What is H5N1 avian influenza, its symptoms, and how fatal can it be ?

WHY IN NEWS?

An 11-year-old boy in Delhi died of H5N1 avian influenza. This is the first recorded death due to the bird flu in India in 2021.

About Bird Flu:

• Bird flu or avian influenza is a disease caused by avian influenza Type A viruses found naturally in wild birds worldwide.
• The virus can infect domestic poultry including chickens, ducks, turkeys and there have been reports of H5N1 infection among pigs, cats, and even tigers in Thailand zoos.

Types:

• Avian Influenza type a viruses are classified based on two proteins on their surfaces – Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA).
• There are about 18 HA subtypes and 11 NA subtypes. Several combinations of these two proteins are possible e.g., H5N1, H7N2, H9N6, H17N10 among others.