A child was infected by H5N1 (a type of avian influenza A virus).
- It is a big concern as H5N1 virus is mainly an animal virus that primarily infects animals.
About Avian influenza (Bird Flu)
- Refers to the disease caused by infection with Avian Influenza Type A viruses.
- Influenza A viruses are divided into subtypes on the basis of two proteins on the surface of the virus: Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA).
- Categorized into different subtypes such as H5N3, H5N8 etc.
- Also, on the basis of severity, it is categorised into two types- Low Pathogenicity and High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza.
- H5N1 is a high Pathogenicity Avian Influenza.
- Carrier and Transmission: Migratory wild birds especially waterfowl, are natural reservoirs of avian influenza viruses.
Associated Concerns
- Cases of Bird flu may rise due to global warming as birds migration patterns will change.
- Mutation in the Influenza virus can create new subtypes.
- A mutation is a change in the genetic sequence of an organism.
- Trade of infected poultry and poultry products may spread the disease if not regulated properly.
Impacts: Economic Loss due to culling of birds, rise in production costs due to the implementation of bird flu control measures, etc.
Steps TakenGlobal
India
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