Avian Influenza A (H5N1)

News: Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a poultry farm in Hokkaido.

About Avian Influenza A (H5N1)

• Avian influenza is a type A influenza virus of the genus Alphainfluenzavirus of the family Orthomyxoviridae.
• It is a single-stranded RNA virus with a genome consisting of eight negative-sense RNA segments.
• It is a highly infectious influenza virus that primarily infects birds but can also affect mammals, including humans in rare cases.
• Origin: It first emerged in 1996 in China and since 2020, it has been reported across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, and mainland Antarctica. 
• Transmission: Humans are infected by close contact with infected birds and other animals and contaminated environments.
  • The virus does not transmit easily from person to person.
• Symptoms: It infects upper respiratory tract and lungs and sometimes spreads to other parts of body.
  • Symptoms may include eye redness (conjunctivitis), mild fever, cough, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, muscle aches, headache, and fatigue.
• Prevention: Infection can be prevented by avoiding direct contact with wild birds, poultry, or livestock that appear sick or dead.