Best Health Insurance Company in India

Bird Flu: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

5 January, 2021

0 Shares

152 Reads

Bird Flu: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Share

In a recent update, the central government noted that the presence of bird flu in poultry has been confirmed in over 9 states so far. With this range being widened to include cows as well as wild and migratory birds, this number of states that have detected the disease increases to 12.

 

What is Bird Flu?

Avian influenza/Avian flu, more commonly referred to as bird flu, is a viral infection found in birds. However, the infection is not limited to the species and can spread among species and also, from animal to man. Bird flu is fatal for birds infected with it. However, there are significant consequences for human infections as well. While most forms of the virus are limited to birds, the most common iteration found in humans, H5N1 has a mortality rate of over 60% causing a slew of bird flu deaths.

 

In this article, we will have a look at what bird flu is, the impact it can have, as well as any measures you can take to reduce chances of infection given its spread in the country.

 

Causes of Bird Flu

The first major avian flu outbreak was noted in Hong Kong in 1997, where bird flu was caused by the poultry being infected and passing it on those in close contact.

 

The virus is usually incubated in nature itself from waterfowl and is contracted by any bird or animal species that share the habitat. The most cause of the virus’ spread to humans however is poultry. Unsanitary conditions for cooped up animals can cause an infection to run wild among the population. While till date there exists no record of human-to-human transmission, bird flu is caused by individuals coming in close contact with infected bird/animal species.

 

Bird flu is caused by coming in contact with livestock, though scientists have found no proper evidence of contracting the disease through the consumption of eggs/bird meat from an infected animal. It is recommended that eggs should not be left runny, and meat cooked at a temperature above 73 degrees is also considered safe.

 

Symptoms of Bird Flu

Bird flu symptoms display themselves as those of any other flu. Such typical flu-like symptoms include basic ones such as a cough and cold, possible headaches and mild fevers. In some cases, if the infection is more severe, patients could develop diarrhoea and a sore throat, as well as a potential pain in the muscles and respiratory issues.

 

Treatment of Bird Flu

The treatment for bird flu is similar to any other typical flu or flu-like infection, wherein the symptoms are treated in order to combat the disease as a whole. A number of drugs are recommended antibiotics for the fight against bird flu such as oseltamivir, zanamivir and peramivir. It is recommended these medicines be taken (upon consultation with a proper physician with proper instructions) within 48 hours of avian flu symptoms showing.

 

Generally, one could employ a slew of home remedies to combat the symptoms such as fevers, colds and a sore throat. However, to combat the disease itself, antiviral drugs are required.

 

How to Prevent Yourself from Bird Flu

While it is impossible for one to guarantee complete immunity against any disease/infection up until there is a sufficient vaccine, there are steps one could take to significantly reduce their exposure.

 

It is recommended that wild birds be observed only from a distance and one should avoid coming in contact with them. It is also recommended that for those coming in close contact with poultry that they avoid being in the vicinity of any dead birds and take proper biosecurity measures alongside adopting stringent hygiene practices.

 

Conclusion:

As the 12th state in India reports cases of the avian flu, bird flu is another on the list of diseases plaguing the country. While an infection is easily diagnosable and treatable, one must always have a backup plan if things go south. Alongside maintaining good hygiene practices and medical records, one must also have health insurance options as well as mediclaim policy available to their disposal. In the event that they contract the disease, financial hurdles should not intervene in successful treatment. In this way, with a combination of remedies, you can prevent from and protect against the bird flu, even if you do contract it.

Start Your Insurance Today!

Secure your Health with comprehensive insurance plans from Niva Bupa

+91
Disclaimer infoBy clicking Start Now, you authorize Niva Bupa to Call/SMS/Whatsapp on your registered mobile overriding DNCR.

You may also like

Popular SearchesHealth InsuranceMedical Insurance Best Health Insurance PlansHealth Insurance PlansHealth Insurance PolicyBest Health Insurance PlansBest Family Health InsuranceBest Mediclaim PolicyBest Health Insurance In IndiaBest Medical Insurance In IndiaBest Health Insurance Plans In IndiaBest Health Insurance Policy In IndiaMediclaimBest Health Insurance For Senior Citizens In IndiaBest Health InsuranceHealth Insurance With Opd CoverMediclaim InsuranceMedical Insurance PlansBest Health Insurance Company in IndiaCritical Illness InsurancePersonal Accident InsuranceMediclaim PolicyIndividual Health InsurancePregnancy InsuranceMaternity Insurance | | Best Family Health Insurance plans in IndiaBest Health Insurance companyFamily Health InsuranceBest Health Insurance plans for Senior CitizensMediclaim Policy for Family

 

Health Insurance SchemesChief Ministers Comprehensive Health Insurance SchemeEmployee State Insurance SchemeSwasthya Sathi SchemePradhan Mantri Matru Vandana YojnaGovernment Health Insurance SchemeDr. YSR Aarogyasri SchemePradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima YojnaHealth Insurance DeductibleWest Bengal Health SchemeThird Party AdministratorRashtriya Swasthya Bima YojanaIn Patient Vs Out Patient HospitalizationMukhyamantri Chiranjeevi YojnaArogya Sanjeevani Health InsuranceCopay Health InsuranceCashless Health Insurance SchemeMukhyamantri Amrutum Yojna

