Bird Flu Epidemic

Avian influenza is commonly referred to as bird flu. It generally affects birds, but has also been known to affect humans. Bird flu is very contagious among birds including chickens, ducks, and turkeys. Since humans consume these types of birds there is the possibility of infection. Symptoms of bird flu include vomiting, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and respiratory problems.

During 2003, an individual in New York City was affected by bird flu. However, there were not any other confirmed cases there. Canada experienced a bird flu epidemic in 2004. The government of Canada worked quickly to reduce the spread of contaminated poultry. The outbreak during this epidemic involved processors in poultry plants.

Texas experienced an epidemic of bird flu during 2004 as well. More than 7,000 chickens were infected. This was the largest bird flu epidemic the United States had faced in 20 years. New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland all saw bird flu outbreaks in 2004. It is believed all these incidents were from the same strain of the virus.

There have been several outbreaks of bird flu that affected children during 2006.



One outbreak took place in Azerbaijan. The children were infected because their job was to remove the feathers from the dead chickens. A family with eight children was infected with bird flu in Indonesia.

The United States has been in fear of a bird flu epidemic. It is anticipated it will take place in late 2006 or early 2007. Many Americans have begun stocking up on powdered milk and canned tuna in preparation. The warning of the impending bird flu comes from the United States Secretary of Agriculture. They are working hard to prevent this from happening. They are tracking the infected bird populations.

The best protection against bird flu is the proper handling of poultry in processing plants. There are strict guidelines in place as well as sanitary guidelines to be followed. It is important to handle poultry correctly at home and to wash your hands and the area you processed the poultry in thoroughly with hot water and soap. Make sure you cook all poultry completely. The United States has a ban in place that prevents birds or their eggs from countries with bird flu outbreaks from entering the country.


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