The avian influenza virus can survive for over 30 days in droppings from birds in cold weather, and nearly a week in the heat of summer, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirms.
Droppings are considered a transmission source for both humans and birds. In this environment, for example in feces, “the H5N1 virus can survive at least 35 days at around 4 degrees Celsius. At a temperature of about 37 degrees Celsius, the virus can live for 6 days,” WHO states.
Free-range poultry is the main source of the virus. “They are often allowed to roam to find food and easily come into contact with wild birds or share water sources with them. These situations create numerous opportunities for humans to contract the virus, especially when poultry enter homes or are kept indoors to avoid harsh weather. Sometimes they are close to where young children play or sleep,” WHO explains.
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A mother and child from Iran dispose of chickens. (Photo: Reuters/Vnexpress) |
H5N1 possesses many different characteristics from the common flu virus, with the most alarming being a longer incubation period compared to the typical flu virus (about 2-3 days). According to recent data on H5N1, “the incubation period for this virus ranges from 2 to 8 days, and can even extend up to 17 days.”
Initial symptoms of avian influenza include high fever (often above 38 degrees Celsius), accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal and chest pain, and nose and gum bleeding also appear early on. When infected with the virus, all patients develop pneumonia. Current observations indicate that difficulty breathing appears about 5 days after the first symptoms. Additionally, other symptoms may include hoarseness, wheezing while breathing, and blood-stained sputum.
“A very common feature of avian influenza is multi-organ dysfunction, primarily related to the kidneys and heart,” WHO affirms. The organization recommends using Tamiflu as soon as possible in the treatment of avian influenza.
However, H5N1 still holds many mysteries. Scientists have yet to explain why “the majority of avian influenza patients appear in rural areas and in suburban families. It is unclear why very few cases are detected in high-risk groups such as industrial poultry farmers, workers in live poultry markets, culling workers, veterinarians, and healthcare workers directly caring for unprotected patients. Additionally, it is puzzling why the disease is concentrated in healthy children and young adults.”
Mỹ Linh (according to Reuters)
