Avian influenza virus (H9N2)

About Avian influenza virus (H9N2)

• H9N2 is a subtype of the influenza A virus, which causes human influenza as well as bird flu.
• This virus is found worldwide in wild birds and is endemic in poultry in many areas.
• Poultry is considered a genetic incubator for the origin of the H9N2 novel avian influenza virus that infects humans.
• Symptoms
  • Infections ranging from mild, flu-like symptoms or eye inflammation to severe, acute respiratory disease or death.
  • The severity of the disease depends on the virus causing the infection and the characteristics of the infected individual.
• Prevention: Maintaining personal and hand hygiene, including washing hands with soap, before and after contact with animals is essential to avoid being infected by the virus.

Classification of Influenza

• The influenza virus, which causes illness, is classified by WHO into four types: A, B, C, and D.
• According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only the influenza A and B viruses are known to cause epidemics.
• The C type virus usually causes mild respiratory illness, while the D type virus typically affects cattle and is not known to infect humans.
• Only the influenza A virus is divided into subtypes and the subtype is based on two proteins on the surface of the virus, hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N).

Q1) What Is WHO?

The World Health Organization is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health. 

Source: Monitoring respiratory illness outbreak in China but risks low for India: Govt