Published: 11th May, 2024
Context
A deadly strain of avian influenza is spreading across the global ocean. Scientists estimate that it has caused the death of tens of millions of poultry and wild birds around the world.
What is Bird Flu?
- Bird flu, or avian flu, is a naturally occurring illness caused by Type A influenza viruses, with the current strain being H5N1.
- It primarily spreads among wild birds like ducks, geese, and gulls, who shed the virus in their saliva, mucus, and feces.
- Domestic poultry, such as chickens and turkeys, are also susceptible to infection.
- Types of Avian Influenza:
- Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) may cause mild symptoms or no illness in domestic poultry.
- Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) causes severe illness and high death rates among infected poultry. In 1997 the HPAI H5N1 virus first emerged in poultry in Hong Kong, and again in China in 2003.
- Impact on Ocean Wildlife:
- The current strain of avian influenza, A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b, has led to mass deaths among wild birds and marine mammals.
- In Peru, over 100,000 birds from 24 species died
- 13 marine mammal species have been affected, with thousands of deaths recorded in countries like Argentina and Peru.
- Human Health Concerns: While humans can be infected with H5N1, such cases are relatively rare, and the risk to the public has been considered low.
UPSC PYQQ: H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following Diseases? (2015)
Solution: (b) |
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