Discuss in brief about 'Avian flu'.

Avian Flu (Bird flu) is an important disease affecting poultry birds and man has to be very watchful about this disease as it is very dangerous to him too.
* Causative organism : It is caused by H₅N₁, the 'avian flu virus'. It is a pandemic disease.
* Mode of infection: Infection may be spread simply by touching contaminated surfaces. Birds infected by this virus continue to release the virus as their faeces and oral secretions for as long as 10 days.
* Symptoms : In human the typical symptoms are diarrhoea, cough (dry or with phlegm), difficulty in breathing, fever, headache, malaise, muscle aches and sore throat.
* Prevention : Avoiding consumption of undercooked chicken meat. Poultry workers should use protective clothing and special breathing masks.
* Complete culling (separation) of infected flock by burying or burning them.