid onset and progression, requiring hospitalisation and urgent antiviral treatment.
In South Africa, this condition primarily affects the poultry industry, leading to culling of birds, egg shortages, and economic losses. While human infections are extremely rare, outbreaks in birds can raise the risk of zoonotic spillover, particularly for farmers, abattoir workers, and those handling live poultry.
The first human cases of bird flu were identified in Hong Kong in 1997, linked to the H5N1 strain. Since then, sporadic outbreaks have occurred across Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa and Europe.
Key facts:
- Most cases involve direct contact with sick birds.
- Eating properly cooked poultry or eggs does not spread the virus.
- Wild migratory birds are natural reservoirs and may spread the virus to domestic poultry.
While bird flu in humans is rare, its high fatality rate (up to 60% in some strains) makes it a serious public health concern.
👉 [Next: Causes and Transmission of Bird Flu]
