Bird Flu Symptoms
A Quick Guide To Bird Flu Symptoms
Bird flu symptoms vary depending on whether they are affecting birds or humans, and even with this species split there are different strains, and therefore illnesses, associated. This influenza A virus attacks in different ways, and some signs for sick birds are almost impossible to detect. Bird flu symptoms in captive or domesticated foul can be as slight as ruffled feathers and an unwillingness to leave the roost for a couple of days. This can also effect their egg production, causing a small lapse in personal food supply or in financial gain. The opposite spectrum of bird flu symptoms for our avian friends can wipe out your entire stock hold in as little as three days.
Bird flu is, just as the most common human strains, an airborne virus, and there is no cure. The vaccination process in humans has to do with either severely weakened or completely dead members of the virus, but so often with domesticated fowl there is no warning. The vaccination process is costly for birds, and is often put to the back burner as a last resort. The bird flu virus can be carried within certain wild species of flight birds for years without affecting them at all. This resistance, or immunity, is being testing within the wild population for clues as to a cure. When these infected but immune birds eat with or excrete bodily fluids near birds that have never been exposed to the virus, the detrimental spread begins.
Bird flu symptoms in humans are quite similar to those associated with the most common human strains of the virus. The difference is that the human influenza virus vaccination does not protect from the bird flu. Though bird flu is rare in humans, the recipient will be made ill for up to two weeks. Such ailments as mid to high grade fever, body aches and pains, sore throat, runny rose, headaches, lethargy, and acute cough are to be expected. Bird flu symptoms, much like those associated with any other strain of influenza, can turn into more persistent and dangerous conditions. Pneumonia and dehydration are two of the most common causes for hospitalization and death amongst those who are unprotected and weak.
If you fear that your birds or your family may be suffering from bird flu symptoms, it is important to get to the doctor or vet as soon as you are able. Depending on the severity of the strain which has affected your domestic foul, there may not be a lot of time to fix what’s broken. If you are able to separate your flock until the danger has passed, this might be a good idea. Depending on the number of birds you have, the spread of this virus through shared feed and excrement could be catastrophic.