AVIAN BIRD FLU   © 2006 Hoot Foot America LP

Wild birds right across the world carry the avian influenza viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks and turkeys, very sick and kill them. Birds that survive infection excrete virus for at least 10 days, orally and in feces, thus facilitating further spread of the disease. This excretion can be on surfaces and also in water.

Many of the recent outbreaks of avian bird flu were in Europe, where wild birds have tested positive for the disease. Tests confirmed very recently that three dead swans found in Hungary were infected with the H5N1 strain, making it the seventh European Union nation to confirm the disease in birds. Since 2004 it has passed through poultry and wild bird populations across Eurasia, and had a 53% mortality rate in the first 147 people it is known to have infected.



THE AVIAN BIRD FLU INFECTION

Infected birds excrete avian influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated secretions or excretions or with surfaces that are contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds. Domesticated birds may also become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. More recently some domestic animals have also contacted the avian flu as a result of being in the same environment as contaminated birds.

There is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds- for example by people inhaling dried feces that have become converted into dust. Clearly therefore if we encounter an outbreak of avian influenza people need to avoid any contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions or especially the dried excretions from such birds.

For many years Hot Foot America has advised the public about the dangers of bird droppings, especially the dry and dusty form and has issued advice on what to do to avoid inhaling dried droppings. (See article on our website using the following link http://www.hotfoot.com/articles.html#anchortop). While concentrating on the most common disease of histoplasmosis, Hot Foot has specified that there are over 40 known virus and 60 transmittable diseases directly associated with birds and their droppings. We have specifically focused the publics’ attention on the need for dust suppression techniques and the need for a liquid based sterilizer for sanitary clean up of bird feces.



H5N1

Of the 15 avian influenza virus subtypes, H5N1 is of particular concern. H5N1 mutates rapidly and has the proven ability to acquire genes from viruses infecting other animal species. Its ability to cause severe disease in humans has been documented on two occasions.

H5N1 has caused the largest number of detected cases of severe disease and death in humans. In the current outbreaks in Asia and Europe more than half of those infected with the virus have died. Most cases have occurred in previously healthy children and young adults

There currently is no commercially available vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus that is being seen in Asia and Europe. However, vaccine development efforts are taking place

A few rare cases of human-to-human spread of H5N1 virus have occurred, though transmission has not continued beyond one person.



SYMPTOMS OF AVIAN BIRD FLU IN HUMANS

The reported symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections (conjunctivitis), pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia, and other severe and life-threatening complications.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says it remains difficult for humans to catch H5N1. The agency has confirmed 170 human cases, including 92 deaths, since 2003 — mostly in East Asia. But the WHO experts fear that the virus could mutate into a form that is easily transmitted from person to person and set off a flu pandemic.

The main risk to us from this virus is not the odd person catching it directly from birds - it's that the virus could evolve into a form capable of spreading from person to person and thus causing a human pandemic.

Since the 1980’s, there is a list of diseases which have jumped from animals to people and this list has grown. Hantvirus, SARS, Monkeypox and most recently avian influenza with the latter having most potential to create widespread harm.

Previous pandemics include:

1918-19: Spanish flu. Caused more than 500,000 deaths in the U.S., and 50 million worldwide.

1957-58: Asian flu. 70,000 deaths in the U.S.

1968-69. Hong Kong flu. 34,000 deaths in the U.S.

Both the 1957-58 and 1968-69 pandemics were caused by viruses containing a combination of genes from a human and an avian influenza virus. It may be reassuring to note that the number of deaths has decreased with each pandemic, possibly due to better supportive medical care.



PRECAUTIONS

There is virtually no way of visually identifying whether a particular bird has the avian flu. Therefore, since the infection occurs via fecal-oral route, you can reduce your risk by avoid areas with high concentrations of bird feces.

Surfaces with dried droppings should be cleaned using a wet solution containing and EPA registered sterilizing solution. Such surfaces should not be brushed dry using a brush etc. as this can stir the droppings into a dust which is easily inhaled. Hot Foot America has such a solution for sale and it should be used according to the manufacturers’ label.



HOT FOOT REPELLENT GEL

Once the surface is clean and dry, any further infestation by birds can be prevented by the application of Hot Foot bird repelling gel. Having been on the international market for nearly three decades, hot foot gel is a proven performer in repelling a wide variety of bird species. Low in cost and easy to apply, basically anyone with handyman skills can apply the repellent.

Hot Foot bird repelling gel is a tactile bird repellent which is less in toxicity than table salt yet effectively repels bird with just one application. It repels birds by its sticky nature, not by burning or harming birds. The cartridge of Hot Foot bird repelling gel will fit any standard caulking gun which can be purchased from your local hardware store. Once applied correctly, simply spray the hot foot gel with the crystal coat supplied in the pack for a long lasting solution to your bird problem. Click here for more information on Hot Foot bird repelling gel.