Bird Flu is an infection caused by avian influenza viruses which occur naturally among birds and is normally no threat to them however, in the past few years the influenza viruses among birds have started to mutate.  It is known that wild birds carry the virus all over the world and because the influenza is very contagious it can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, ill which can result in death.

Bird Flu is passed through saliva, nasal secretions, and faeces of the infected bird. Domesticated birds can be come infected through contact with waterfowl or other infected poultry, also Bird Flu can be passed through things as simple as dirt in cages used by infected birds.

 There are two known forms of disease the Bird Flu which are the “low pathogenic” form which may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms like ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production. However the highly pathogenic form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form of Bird Flu affects multiple internal organs and causes death at a rate of 90-100 percent which can occur with the second form of the virus within 48 hours. How then does this affect humans?

The Avian influenza virus refers to influenza A found mostly in birds, but it is known that these viruses can also occur in humans. The risk from avian influenza is usually low because the viruses in their standard form do not usually infect humans. However there have been more confirmed cases of human infection from several subtypes of avian influenza infection since the late 1990's. Many of these cases have usually occurred in people who have direct contact with infected poultry such as domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys or they have had contact with surfaces contaminated with faeces from infected birds. Whilst the spread of Bird Flu viruses from one person to another has been reported, the transmission has not been seen to continue beyond one person. Scientist and the medical community are concerned that it could happen within a very short period of time. Medical concern is that the virus may mutate and if it mutates far enough it could cause a pandemic. Tamiflu is an important drug  designed to fight the battle against Bird Flu problem.