 

Travel Insurance PlansTravel InsuranceInternational Travel InsuranceStudent Travel InsuranceTravel Insurance USATravel Insurance CanadaTravel Insurance ThailandTravel Insurance UKTravel Insurance GermanyTravel Insurance BaliTravel Insurance VietnamTravel Insurance DubaiTravel Insurance SingaporeSchengen Travel Insurance

 

Top Hospitals -  Best Hospitals in ChennaiTop Hospitals in DelhiBest Hospitals in GurgaonBest Hospitals in IndiaTop 10 Hospitals in IndiaBest Hospitals in HyderabadBest Hospitals in KolkataBest cancer hospitals in BangaloreBest cancer hospitals in HyderabadBest cancer hospitals in MumbaiBest cancer hospitals in IndiaTop 10 cancer hospitals in IndiaTop 10 cancer hospital in DelhiMulti Speciality Hospitals in MumbaiMulti Speciality Hospitals in ChennaiMulti Speciality Hospitals in HyderabadSuper Speciality Hospitals in DelhiBest Liver Hospitals in DelhiBest Liver Hospitals in IndiaBest Kidney Hospitals in IndiaBest Heart hospitals in BangaloreBest Heart hospitals in IndiaBest Heart hospitals in KolkataBest Heart hospitals in Delhi


OthersTop Up Health Insurance PolicyCorporate Health InsuranceHealth CardSection 80d of Income Tax ActAyushman BharatHealth Insurance PortabilityGoActive Family Floater PlanHealth Companion Family Floater PlanHealth Premia Family Floater PlanHealth Pulse Family Floater PlanHealth Recharge Family Floater PlanHeartbeat Family Floater PlanMoney Saver Family Floater PlanSaral Suraksha Bima Family Floater PlanSenior Citizen Family Floater PlanSuper Saver Family Floater PlanCorona Kavach Family Floater PlanHospital Cash InsuranceCashless Health InsuranceHealth Companion Price revision | Heartbeat Price revision | ReAssure Price revision 

 

COVID - OmicronCoronavirus Health InsuranceCovid XE VariantNorovirus

footer logo
Some image

www.nivabupa.com

Some image

+91 11 41743397

Some image

1860-500-8888

Some image

14th Floor, Capital Cyberscape, Sector 59, Gurgaon

  • Insurance is a subject matter of solicitation. Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited (formerly known as Max Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited) (IRDAI Registration Number 145, Category:Health), 'Bupa' and 'HEARTBEAT' logo are registered trademarks of their respective owners and are being used by Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited (formerly known as Max Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited) under license. CIN: U66000DL2008PLC182918
  • 1 Niva Bupa processes pre-authorisation requests within 30 minutes for all active policies, subject to receiving all documents and information(s) up to Niva Bupa’s satisfaction. The above commitment does not include pre-authorisation settlement at the time of discharge or system outage.
  • 2 Since Inception refers to claim data from 2010 till December 2023.
  • 3 ReAssure 2.0 Premium: The premium is including taxes and for Bronze Variant, for a 25-year-old individual living in Delhi.
  • 4 Aspire Premium: The premium is including taxes and for Gold+ Variant, for a 25-year-old individual living in Delhi.
  • 5 Senior First Premium: The premium is including taxes and for Gold Variant, for a 65-year-old individual living in Delhi.
  • 6 Health Premia Premium: The premium is including taxes and for Silver Variant, for a 25-year-old individual living in Delhi.
  • 7 SmartHealth + Disease Management Premium: The premium is including taxes and for Disease Management Gold Variant rider when bought with ReAssure 2.0 Bronze variant with Base Sum Insured of 5 lacs, for a 25-year-old individual living in Delhi.
  • Beware of spurious / fraud phone calls! Do not share your confidential information like Debit / credit card number, Internet Banking User ID/Password, Pin, CVV, OTP, etc. with anyone. Avoid clicking on attachments / payment link received in mails / message from unknown sources. IRDAI is not involved in activities like selling insurance policies, announcing bonus or investment or premium. Public receiving such phone calls are requested to lodge a police complaint. Do not respond to unsolicited and attractive offers received through unidentified calls, emails, SMSs, and other social media platforms. Beware of misleading telephone calls from people posing as Niva Bupa officials, agents, IRDAI Officials, Officials from ECI (Office of the Executive Council of Insurers) etc. and offering alluring benefits or sharing false information on your policy or on Niva Bupa. Niva Bupa shall not be responsible for any loss or damages whatsoever for any acts or omissions arising out of such spurious calls, and all customers are advised to contact our customer care at 1860-500-8888 and verify any representations or promises made by any such spurious callers before acting upon the same.
Social IconSocial IconSocial IconSocial IconSocial Icon