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Description Avian flu means "flu from viruses adapted to birds".

"Bird flu" is a phrase similar to "Pig flu", "Dog flu", "Horse flu", or "Human flu" in that it refers to an illness caused by any of many different strains of flu viruses such that the strain in question has adapted to the host. "Avian flu" differs in being named after an entire vertebrate class with 8,800 10,200 species. All known avian flu viruses belong to the species of virus called Influenza A virus. All subtypes of Influenza A virus are adapted to birds, which is why for many purposes avian flu virus is the Influenza A virus (note that the "A" does not stand for "avian").Adaptation is sometimes partial or multiple so a flu virus strain can be partially adapted to a species or adapted to more than one species. Flu pandemic viruses are human adapted and also bird adapted. Being adapted to one species does not mean another species can not catch it; nor does it mean it can not adapt to another species. What are the symptoms of avian flu? Symptoms of avian flu in humans have been reported to be similar to those of normal flu symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, runny nose, cough, and sore throat. Additional symptoms of diarrhea and shortness of breath have been reported to occur more frequently in avian flu than with other human flu viruses. Causes Migratory waterfowl, and ducks in particular, carry the viruses that cause bird flu. Often unaffected themselves, the host birds spread the infection to susceptible species, especially domesticated chickens, turkeys and geese, resulting in severe epidemics that sicken and kill large numbers of birds sometimes in a single day.Avian viruses generally don't affect humans, but in 1997, an outbreak of bird flu in Hong Kong infected 18 people, six of whom died. Most were traced to contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated by sick birds.Often, flu viruses that cross from animals to humans originate in areas where people live in proximity to chickens and pigs. That's because pigs are susceptible to infection with both avian and human viruses and so are an ideal "mixing bowl" in which viruses can exchange genes.But at least some bird flu viruses don't need a third party. Instead, they shuffle and rearrange their genetic material directly in humans. That seems to be the case in most instances of human-acquired bird flu. People become sick after direct contact with infected birds or bird-contaminated surfaces, not from contact with pigs or other animals. Prevention Following simple preventive steps will help keep all of us healthy from normal flu and many other illnesses in our communities. In general, it is important to avoid close contact with people who are sick and to stay home when you are sick. Washing your hands thoroughly and often; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze will also help protect you and reduce the spread of disease.

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