Highly pathogenic avian influenza

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is an acute, rapidly transmitted by contact viral disease of birds, characterized by damage to the respiratory, digestive, central NERVOUS SYSTEM and mortality up to 70-100%

All species of domestic and wild birds are susceptible to the disease. Influenza occurs at any time of the year, but most outbreaks in poultry occur through contact with migratory wild birds in open water. There is a possibility of infection from sick birds and human influenza.

Sources of the causative agent of the disease, ways of infection and spread. The main source of the pathogen is a sick and recovered bird, which releases the virus with expiration from the respiratory tract, eyes and droppings.
Infection occurs through the air by airborne droplets and dust when the sick and healthy birds are kept together, as well as through feed, water, bedding, contaminated with droppings and other secretions of a sick bird.
Dissemination of the influenza virus occurs during the migration of migratory birds, as well as during the import of contaminated feed, eggs, MEAT and other poultry products. The virus is mechanically transmitted with clothes and shoes of people, cars.

Signs of the manifestation of the disease. The disease in a sick bird manifests itself in respiratory, intestinal, nervous and mixed (respiratory-intestinal-nervous) forms.
The first signal signs of influenza are a decrease in egg production and the bird falling into a depressed state and drowsiness.
In the respiratory form, there is difficulty breathing, sneezing, expiration of mucus from the beak in the form of threads, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes, an increase in body temperature up to 44 ° C, swelling in the HEAD, neck, chest and larynx. The manifestation of edema is considered a characteristic symptom of avian influenza.
In the intestinal form of influenza in sick birds, the main symptom is diarrhea.
The nervous form of avian influenza is characterized by unusual movements of the bird (turning the head, circular and arena movements), partial paralysis of the wings or legs.
With a mixed form of the manifestation of influenza in a sick bird, clinical symptoms noted in the respiratory, intestinal and nervous forms can simultaneously develop.
In a bird (ducks, geese) with influenza, unusual behavior, discoordination of movements (rotational movement of the head, curvature of the neck), lack of response to external stimuli and depression are noted

Measures to prevent bird disease and the spread of the disease. Individuals and legal entities that have a bird in their possession, in order to prevent its infection with highly pathogenic influenza, must take the following measures:

1. to prevent contact of poultry with wild birds, especially waterfowl, it is prohibited to graze and walk poultry outside the territory of a personal farmstead until further notice;
2. do not allow birds with unknown epizootic status to enter the territory of the poultry enterprise and personal farmstead;
3. assign permanent staff to care for the birds and monitor the clinical condition and movement of the birds;
4. place each age group of birds in geographically separate premises;
5. observe inter-cycle preventive breaks;
6. thoroughly clean and disinfect rooms, cages and equipment.

If signs of disease similar to those described above occur, unusual behavior or death of the bird, the owner is obliged to immediately inform the veterinary specialist serving the territory assigned to him, and without waiting for special instructions, close access to unauthorized persons, stop the transfer or sale of birds, eggs and other poultry products, removal of fodder, inventory, equipment, litter from the farm.

In some cases, human infection is possible when eating meat and eggs of sick birds without sufficient heat treatment.

The discharge of infected birds is dangerous, which, getting on plants, into the air, into water, can infect a person through water when drinking and bathing, as well as through airborne droplets, airborne dust and through dirty hands. It should be remembered that at sub-zero temperatures, the bird flu virus persists, but heating to a temperature of + 70 ° C kills it in a few minutes.

Symptoms of avian influenza in humans. When infected, it can take from several hours to 5 days before the first signs of the disease. The disease of bird flu begins acutely with chills, fever up to 38 ° C and above, muscle and headaches, sore throat. Possible watery loose stools, repeated vomiting. The condition is rapidly deteriorating. After 23 days, a wet cough appears, often with an admixture of blood, shortness of breath. Then there may be difficulty in breathing. Possible damage to the liver, kidneys and brain.
When the first signs of the disease appear, it is necessary to urgently consult a DOCTOR to establish a diagnosis and prescribe adequate and timely treatment, since a late start of treatment inevitably leads to the development of complications.

Personal hygiene and safety measures. In connection with the likely possibility of avian influenza, it is necessary to observe your own precautions:
1) when starting to work with a bird, change outer clothing for special clothing (robes, trousers, boots, caps, rubber gloves, cotton-gauze masks, goggles);
2) use personal hygiene products (soap, towel and disinfectant solutions).
The serving person of poultry enterprises must comply with the sanitary and hygienic regime of the enterprise.
At the end of the working day, you need to change your overalls and carefully treat your hands with a disinfectant solution, then wash them well with warm water and soap.