Bird flu is caused by several types of influenza A viruses. It primarily affects wild and domestic birds, but can also infect mammals. VIDEOGRAPHIC
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Avian flu is caused by several types of influenza A viruses.
00:12The most dangerous belong to the H5 or H7 subtypes, such as the H5N1 virus, which can
00:18decimate entire flocks.
00:20The disease first affects migratory wild birds, which contaminate farmed birds with their
00:25saliva and excrement.
00:28The virus then spreads between farms, through droppings, but also through equipment and
00:32vehicles.
00:34Less frequently, it can affect mammals, such as cats and cows, and sometimes humans, although
00:40the risk of contamination for the general population is low.
00:44Most people who contract the virus are agricultural employees in direct contact with infected
00:48animals and not wearing appropriate protective equipment.
00:52Some foods can be contaminated, such as eggs, poultry or cow's milk.
00:57To avoid this, these foods should be well cooked or pasteurised before eating.
01:02Person-to-person transmission is very rare, although a mutation of the virus could make
01:06this easier.
01:08Symptoms in humans include fever, cough, fatigue, sometimes eye irritation, and, in severe forms,
01:16difficulty breathing and sometimes fatal neurological complications.
01:20Antivirals can be used as treatment, and vaccines exist for humans and birds.