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What are the symptoms of rabies?
Rabies symptoms typically appear 1 to 3 months after exposure and can include fever, headache, and general weakness. As the disease progresses, symptoms may escalate to anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, and difficulty swallowing. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.
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What are the symptoms of bird flu?
Bird flu symptoms can vary but often resemble those of regular flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The H5N1 strain, in particular, can cause severe illness and has a high mortality rate.
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How do rabies and bird flu spread among humans?
Rabies is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, often bats or dogs. Human-to-human transmission is extremely rare. Bird flu, on the other hand, is usually contracted through direct contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces. The recent H5N1 case in Missouri raised concerns about potential human transmission, as the patient had no known contact with infected animals.
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What should communities do to prepare for potential outbreaks?
Communities should enhance surveillance and monitoring of animal populations, educate the public about avoiding contact with wild animals, and promote vaccination for pets against rabies. For bird flu, public health officials should monitor poultry farms and ensure biosecurity measures are in place to prevent outbreaks.
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What role do bats and birds play in these diseases?
Bats are significant reservoirs for rabies, often transmitting the virus to other animals and humans. Birds, particularly wild waterfowl, are natural hosts for bird flu viruses. They can spread the virus to domestic poultry, which can then pose a risk to humans, especially in cases of close contact.