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Brilio.net - The World Health Organization (WHO) announced cases of bird flu infection in humans on Tuesday (11/6). Infection caused by the H9N2 virus has been detected in a 4 year old child in West Bengal, East India.
Quoting from the Reuters page, WHO provided information that the child had been treated intensively at the local hospital. Before being treated, the child had persistent severe breathing problems, accompanied by a high fever last February.
"The patient was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) at a local hospital due to persistent severe respiratory problems, high fever and abdominal cramps in February," WHO said as reported by brilio.net from Reuters, Thursday (13/6)
Investigating more deeply, the boy was infected by birds at home and in the surrounding environment. So far, no one has reported symptoms of this respiratory disease occurring in their family members. Even though it occurred in India, bird flu is worrying for the whole world. In Indonesia, this virus threatened society 20 years ago.
According to data from the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), bird flu in humans was last reported in 2017 and currently there have been no reported cases of bird flu infecting humans. However, Indonesian people need to increase their vigilance.
Therefore, as a preventive measure against this disease, people need to understand what bird flu is, its causes, and preventive measures that can be implemented at home. The following is a complete review of what bird flu is, its causes , symptoms and how to prevent it, reported by brilio.net from various sources on Thursday (13/6).
What is bird flu?
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Bird flu is a disease caused by infection with the type A influenza virus which is transmitted by birds to humans. This virus infects humans through direct contact with infected birds or surfaces contaminated with this virus.
Most types of bird flu viruses can only attack poultry such as ducks, chickens, geese and birds, and then pass them on to each other. However, types of bird flu such as the H5N1, H7N7, H9N2, H5N6, H6N1, H7N9 and H10N8 viruses can infect humans and other animals, such as cows, goats, rabbits, dogs and cats.
Those at risk of contracting this virus are people who frequently visit unclean poultry markets, travel to areas that have many cases of bird flu, and consume poultry meat such as chicken, duck, pheasant or eggs that are not cooked thoroughly.
Causes of bird flu
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Initially, bird flu only infected birds, both wild and farmed. However, over time it can mutate into several descendants. This virus mutation is what ultimately spreads to humans.
The derivatives include H5N1, H7N7, H9N2, H5N6, H6N1, H7N9, and H10N8. Of these types, only two types of viruses cause outbreaks that result in death, namely H5N1 and H7N9.
This disease is very contagious, especially for people who have direct contact with infected birds. Not only that, transmission of bird flu can also occur through dust or droppings from sick birds, as well as consuming poultry that is not cooked properly.
Bird flu symptoms
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Symptoms of bird flu can vary, from no symptoms to severe symptoms that have the potential to be life-threatening. Some common symptoms experienced by bird flu sufferers are:
- Muscle ache
- Headache
- Runny and blocked nose
- Hard to breathe
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Vomit
- Diarrhea
- Red eyes
- Nosebleed
- Chest pain
- Stomach ache
- Bleeding gums
- Nervous disorders
- Lung infection, respiratory failure, or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- Seizures
Steps to prevent bird flu
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You can watch out for bird flu by taking preventative steps, including:
1. Avoid direct contact with birds infected with type A influenza virus, because this can cause direct transmission to humans.
2. If someone is infected, avoid direct contact with that person as much as possible.
3. Maintain personal hygiene and wash your hands regularly.
4. Before washing your hands, do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth.
5. As much as possible, do not visit unclean poultry markets. When forced to visit, you should wear a mask or other personal protection.
6. Avoid traveling to areas that have a lot of bird flu.
7. Always wear a mask when near poultry. If you have direct contact with poultry in your daily life, don't forget to use a mask. The aim is as a preventive measure to prevent infection with this virus.
8. When cooking poultry such as duck, chicken or bird, make sure it is well and thoroughly cooked.
9. If you have symptoms, immediately go to a health worker.
(brl/mal)
