Is There an Avian Influenza Vaccine?
Avian Bird Flu FAQ - Frequently Asked QuestionsNo. Although the capability does exist for scientists to produce vaccines against almost all known human flu viruses, the problem they face with the current threat is that they cannot predict the strain of any new hybrid mutations that may emerge. Once an outbreak occurs that is caused by a new strain, scientists will be able to rapidly identify the new virus and work towards creating a vaccine.
Related QuestionsCan influenza vaccine prevent avian flu?
Influenza vaccine cannot prevent avian influenza as the vaccine was meant for human influenza. However, the vaccine can help reduce the chance of complications and hospitalization from human influenza; hence it is recommended for the elderly and patients with chronic illnesses. Influenza vaccine can also reduce the chance of genetic re-assortment and subsequent emergence of influenza strain with pandemic potential.
Related QuestionsIs there a vaccine for avian influenza?
Frequently Asked Questions — Pandemic Influenza —...the moment, there is no vaccine for people. An H5N1 vaccine is being developed against the current H5N1 viruses. However, as these viruses will have to change to cause a pandemic, this vaccine may not then be effective.
Related QuestionsCan I get a flu vaccine for avian influenza?
Pandemic Influenza - FAQThere currently is no commercially available vaccine to protect humans against the H5N1 virus that is being seen in Asia and Europe. However, vaccine development efforts are taking place. Research studies to test a vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus began in April 2005, and a series of clinical trials is underway. For more information about the H5N1 vaccine development process, visit the National Institutes of Health Web site.
Related QuestionsWhat is Avian Influenza?
Avian influenza : Frequently Asked QuestionsAvian influenza, or "bird flu" or "avian flu" is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens and ducks, very sick and kill them.
Related QuestionsAvian influenza (such as H5N1, H9N2) is a type of influenza A. It was known previously to infect birds only, but 18 human cases caused by the H5N1 strain were documented in Hong Kong in 1997 and another two were documented in 2003.Related Questions
USGS National Wildlife Health Center - Avian Influenza - Fre...Bird flu, the popular name for avian influenza (AI), is a disease primarily found in poultry and wild birds. Avian influenza can infect chickens, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl, as well as migratory waterfowl and shorebirds and, less commonly, mammals (pigs, horses, cats, and marine mammals). The virus can be spread through contact with fecal droppings, saliva, and nasal discharges of infected animals.Related Questions
Avian influenza - commonly called "bird flu" - is an infection caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally in birds. Wild birds can carry the viruses, but usually do not get sick from them, but some domesticated birds, such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys, can become infected, often fatally. One strain of avian influenza, H5N1, is endemic in much of Asia and has recently spread into Europe. Avian H5N1 infections have killed poultry and other birds in a number of countries.Related Questions
Bird Flu FAQ Bird FluAvian influenza, or â??bird fluâ??, is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs. Avian influenza viruses are highly species-specific, but have, on rare occasions, crossed the species barrier to infect humans. In domestic poultry, infection with avian influenza viruses causes two main forms of disease, distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence.Related Questions
San Diego Zoo: Avian Flu - FAQsAvian influenza, commonly called “bird flu,” is an infection caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally in birds. Wild birds can carry the viruses, but usually do not get sick from them, but some domesticated birds, such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys, can become infected, often fatally. One strain of avian influenza, H5N1, is endemic in much of Asia and has recently spread into Europe. Avian H5N1 infections have killed poultry and other birds in a number of countries.Related Questions
Is there a vaccine for avian influenza in humans?
Frequently asked questions about Avian Influenza or Bird fluAnswer: Not yet. It is possible that a vaccine using the H5N1 strain of influenza may give partial protection if that strain changes and spreads more easily among humans. Prototypes of an H5N1 vaccine are being developed by several manufacturers around the world, including Australia’s domestic manufacturer, CSL Limited. The government is committed to buying a substantial amount of H5N1 vaccine as soon as it is proven safe and effective (see Section 3.
Related QuestionsWill normal seasonal influenza vaccine protect me against avian influenza?
