Causes, incidence, and risk factors The first avian influenza virus to infect humans occurred in Hong Kong

in 1997. The epidemic was linked to chickens and classified as avian influenza A (H5N1).

The following people have a higher risk for developing the bird flu: Farmers and others who work with poultry Travelers visiting affected countries Those who touch an infected bird Those who eat raw or undercooked poultry meat, eggs, or blood from infected birds Health care workers and household contacts of patients with avian influenza may also be at an increased risk of the bird flu.

The avian flu virus (H5N1) has been shown to survive in the environment for long periods of time. Infection may be spread simply by touching contaminated surfaces. Birds who were infected with this flu can continue to release the virus in their feces and saliva for as long as 10 days.

Symptoms Symptoms of avian flu infection in humans depend on the strain of virus. Infection with the H5N1 virus in humans causes typical flu-like symptoms, which might include: -Cough (dry or productive) -Diarrhea -Difficulty breathing -Fever greater than 100.4F (38C) -Headache -Malaise -Muscle aches -Runny nose -Sore throat

Pemeriksaan Penunjang :
Chest x-ray Nasopharyngeal culture White blood cell differential Other tests may be done to look at the functions of your heart, kidneys, and liver.

Treatment Different types of avian flu virus may cause different symptoms. Therefore, treatment may vary. In general, treatment with the antiviral medication oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) may make the disease less severe if you start taking the medicine within 48 hours after your symptoms start. Oseltamivir may also be prescribed for persons who live in the same house as those diagnosed with avian flu. The virus that causes human avian flu appears to be resistant to the antiviral medicines amantadine and rimantadine. Therefore these medications should not be used if an H5N1 outbreak occurs.

Complications: -Acute respiratory distress

-Organ failure
-Pneumonia -Sepsis

Expectations (prognosis) The outlook depends on the severity of infection and the type of avian influenza virus that caused it. Death is possible.