MCQ Detailed View

Viruses are infectious agents that cause a wide variety of diseases in humans, animals, and plants. One such virus is the H5N1 virus, a subtype of the Influenza A virus. H5N1 primarily affects birds and is therefore commonly referred to as avian influenza or bird flu.

The name “H5N1” refers to the specific proteins on the surface of the virus: hemagglutinin type 5 (H5) and neuraminidase type 1 (N1). These proteins are important for the virus to attach to host cells and spread infection. Bird flu outbreaks have been recorded worldwide, particularly in poultry farms, and the disease spreads quickly among birds through saliva, nasal secretions, and droppings.

Although H5N1 is mainly a disease of birds, humans can sometimes become infected through close contact with sick birds. Human-to-human transmission is rare, but when it occurs, the infection can be severe. Symptoms in humans include high fever, cough, sore throat, pneumonia, and difficulty breathing. The mortality rate is high compared to seasonal flu, making H5N1 a serious public health concern.

It is important to clarify why other options are incorrect:

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  AIDS is caused by the HIV virus, not H5N1.

  
  


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  Fever is a general symptom, not a disease caused by one specific virus.

  
  


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  None of these is incorrect because bird flu is the right answer.

  
  

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to monitor H5N1 closely because of its pandemic potential if the virus were ever to mutate and spread easily between humans. Preventive measures include controlling poultry outbreaks, avoiding contact with infected birds, and developing vaccines.

In conclusion, the H5N1 virus is the cause of bird flu, a serious infectious disease that affects birds and sometimes humans, with significant health and economic implications.