EISS - FAQ VaccinationThe normal seasonal influenza vaccine provides protection against currently circulating strains of human influenza. It does not provide protection against avian influenza A(H5N1). In the event of an influenza pandemic, a new vaccine would need to be produced.
Related QuestionsIs there a vaccine against avian influenza (bird flu)?
Traveler's Health & Immunization Center, S.C. - Your Passpor...A vaccine against avian influenza is under development but there is none currently available in the United States.
Related QuestionsWhat are the symptoms of avian influenza?
The initial symptoms of avian influenza are similar to those of other influenza viruses, including fever, headache, muscle pain, runny nose, cough and sore throat. However, it is more likely to result in high fever, chest infection, respiratory failure, multi-organ failure, and death.
Related QuestionsHow is avian influenza transmitted?
Avian influenza is transmitted from infected live birds to humans. Human-to-human transmission is inefficient. Outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry have recently been reported in some Asian and European countries, and some cases of human infection have been reported. Hong Kong has an effective surveillance system for influenza in birds and humans. The Department of Health has been closely monitoring the situation and has adopted appropriate preventive measures to guard against the disease.
Related QuestionsShould hunters be concerned about avian influenza?
USGS National Wildlife Health Center - Avian Influenza - Fre...While currently there are unconfirmed reports of people being infected with H5N1 from dead wild birds, exposure to domestic and wild birds potentially infected with H5N1 should be avoided. There is currently no indication that waterfowl or other wild birds hunted in the United States carry HPAI H5N1. While experts believe the risk to hunters is currently low, scientists cannot guarantee that there is no risk. It is always wise to practice good hygiene when handling or cleaning any wild game.
Related QuestionsWhat is an avian influenza A (H5N1) virus?
Avian Flu Frequently Asked QuestionsInfluenza A (H5N1) virus – also called “H5N1 virus” – is an influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds. It was first isolated from birds (terns) in South Africa in 1961. Like all bird flu viruses, H5N1 virus circulates among birds worldwide, is very contagious among birds, and can be deadly.
Related QuestionsCanadian Food Inspection Agency - Animal Health - Avian Infl...Avian influenza (AI) is a contagious viral infection caused by the influenza virus type "A", which can affect several species of poultry (chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, etc.), as well as pet birds and wild birds.Related Questions
Can people become infected with avian influenza?
Although it is possible for people to become infected with avian influenza, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the virus does not spread easily from animals to humans. There have been confirmed cases of human infection in Asia, but those occurred in association with virus outbreaks in poultry, usually among people who live and work in close quarters with the animals.
Related QuestionsAre there other resources for information on avian influenza?
http://www.pandemicflu.gov - Pandemicflu.gov is the official U.S. government Web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza.
Related QuestionsCanadian Food Inspection Agency - Animal Health - Fact Sheet...Avian influenza (AI) is caused by the influenza virus Type "A", which can affect several species of food producing birds (chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, etc.), as well as pet birds and wild birds. Avian influenza viruses can be classified into two categories: low pathogenic (LPAI) and high pathogenic (HPAI) forms based on the severity of the illness caused in chickens. Most AI viruses are low pathogenic and typically cause little or no clinical signs in infected birds.Related Questions
Is it true that cats can get avian influenza?
Avian influenza - Frequently asked questionsAlthough cats are not usually susceptible to influenza type A infections, results of a research study published in September 20041 demonstrated that domestic cats can become infected with the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus and are capable of transmitting the virus to other cats. In February 2006, authorities in Germany reported that a domestic cat had died from H5N1 HPAI infection.
Related QuestionsCan dogs become infected with avian influenza?
Avian influenza - Frequently asked questionsLike cats, dogs are not usually susceptible to avian influenza (AI) viruses; however, an unpublished study carried out in 2005 by the National Institute of Animal Health in Bangkok indicated that dogs could be infected with the virus. No clinical disease was detected in association with that infection. This limited information is insufficient to determine how susceptible dogs are to the virus.
Related QuestionsAvian Influenza Frequently Asked QuestionsAvian Influenza is a virus that usually affects birds but can infect and cause serious disease among poultry, such as chickens. It is very contagious among birds and can be deadly.Related Questions
