What you need to know about H5N1
Posted January 8, 2014 4:18 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
H5N1 is a type of flu virus that causes a highly infectious, severe respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza or the “bird flu.” Human cases of H5N1 avian influenza occur occasionally and can be fatal.
Symptoms of the H5N1 – the avian flu are:
- Fever and cough
- Acute respiratory distress
- Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
In a few cases, a mild eye infection (conjunctivitis) is the only indication of the disease.
Almost all people with H5N1 infection have had close contact with infected live or dead birds or H5N1-contaminated environments.
Health officials say it is difficult to transfer H5N1 from person to person.
The Public Health Agency of Canada is advising those travelling to a region where avian influenza (H5N1) is known to be present take the following steps:
- Avoid all high-risk areas such as poultry farms and live animal markets.
- Ensure that all poultry dishes are well cooked, including eggs.
- Wash your hands frequently or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- See a health care provider if you develop flu-like symptoms while travelling or after you return to Canada.
About 60 per cent of people infected with the virus died from their illness.
