Introduction | The Virus | Strains | Antegenic Shift/Drift | Symptoms | H5N1 | Infection | Resevoirs of Infection | Conclusion

Reservoirs of Infection

There are three main ways in which avian influenza is spreaded. According to a United Nations officer, we are only 2 genetic mutations away from a global pandemic. Therefore, everyone should be aware about these routes of which the avian influenza is spreaded so that we can better guard ourselves against the deadly virus.

a) Migratory Birds/Seasonal linked flyways

Migratory birds infected with the avian flu virus may spread this to other places through their droppings during the migrating season. This is the first way in which the avian influenza virus is spreaded from country to country. However, studies suggest that this may not be the fastest and main route in which the virus is spreaded as the migratory paths of birds are seasonal.

b) Illegal poultry trade

Shockingly, this may be one of the fastest way in which the virus can spread in this world of globalisation . In United States , a suspicious cargo was intercepted and poultry from Thailand were found inside. This type of illegal imports happen because poultry products from Thailand are banned as there were cases in which the poultry in Thailand were found to have the H5N1 virus. Therefore, a black market exists for farmers to sell off their poultry in desperation.

c) Habitat of farm animals

Although the avian influenza virus affects pigs, ducks and chickens, only the chickens are the most vulnerable to it as pigs and ducks are known to have a higher resistance to the virus. Therefore, it is deemed necessary to practice species separation. Pigs and ducks should be separated from chickens as chickens are the common host in the avian influenza is spreaded. As migratory birds and turkeys are the most susceptive to the virus, animal health should be monitored at all times. Besides, chicken meat is one of the highest consumption type of meat in the world as most religions do not forbid the consumption of chicken. Therefore, farmers should ensure that the chickens in the farms are always in a good health condition. The utmost important step to prevent a pandemic is to the curb the source of infection – the chickens.