Bird flu

In News: Bird flu, a virus not known to spread easily among mammals, led to the culling of 50,000 minks in Spain.

• The findings indicated at least one mutation in the virus’ genome, which may make mammal-to-mammal infection easier.
• It is possible the minks were infected via seabirds in Galicia, a region in Spain, carrying the H5N1 virus since they were kept in an open cage and possibly interacted with the wild birds

Bird flu

• Avian influenza or bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses H5N1.
• These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.
• Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with  bird flu viruses have occurred.
• Typically, mammals catch the avian influenza directly from infected birds, through the consumption of bird droppings or preying on infected animals.
• However, within-mammal transmission was uncharacteristic of the virus until now.
• Poultry birds across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America have been victim to the highly infectious strain of the avian influenza virus.
• The virus H5N1 is evolving and may be gaining pandemic potential as its mutation is the same mutation that was recorded in the gene of the 2009 pandemic swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus.

Source: DTE

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) Consider the following statements: (2017)

1. In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted by ‘the same mosquito that transmits dengue.
2. Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q.2) H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases? (2015)

1. AIDS
2. Bird flu
3. Dengue
4. Swine flu