What are the risks to humans from the current HPAI outbreak in other countries?
BirdFlu.am - Get the facts - Stay healthyHumans can become infected with avian influenza from direct or close contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected wild birds or domestic poultry. Because all influenza viruses have the ability to change, scientists are concerned that HPAI virus one day could be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to another, in which case the pandemic threat will be inevitable.
Related QuestionsWhy does the current bird flu outbreak pose a risk for becoming a pandemic flu outbreak in humans?
NAVNew human flu viruses can arise from bird flu viruses that then change to a form that can infect humans and spread readily from person to person. Current bird flu outbreaks in Asia, Europe and Africa are caused by a type of flu virus called "H5N1." Human infections and deaths due to the H5N1 virus have occurred, although the virus has at this time not developed the ability to pass easily from person to person and cause outbreaks in humans.
Related QuestionsWhat are the risks to humans from the current H5N1 outbreak?
VIASYS Healthcare, Inc. - Key Facts on Pandemic PreparednessH5N1 virus does not usually infect people, but more than 200 human cases have been reported. Most of these cases have occurred from direct or close contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces; however, a few cases of human-to-human spread of H5N1 virus have occurred. So far, spread of H5N1 virus from person to person has been rare and has not continued beyond one person.
Related QuestionsWhat are the Risks to Humans?
West Nile Virus FAQsAbout one in five people infected by the virus develop West Nile fever, a typically mild illness that causes fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache and joint pain. These persons recover fully and do not require hospital care. A smaller number of infected persons, 1%, develop encephalitis or meningitis with symptoms of high fever, neck stiffness, confusion, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis.
Related QuestionsWhat are the HPAI symptoms in humans?
BirdFlu.am - Get the facts - Stay healthyThe symptoms of HPAI in humans are very similar to other forms of influenza: fever, cough, muscle aches and pains, conjunctivitis, digestive and respiratory disorders.
Related QuestionsWhat countries have confirmed the presence of HPAI H5N1?
USGS National Wildlife Health Center - Avian Influenza - Fre...Between November 2003 and March 2004, HPAI H5N1 spread to at least nine countries in Southeast Asia, causing huge losses of poultry, widespread economic loss and some loss of human life. By August 2005, bird flu outbreaks, mainly in domestic poultry, were reported in eight territories and republics in Russia; up to five provinces in Kazakhstan; Hosvgol, Mongolia; and Lhasa, Tibet. In the fall of 2005, this new strain was detected in Turkey, Romania, Croatia, and parts of European Russia.
Related QuestionsWhat countries have reported cases of HPAI?
BirdFlu.am - Get the facts - Stay healthyMore than 50 countries have reported confirmed cases of HPAI in either wild birds or domestic poultry. Eleven countries have reported a total of 291 confirmed cases of HPAI in humans resulting in 172 deaths as of April, 2007. More than 80% of both human cases and deaths have occurred in the four countries of Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and China (WHO, April 2007).
Related QuestionsHow does HPAI differ from influenza that affects humans?
Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Animal Health - Avian Infl...Avian flu viruses, while quite contagious within bird populations, do not usually infect humans. While there are cases of transmission to humans, the incidents are rare and typically only occur when people are in direct contact with flocks of infected birds. More information about Avian Influenza and human health implications can be found here:
Related QuestionsCan wild birds transmit HPAI to humans?
BirdFlu.am - Get the facts - Stay healthyTransmission of HPAI through the handling of dead wild birds or their parts, such as feathers, is possible. Most human cases of HPAI have occurred in rural or peri-urban areas where many households keep small domestic poultry flocks. The HPAI virus is most often transmitted to humans through exposure during slaughter, defeathering, butchering and preparation of domestic poultry for cooking.
Related QuestionsIs there a vaccine to protect humans from HPAI virus?
BirdFlu.am - Get the facts - Stay healthyThere currently is no commercially available vaccine to protect humans against the HPAI virus that is being detected in Asia and Europe. However, vaccine development efforts are taking place. Research studies to test a vaccine that will protect humans began in April 2005, and a series of clinical trials is now underway.
Related QuestionsWhich countries are likely to be affected by an Avian Flu outbreak?
