What is H5N8 bird flu?
What is H5N8 bird flu?
H5N8 is a subtype of the influenza A virus (sometimes called bird flu) and is highly lethal to wild birds and poultry. H5N8 is typically not associated with humans; however, seven people in Russia were found to be infected in 2021.
What is highly pathogenic avian influenza?
Highly pathogenic (HP) avian influenza (AI) (HPAI) is an extremely contagious, multi-organ systemic disease of poultry leading to high mortality, and caused by some H5 and H7 subtypes of type A influenza virus, family Orthomyxoviridae.
What causes HPAI?
The HPAI H5 viruses that have infected birds in the United States have been caused by three subtypes to date: H5N1, H5N2, and H5N8 viruses.
Can humans catch H5N8 bird flu?
No humans have been infected with H5N1, H7N9, H5N6 or H5N8 bird flu in the UK – this includes the type of H5N6 virus recently found in humans in China. Plans are in place to manage any suspected cases.
How is H5N8 transmitted?
The disease is transmitted via contact with an infected bird’s feces, or secretions from its nose, mouth or eyes. Open-air markets, where eggs and birds are sold in crowded and unsanitary conditions, are hotbeds of infection and can spread the disease into the wider community.
Is there a vaccine for H5N8?
A single dose of inactivated oil-emulsion bivalent H5N8/H5N1 vaccine protects chickens against the lethal challenge of both highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2021 Feb;74:101601.
Is avian flu a pandemic?
The highly pathogenic influenza A virus subtype H5N1 is an emerging avian influenza virus that is causing global concern as a potential pandemic threat. It is often referred to simply as “bird flu” or “avian influenza”, even though it is only one of many subtypes.
Is avian influenza A zoonotic disease?
Zoonotic influenza viruses, such as avian or swine influenza, normally spread in animals but can also infect humans. Human infections are primarily acquired through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.
What was the bird flu pandemic?
The first outbreak of human infection by avian influenza viruses (H5N1) was observed in 1997 in Hong Kong. Since then a large number of outbreaks have been reported in different parts of the world. In fact, the spread of avian influenza H5N1 in various species including humans has lead to a current pandemic threat.
How can the bird flu transform into a flu that can infect humans?
Infected birds shed avian influenza virus in their saliva, mucous and feces. Human infections with bird flu viruses can happen when enough virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled.
