H1n1

[beepbeepinajeep]

I have been reading a book called Home to Roost: A Backyard Farmer Chases Chickens Through the Ages by Bob Sheasley copyright 2008 It was a very interesting & fun read, but one thing jumped out at me that I never would have expected. Read this passage and let me know your thoughts:

(in speaking about flu that is passed from birds to pigs to humans & then human to human)

"Avian influenza fears are hardly a phobia. A precedent of devastation was set ninety years ago, when the Spanish flu felled millions around the globe. Humanity has yet to discover the lowly but mighty virus. Recent genetic analysis confirmed that the killer was the avian flu. One of its hallmarks was who it killed: healthy young adults, in whom it triggered a lethal immune reaction, rather than the very young and old. At it killed swiftly after onset of symptoms. The H1N1 strain of that flu had mutated so that it could easily infect humans and spread from person to person."

Does this mean that the Spanish flu was H1N1? Are there different strains of H1N1?

It also said if you have reports of avian flu in your area you should move your chickens inside. If we get H1N1 (it is in our area) can we give it to the chickens?

 

[robin416]

Relax, it may sound like its an easy thing to have the virus mutate to jump from species to species but its not. The other factor in our favor is the conditions in which we house our birds. That's a ton different from so many other countries.

There are dozens of chicken flu virus'. Most are not reportable so no one even knows they are around, some are reportable and birds are quarantined, and last very few require culling the flock. So even if your birds were tested and found to have a flu virus the chances are its far more likely its nothing to be concerned about and the birds will be just fine.

My state has spent a ton of money on catch and release of wild birds, testing them all and having nothing come back regarding flu.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Check the CDC website for answers.

I'm not worried about avian flu, personally.

I think it's like lightning. You either get hit or you don't.

Just use good hygiene as always. We should always act like everyone has a cold that we don't want to catch. That's just common sense. Wash your hands, keep your fingers out of your eyes, nose, and mouth, and teach your children to do the same.

 

[beepbeepinajeep]

I was just concerned that it was found that H1N1 is what Spanish flu that killed so many was... but I didn't know if there were different strains of H1N1. If H1N1 is a single strain, then I will be more concerned about swine flu not from my birds, but from our frequent trips to the hospital, doctor, therapy, etc. I have a son with a compromised immune function, so I am a little concerned about H1N1. I figured who else would know more than the BYC forum about an avian flu

 

[robin416]

First the flu that they are so concerned about in Asia is H5N1, that is the bird flu.

This swine flu is something different.

Follow any protocols your health care professionals advice concerning your child and that's about the best you can do.

I think the main reason they are so riled up about the swine flu is that it happened at all and that it happened so suddenly. As far as statistics for flu causing death its still much lower than the numbers reported in a typical flu season. In some people it is so mild they don't even realize they have it.

If the flu mutates at all during our normal flu season then there is a reason for concern and more diligence is needed from everybody.

 

[jafo]

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