Group Project

 Myths surrounding bird flu

Group members

• Swati
• Neha
• Nishtha

Sources

1. http://www.abc.net.au/health/features/stories/2006/02/23/1834266.htm (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) 

2. http://www.birdfluthreat.org/misc/myth.php#2

3. http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/avian_faqs/en/index.html#whyso
4. http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/No-bird-flu-threat-in-the-Capital-Govt/263204/

What is Bird Flu?

According to the WHO (World Health Organisation) Bird Flu is a contagious animal disease caused by viruses that usually infect only birds and less commonly pigs.

Photo: http://www.birdflu-manual.com/bird-flu-manual.com

Myths vs Reality surrounding Bird Flu

Myth: Poultry and poultry products should not be consumed if a bird flu outbreak occurs in your local area.

Reality: Bird flu viruses can be deactivated by cooking foods at a minimum of 70ºC for 10 minutes. Care has to be taken while cooking frozen poultry to ensure the meat is thoroughly cooked, preferably until the juices run clear. Hence there is little reason to avoid the consumption of poultry or eggs. As of now, human bird flu infections have been attributed to close contact with infected birds.

Myth: Bird flu affects only birds

Reality: Scientists cannot predict whether the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus, or bird flu, will develop the necessary genetic characteristics to trigger a human pandemic. However the virus has triggered a series of hypothetical debates. Till now there has been evidence of limited transmission to people from poultry, and very limited transmissibility from one person to another. But more investigation is needed.

Myth: Tamiflu drug can cure bid flu

Reality: Tamiflu or Oseltamivir is an anti-viral drug. It is supposed to increase resistance to the flu virus, but it does not necessarily work as a preventive. It should never be taken without prescription. Scientists are not sure whether it is 100 per cent effective. However, it is thought to relieve the symptoms of bird flu in infected people even though there are side effects like nausea and vomiting.

Myth: The flu vaccine will provide immunity against bird flu.

Reality: Seasonal influenza vaccines are updated annually to target the ever-changing strains of influenza. Because different vaccines are required against different strains of flu virus (even those of the same subtype), the seasonal influenza vaccines can only provide immunity against its own specific strain and not any avian influenza strains. Nonetheless, people who are likely to come into contact with infected or potentially infected birds (poultry workers, cullers etc.) are advised to obtain influenza shots only to ensure a concurrent infection of avian and seasonal influenza does not occur. A simultaneous infection of multiple influenza strains increases the likelihood of virus mutation.

Myth: Antibiotics can help in preventing bird flu

Reality: No, Antibiotics work against bacteria, not virus

Myth: Only eating infected poultry can transfer the virus to human

Reality: No. A close contact with the poultry like the faeces and defeathering of the birds can transmit the virus.

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