Bird Flu in Pet Birds

Bird flu in pet birds and poultry birds is one of the most well-known diseases and is also known as Avian flu. It is caused by a form of influenza virus, orthomyxovirus, that usually only infects birds and sometimes infects pigs. Bird flu in pet birds is one of the contageious diseases and is readily transmitted by waterfowl. The highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) epizootic (animal outbreak) in Asia, Europe, the Near East, and Africa is unexpectedly very high. These continents are highly prone to avian influenza in the world. It is likely that H5N1 virus infections among domestic poultry have become endemic in certain areas and that sporadic human infections resulting from direct contact with infected poultry and/or wild birds will continue to occur.

There are more than 100,000 species of birds on the planet, but only a few of them can live with human beings as good companions. Certain species of birds include finches, pigeons, doves, parrots, African Grey parrot, Amazon parrot, caiques, canary, cockatiels, cockatoo, conures, macaws, parrotlet, parakeet, pionus, and rosella. They all are too social, friendly, and intelligent.

There are many chances that bird flu might attack your pet birds. However, there is no influenza A (H5N1) in the United States, there is no risk of bird flu in pet birds. The virus circulating in Asia, Europe and Africa has not yet entered the United States as described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But this does not mean that Americans should be care free about their pet birds can never be infected with avian influenza ever. You should be aware of all precautionary measures to prevent Bird flu in pet birds.

Signs And Symptoms Of Bird Flu In Pet Birds:

The symptoms for avian influenza include:

• Lack of appetite
• Breathing problems
• Swelling of the head
• Discharge from the eyes
• Diarrhea
• Depression

Remember, sometimes symptoms does not appear in the birds infected with avian influenza and birds have sudden death. It may cause death in birds within about 48 hours. However, when symptoms begin to appear, treatment should start for emergency basis because fatality rate for bird flu in pet birds is alarmingly high.