Avian flu Flashcards
(17 cards)
Q1: Which strains of bird flu have caused concern in recent years? A1: H5N1 (since 1997)
H7N9 (since 2013)
Q2: Is there a vaccine available for bird flu? A2: No
there is no bird flu vaccine
Q3: What should you do if you experience symptoms of bird flu after visiting an affected area?
A3: Use NHS 111 online or call NHS 111 for advice.
Q4: How long does it typically take for bird flu symptoms to appear after infection?
A4: Usually 3 to 5 days.
Q5: What are some severe complications that can develop within days of bird flu symptoms appearing?
A5: Pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Q6: What antiviral medicines might be given to someone with bird flu?
A6: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza).
Q7: What tests can be done to confirm bird flu?
A7: A nose and throat swab and testing of phlegm if coughing.
Q8: What should you avoid bringing back to the UK to prevent bird flu?
A8: Live birds, poultry or feathers
Q9: What should you do if you find dead swans, geese, ducks, or other dead wild birds in the UK?
Report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
Q10: What are some signs of bird flu in birds? A10:
Unusual quietness, decreased activity levels, decreased vocalisation, decreased feed and water consumption, and decreased egg production.
What is avian flu?
Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds. In rare cases, it can affect humans.
How bird flu spreads to humans?
Bird flu is spread by close contact with an infected bird (dead or alive).
This includes:
touching infected birds
touching droppings or bedding
killing or preparing infected poultry for cooking
Markets where live birds are sold can also be a source of bird flu. Avoid visiting these markets if you’re travelling to countries that have had an outbreak of bird flu. You can check health advice for the country you’re visiting on the TravelHealthPro website.
You can’t catch bird flu through eating fully cooked poultry or eggs, even in areas with an outbreak of bird flu.
Things you can do to prevent bird flu
If you’re visiting a foreign country that’s had an outbreak you should:
wash your hands often with warm water and soap, especially before and after handling food, in particular raw poultry
use different utensils for cooked and raw meat
make sure meat is cooked until steaming hot
avoid contact with live birds and poultry
What not to do:
do not go near or touch bird droppings or sick or dead birds
do not go to live animal markets or poultry farms
do not bring any live birds or poultry back to the UK, including feathers
do not eat undercooked or raw poultry or duck
do not eat raw eggs
Symptoms?
Symptoms of bird flu in humans
The main symptoms of bird flu can appear very quickly and include:
a very high temperature or feeling hot or shivery
aching muscles
headache
a cough or shortness of breath
Other early symptoms may include:
diarrhoea
sickness
stomach pain
chest pain
bleeding from the nose and gums
conjunctivitis
It usually takes 3 to 5 days for the first symptoms to appear after you’ve been infected.
Within days of symptoms appearing, it’s possible to develop more severe complications such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Getting treatment quickly, using antiviral medicine, may prevent complications and reduce the risk of developing severe illness.
If you’re abroad?
Get medical help straight away if you get the symptoms of bird flu.
Contact your travel insurance company if you need advice about where to get help.
What a doctor can do?
Tell the doctor if you have:
recently travelled to an area affected by bird flu and if you’ve been close (within 1 metre) to live or dead birds
had close contact (touching or speaking distance) with anyone who has a severe respiratory illness
had contact with anyone who died unexpectedly and was from an area that had an outbreak
These tests can be done to confirm bird flu:
a nose and throat swab to see if they contain the virus
if you’re coughing up phlegm this may be tested for the virus
If the tests are normal, it’s unlikely you have bird flu.
Treatment for bird flu?
If it’s thought you might have symptoms of bird flu you’ll be advised to stay at home, or you’ll be cared for in hospital in isolation from other patients.
You may be given an antiviral medicine such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza).
Antiviral medicines help reduce the severity of the condition, prevent complications and improve the chances of survival.
They are also sometimes given to people who have been in close contact with infected birds, or those who have had contact with infected people, for example family or healthcare staff.
