2. Introduction…
• H5N1, is a subtype of the influenza A virus
• A bird-adapted strain of H5N1, called HPAI
A(H5N1) for highly pathogenic avian
influenza virus of type A of subtype H5N1, is
the highly pathogenic causative agent of H5N1
flu, commonly known as bird flu
3. • A risk factor is handling of infected poultry
• H5N1 may mutate or reassort into a strain
capable of efficient human-to-human
transmission
• There is as yet no human form of H5N1, so all
have caught avian H5N1 only
4. Etiology…
• Almost all cases of H5N1 infection in people
have been associated with close contact with
infected live or dead birds, or H5N1-contaminated
environments.
• The virus does not infect humans easily, and
spread from person to person appears to be
unusual.
• There is no evidence that the disease can be
spread to people through properly prepared and
thoroughly cooked food
5.
6. Pathogenisis…
• The avian influenza hemagglutinin binds alpha 2-3
sialic acid receptors
• It will replicate in the lower respiratory tract, and
consequently will cause viral pneumonia.
Complications:
• Pneumonia
• Respiratory failure
• Shock
• Altered mental state
• Seizures
• Failure of multiple organs (e.g. kidney failure)
• Death
8. Diagnosis…
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has
approved a test designed to identify avian
influenza.
• The test is called Influenza AVirus Real-time RT-
PCR Primer and Probe Set. It can offer preliminary
results in only four hours. Unfortunately, the test is
not widely available.
The following tests may also be performed:
• white blood cell differential
• nasopharyngeal culture
• chest X-ray
• Additional tests can be done to ascertain
functioning of your heart, kidneys, and liver
9. Treatment:
• In most cases, treatment with antiviral medication such as
oseltamivir or zanamivir can help reduce the severity of the
disease.
• However, the medication must be given within 48 hours after
the first symptoms appear.
• Family members might also be prescribed Tamiflu as a
prophylactic measure, even if they are not sick.
• The virus have developed a resistance to the two most common
forms of antiviral medications—amantadine and rimantadine.
These medications should not be used to treat the disease.
• If severe infection is devoloped the patient may be placed on a
ventilator.
• The patient has to be placed in isolation to avoid spreading the
virus to other patients.
10. Vaccine…
• The FDA has approved a vaccine designed to
protect against the avian flu
• But the vaccine is not currently available to
the public.
• Experts recommend that the vaccine be used if
H5N1 begins to spread among people
