Europe, Asia on alert after the rapid spread of Bird Flu

World: We are already going through a COVID pandemic whose terminal seems invisible at all. And we have got another battle to fight, which is "Avian influenza" commonly known as "Bird Flu".According to Reuters, the rapid extent of avian influenza has put the poultry sector on alert after previous consecutive outbreaks led to the slaughter of tens of millions of birds worldwide.Several outbreaks of avian influenza in Europe & Asia have been informed in the past few days to the World Organisation for Animal-Health (OIE), in a sign the virus is spreading rapidly again. This alarming situation gathered the attention of epidemiologists worldwide as the virus can be "transmitted to humans". Let's see the spreading graph of avian influenza:The OIE said on Monday; China has recorded 21 human infections with the H5N6 subtype of bird flu so far this year, more than in the whole of the year 2020. South Korea recorded an outbreak at a farm of around 770,000 poultry in Chungcheongbuk-do. To restrict the spread, all animals were slaughtered.In Asia, Japan recorded its first outbreak of the year 2021 winter season at a poultry farmhouse in the northeast of the nation. If we talk about the serotype in this bird flu outbreak was H5N8.The OIE stated that in Europe, Norway notified an H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in the Rogaland section in a herd of 7,000 birds.[caption id="attachment_38870" align="alignnone" width="100%"] South Korea recorded an outbreak at a farm of around 770,000 poultry in Chungcheongbuk-do.[/caption]Generally, outbreaks happen in which season?According to various data, outbreaks generally happen in the autumn, spread by migrating wild birds. The Belgian administration put the nation at heightened risk for bird flu, commanding poultry to be kept indoors as of Monday after an extremely pathogenic mutant of bird flu was classified in a wild goose near Antwerp.This followed a similar move in neighboring France earlier this month and in October in the Netherlands. Bird flu cannot be transferred through the consumption of poultry products.[caption id="attachment_38871" align="alignnone" width="100%"] The OIE said on Monday; China has recorded 21 human infections with the H5N6 subtype of bird flu so far this year[/caption]How does bird flu transmit in humans?According to various studies, It is considered that most instances of bird flu contamination in humans have emerged from contact with infected poultry or infected surfaces.Symptoms of Avian fluHigh TemperatureA dry, chesty coughA sore throatHeadacheTirednessLimb or joint painDiarrhea or stomach upsetRunny or blocked noseSneezingLoss of appetiteAcute respiratory distressShortness of breathInsomniaMalaiseMuscle achesHow can we take precaution?Researchers say that, Practice good hygiene by washing your hands regularly with warm water & soap, particularly before and after touching foods. Avoid open air markets or touch with live birds & poultry. Do not consume undercooked or raw poultry and duck. Avoid eating raw-eggs.