"An outbreak of avian flu that began in two states has spread to seven since last week and has infected more than 140,000 birds, Nigeria’s agriculture minister was quoted as saying by Nigerian news media on Thursday. The minister, Akwinumi Adesina, sought to assure the public that the outbreak had not reached a crisis. “There is no cause for alarm,” he said, though at least one strain of the virus that causes the disease, H5N1, can infect humans. He also exhorted Nigerian consumers not to fear poultry consumption because the virus is spread only through contact between live birds and people who directly handle them, and the virus dies when cooked. “So, let Nigerians feel free to eat chicken and eggs,” Mr. Adesina was quoted as saying. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and leading poultry producer."
What is Bird flu?
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. Highly pathogenic refers to the virus’s ability to produce disease. Although H5N1 does not usually infect humans, nearly 650 cases of human cases of H5N1 have been reported from 15 countries since 2003.
- Most human cases of “highly pathogenic“ H5N1 virus infection have occurred in people who had recent contact with sick or dead poultry that were infected with H5N1 viruses. About 60% of people infected with the virus died from their illness.
- Unlike other types of flu, H5N1 usually does not spread between people.
- There have been no reported infections with these viruses in birds, poultry, or people in the United States.
- You cannot get infected with these viruses from properly handled and cooked poultry or eggs.
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