Is H5N1 a bird flu?
Asian highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus occurs mainly in birds and is highly contagious among them. HPAI Asian H5N1 is especially deadly for poultry. The virus was first detected in 1996 in geese in China.
What does H mean in H1N1?
The designation “H1N1” indicates unique traits, which exhibit characteristics that identify the virus to the immune system and allows for attachment and replication of the virus. The “H” (hemagglutinin) and the “N” (neuraminidases) are both proteins that are found on the outer shell or envelope of the virus.
What does H stand for in H5N1?
Hs and Ns. Influenza A and B viruses have two types of spikes that cover their surface – the haemagglutinin (H) and the neuraminidase (N). Viruses attach by their haemagglutinin onto receptors on the surface of cells in order to infect them, like a grappling hook.
What is Asian H7N9 and H5N1?
Asian H7N9 viruses have not been detected in people or birds in the United States. You cannot get infected with these viruses from properly handled and cooked poultry or eggs. H5N1 is a highly pathogenic avian (bird) flu virus that has caused serious outbreaks in domestic poultry in parts of Asia and the Middle East.
Can H5N1 and H7N9 spread from birds to humans?
While H5N1 and H7N9 strains can directly infect humans from birds, these viruses have not yet adapted sufficiently to spread from human to human. They could adapt either through random mutations, or by generating a mixed or “reassortant” virus.
What is the H5N1 virus?
H5N1 is a highly pathogenic avian (bird) flu virus that has caused serious outbreaks in domestic poultry in parts of Asia and the Middle East. Since its widespread re-emergence in 2003, rare, sporadic human infections with this virus have been reported in Asia, and later in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
What is the pathophysiology of avian influenza A (H5) (H7N9)?
Disease features such as the incubation period, severity of symptoms and clinical outcome varies by the virus causing infection but mainly manifests with respiratory symptoms. In many patients infected by A (H5) or A (H7N9) avian influenza viruses, the disease has an aggressive clinical course.