Page 44 2024 Fall Farm Outlook Lincoln Daily News Oct 2024 Avian Flu What to know What is Avian Flu? First of all, the good news is that most strains do not affect humans, except in certain rare cases. The bad news is that it is usually deadly to birds and poultry. The Avian flu, or bird flu is caused by influenza type A virus infections in bird species. Birds can show no symptoms to showing mild, or serious or can lead to sudden death. Flu virus particles are spread through saliva, mucus, stool, and breathing, as well as if a human touches an object with flu particles and in turn touches their own eyes, nose, or mouth. Even though the bird flu rarely affects humans, the worry by officials is that over time the virus that affects the bird population can change, or mutate, to eventually affect humans by spreading from human to human. This would be considered a new virus to humans and a mutated strain could spread quickly around the world, much like the Covid virus did. However, knowledge is power, and you can protect yourself by being conscience of this virus, keeping yourself and the location of the birds clean, and educating yourself and any other person that comes into direct contact with you or the bird's bedding, or waste from the birds. People who usually catch the bird flu virus or a form of it usually have a close, long-term relationship with live, domesticated poultry from a farm or backyard hobby. The symptoms in a person usually show up within seven days of contact and can be from mild to serious. These symptoms are as common as human flu viruses, and you will have to have a specific test to show a bird flu infection. You should plan to see a doctor if you have or think you have been exposed to bird flu if your work or hobbies revolve around birds or poultry. It is especially important to tell your doctor about why and how you think you may have contracted the virus. Keeping yourself safe from any virus is common sense by keeping things clean, washing your hands, using protective clothing, and educating yourself. Although, there are times when we can still catch a virus regardless of how clean we are or how many times we wash our hands. In this case, having a relationship with your healthcare provider, and keeping yourself educated with reputable medical outlets (such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC), not just googling on the internet) is one of the best preventions to any virus or bacteria that is lingering around. CDC has listed some of the following protective actions that can be taken to reduce your chance of getting or spreading this virus. • Protective actions around wild birds Avoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance, if possible. Learn more.
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