Avian Bird Flu FAQ - Frequently Asked QuestionsShould a Pandemic occur it is likely that cases will surface all over the world with very few countries escaping the bird flu threat. Unfortunately, modern travel could help facilitate the rapid spread of the virus. Since noticeable symptoms in humans may take 2 or 3 days to emerge, an infected person may unwittingly carry the virus overseas and spread it to many other people before realizing they are themselves infected.
Related QuestionsWhy is there concern about the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in Asia and other countries?
Frequently Asked Questions About Pandemic InfluenzaAlthough it is unpredictable when the next pandemic will occur and what strain may cause it, the continued and expanded spread of a highly pathogenic—and now endemic—avian H5N1 virus across eastern Asia and other countries represents a significant threat. Avian H5N1 influenza infection in humans was first recognized in 1997 when this virus infected 18 people in Hong Kong, causing 6 deaths.
Related QuestionsPandemic Influenza Frequently Asked QuestionsAlthough it is unpredictable when the next pandemic will occur, and what strain of flu virus will cause it, the continued and expanded spread of a severe form of avian influenza in birds across eastern Asia and into a few countries in Europe represents a significant threat.Related Questions
What risks are associated with current gene therapy trials in humans?
Questions and Answers About Gene TherapyViruses usually can infect more than one type of cell. Thus, when viral vectors are used to carry genes into the body, they might alter more than the intended cells. Also, whenever a gene is added to DNA, there is the danger that the new gene could be inserted in the wrong place, possibly causing cancer or other damage.
Related QuestionsWhat are the HPAI viruses?
Avian Flu: Frequently Asked Questions - Shenyang, ChinaThere are many different subtypes of type A influenza viruses. These subtypes differ because of certain proteins on the surface of the influenza A virus (hemmaglutinin HA and neuraminidinase NA proteins). There are 16 different HA subtypes and nine different NA subtypes of influenza A viruses. Each combination is a different subtype. All known subtypes of influenza A viruses can be found in birds. To date only the H5 and H7 subtypes are known to cause the highly pathogenic form of the disease.
Related QuestionsHow might HPAI be spread?
Avian Flu: Frequently Asked Questions - Shenyang, ChinaWild waterfowl are the natural reservoir of all influenza A viruses. They have probably carried influenza viruses, including H5 and H7 subtypes in the low pathogenic form with no apparent harm for centuries. Evidence now suggests that migratory birds can introduce low pathogenic H5 and H7 viruses into poultry flocks and these then mutate to the highly pathogenic form.
Related QuestionsWhat is USDA doing to avoid an HPAI outbreak in the United States?
APHIS | NewsTo prevent HPAI from being introduced into the United States, USDA requires that all imported birds (poultry, pet birds, bird exhibited at zoos, and ratites) be quarantined and tested for this virus before entering the country. In addition to international import restrictions, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and State veterinarians specially trained to diagnose foreign animal diseases regularly conduct field investigations of suspicious disease conditions.
Related QuestionsWhat is the current threat assessment? Who are likely countries to obtain and use the virus?
Frequently Asked QuestionsTerrorists or governments hostile to the United States may have, or could obtain, some of the variola virus that causes smallpox disease. If so, these adversaries could use it as a biological weapon. This potential along with an appreciation for the potentially devastating consequences of a smallpox attack, suggests that we should take prudent steps to prepare our critical responders to protect the American public should an attack occur.
Related QuestionsWho is investigating the current outbreak?
Bodybuilding.com - Daniel Gastelu - Spinach - E. Coli Outbre...FDA continues to work closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local health departments to determine the cause and scope of this outbreak.
Related QuestionsWhat are the risks?
Miller-Dwan Medical CenterThere are minimal risks to using BOTOX® when administered by competent professional staff. There is some chance of being allergic, but there have been no reported allergies to BOTOX® in over 30 years of usage. There is always the chance of a small blood clot and/or infection occurring from the needle stick, which in our experience has never occurred (1,000s of injections).
Related QuestionsChiropractic Frequently Asked QuestionsAny health care procedure carries some risks; compared to even the risk of taking aspirin, the procedures used by doctors of chiropractic are very safe. Recent medical research has linked a particular chiropractic treatment, in extremely rare cases, with stroke.Related Questions
Surrey Alert Public Info -In a severe heatwave you may get dehydrated and your body may overheat, leading to heat exhustion or heatstroke.Both need urgent treatment. The symptons of heat exhustion include headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness or cramps, pale skin and a high temperature.Related Questions
