fowl plague

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a viral respiratory disease primarily affecting poultry and other bird species. It is caused by type A influenza viruses, classified as orthomyxoviruses. While typically affecting birds, certain strains, particularly H5N1, can be transmitted to humans, often through direct contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces.12

The first human cases were reported in 1997 in Hong Kong, where an H5N1 outbreak in poultry led to severe illness and death in humans. Symptoms in humans resemble those of human influenza, including fever, sore throat, cough, headache, and muscle aches, but can progress to life-threatening complications. Bird flu viruses are categorized as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI). Transmission occurs through feces, saliva, and nasal secretions, and can spread between farms and regions via trade and migratory birds.1