<h1 class="ql-align-center">Bird Flu</h1> <h2>Context:</h2> <ul><li>Fresh cases of bird flu&nbsp;have been confirmed in the Kuttanad region of Kerala. Response teams have been formed for culling birds in affected areas.</li></ul> <h2>About:</h2> <ul><li>Bird flu also called avian influenza </li></ul> <ul><li>It is a disease caused by avian influenza Type A viruses found naturally in wild birds worldwide</li></ul> <ul><li>Symptoms have ranged from mild to severe influenza-like illness and can also develop&nbsp;a severe respiratory illness.</li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>Avian Influenza type A viruses are classified based on two proteins on their surfaces – Hemagglutinin(HA) and Neuraminidase(NA).</li></ul> <ul><li class="ql-indent-1">There are about 18 HA subtypes and 11 NA subtypes.</li></ul> <ul><li class="ql-indent-1">Several combinations of these two proteins are possible e.g., H5N1, H7N2, H9N6, H17N10, etc</li></ul> <h2>Spread:</h2> <ul><li>There have been reports of avian and swine influenza infections in humans.</li></ul> <ul><li>The infection is deadly as it has a high mortality rate of about 60%.</li></ul> <ul><li>The most common route of virus transmission is direct contact.</li></ul> <h2>Measure:</h2> <ul><li>Culling is usually undertaken to control the infection when it is detected in animals and safe disposal of all such culled animals and animal products is also important. </li></ul> <ul><li>The authorities also need to strictly enforce decontamination of infected premises and undertake quarantine of contaminated vehicles and personnel.</li></ul> <img src="https://sunyaias-resources.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/content/d6ea16c0-730c-11ec-b89c-477923514423.png">