Bird flu, also known as avian flu, is a type of influenza that spreads among birds. It’s deadly to birds and can affect humans and other animals that come in contact with a carrier.
Bird flu is caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. The virus isn’t known to spread via human-to-human contact.
Symptoms of bird flu in humans can include:
- Mild, flu-like symptoms
- Eye inflammation
H5N1 was first discovered in humans in 1997 and has killed nearly 60 percent of those infected. Reports of avian influenza (AI) “bird flu” outbreaks increased globally from 2013–2022.
Bird flu and COVID-19, both are flu-like illnesses with many common and overlapping features, which is why it can be difficult to distinguish between the two.
“Both present with symptoms like fever, body ache, cough, cold and breathlessness. Additionally, bird flu patient may develop encephalopathy (damage to the brain) and confusion. Covid patient often have diarrhoea and loss of sense of smell and taste,” says Dr Jai Mullerpattan, Consultant Pulmonologist, P.D Hinduja Hospital & MRC.
He added, “While avian influenza can have a high mortality rate, it rarely spreads from one human to another. It usually spreads through exposure to sick birds such as poultry. Covid-19, on the contrary, spreads rapidly between human. However, the mortality rate is low around 1-3% globally.”
Dr. Lancelot Pinto, Consultant Pulmonologist, P.D Hinduja Hospital & MRC opines, “Person-to-person spread of bird flu does not occur, and it is predominantly transferred to humans from infected poultry and birds. Bird flu is much more virulent in humans as compared to COVID-19 but is fortunately rare among humans.”
“Oseltamivir is an antiviral that has efficacy against bird flu, while Remdesivir is possibly the only antiviral that may have some effect on SARS-CoV-2.”
“An RT-PCR for avian influenza (bird flu) would be the test of choice for distinguishing the two and should be sent for all patients with respiratory symptoms in areas where outbreaks of bird flu have been detected in poultry or native birds,” he added.
With the many common symptoms, it may be hard to diagnose just based on clinical features. Dr, Mullerpattan says, “History of travel, occupation etc. may provide clues and confirmation by a throat, or nasal swab test would be necessary.”
