 "What is a Bird Flu or Avian Influenza?")
Bird Flu
What is a Bird Flu or Avian Influenza?
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is an infectious viral disease of birds, especially wild waterfowls such as ducks and geese. It is a viral infection that primarily infects birds, including chicken, other poultry, and wild aquatic birds.
This highly-contagious disease spreads from infected birds to other winged creatures through contact with nasal, and respiratory secretions and also due to contamination of feed and water. Bird flu virus is sensitive to heat, and dies at cooking temperatures.
The first incident of bird flu infection occurred in Hong Kong in 1997.
Bird flu: Why is it in news
Thousands of birds have died due
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Latest Updates on Bird Flu
USDA orders nationwide testing of milk supply for bird flu to halt virus
Raw or unpasteurised milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting December 16
 "USDA orders nationwide testing of milk supply for bird flu to halt virus")
US spots first H5N1 bird flu case in a pig, raising concern for humans
The infection was confirmed in a pig kept on a backyard farm in Crook County, Oregon, the US Department of Agriculture said Wednesday
 "US spots first H5N1 bird flu case in a pig, raising concern for humans")
Odisha govt culls over 11,700 chicken, health dept issues alert on bird flu
After mass deaths of chickens at a local poultry farm in Pipili, culling began on Saturday and was completed on Monday evening
 "Odisha govt culls over 11,700 chicken, health dept issues alert on bird flu")
Culling, surveillance but no vaccine strategy to fight 'bird flu'
Experts said as India falls on the one of main pathways that migratory birds take to move between continents, its water bodies are always prone to the spread of influenza from birds
 "Culling, surveillance but no vaccine strategy to fight 'bird flu'")
Exposure to pigeons can lead to chronic lung diseases: Delhi hospital study
Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram hospital has established a link between prolonged exposure to pigeons and severe lung diseases
 "Exposure to pigeons can lead to chronic lung diseases: Delhi hospital study")
World Bank, animal husbandry dept conduct avian influenza crisis drill
The exercise on June 19-20 in Bhopal brought together 40 participants from various sectors to practice outbreak detection, rapid response strategies, inter-agency coordination for containing bird flu
 "World Bank, animal husbandry dept conduct avian influenza crisis drill")
Two dozen companies working to find bird flu vaccine for cows: US agri secy
Bird flu has infected 90 dairy herds across 12 states since late March, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Three dairy farm workers also have been infected with the virus
 "Two dozen companies working to find bird flu vaccine for cows: US agri secy")
India logs second ever human case of bird flu in Bengal: How to stay safe
A bird flu case of infection in a human being was detected in a four year old in West Bengal. The patient, admitted to a local hospital since February, has been treated and discharged
Mexico death linked to bird flu strain never before seen in humans: WHO
The current risk posed by the H5N2 virus to the general public is low, according to the WHO, which said no further cases were reported after an investigation
 "Mexico death linked to bird flu strain never before seen in humans: WHO")
Centre, states gear up to tackle infectious zoonotic disease outbreaks
Centre sends detailed advisory on bird flu; Kerala government intensifies Nipah prevention efforts
 "Centre, states gear up to tackle infectious zoonotic disease outbreaks")
Centre issues advisory after 4 states report outbreaks of bird flu
The affected states are Andhra Pradesh (Nellore district), Maharashtra (Nagpur district), Jharkhand (Ranchi district) and Kerala (Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts)
US govt nears deal to fund late-stage trial of Moderna's bird flu vaccine
It is expected to total several tens of millions of dollars, and could be accompanied by a commitment to procure doses if the phase-three trials are successful, according to the report
 "US govt nears deal to fund late-stage trial of Moderna's bird flu vaccine")
US, European nations taking steps to vaccinate workers exposed to bird flu
US officials last week said they were moving bulk vaccine from CSL Seqirus that closely matches the current virus into finished shots that could provide 4.8 million doses of vaccine
 "US, European nations taking steps to vaccinate workers exposed to bird flu")
All ground beef samples test negative for H5N1 bird flu virus: USDA
The US Food and Drug Administration said preliminary results of tests on additional dairy products show pasteurization inactivates the bird flu virus
Southern Karnataka on high alert over bird flu reported in Kerala
At present, the situation in Kerala is being monitored before any action can be taken, they said
 "Southern Karnataka on high alert over bird flu reported in Kerala")
US logs second human case of bird flu over contact with sick cow. 10 points
Avian influenza or bird flu usually occurs among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry. Cases of human infection caused by exposure to infected animals are rare and sporadic
 "US logs second human case of bird flu over contact with sick cow. 10 points")
Bird flu takes toll on US industry, 1.35 mn chickens being killed in Ohio
The outbreak that began in early 2022 has been much less severe this year as fewer cases of the virus are being found among the wild birds that spread it
 "Bird flu takes toll on US industry, 1.35 mn chickens being killed in Ohio")
Bird flu reappears in US commercial poultry flocks in Utah, South Dakota
The toll from a 2015 outbreak, deemed the most expensive animal health disaster in US history with over USD 1 billion in costs to the government, was nearly 51 million birds in 15 states
 "Bird flu reappears in US commercial poultry flocks in Utah, South Dakota")
New mutation in bird flu virus shows potential for humans outbreak: Report
Scientists have identified new mutations in avian influenza virus H5N1, which recently infected a man in Chile, and may pose risk of spread in humans
Chile detects 1st human case of avian influenza A (H5N1) bird flu
The latest outbreak of H5N1 virus has killed a record number of birds and also spread to otters, sea lions, foxes, dolphins and seals, among others
 "Chile detects 1st human case of avian influenza A (H5N1) bird flu")
