Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Particular Concerns

Avian Influenza first occurred in Italy, but nowdays is spread along the world. It is an infectious disease caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. All birds are supposed to be susceptible to the avian influenza, but particularly domestic poultry.

Recombined with the human influenza viruses form a totally new influenza virus to which people do not have protection that spreads in the population and that causes serious illness and death in humans. Bird Flu is an infectious disease of birds that can also affect people. It can present mild or severe forms of illness.

The only subtype that can cause severe illness to people is Influenza A /H5N1 virus, initially it affects chickens, ducks and other birds by the process of mutation they can become highly pathogenic. If the bird flu virus recombines with a human flu virus and mutate it may become possible the transmission from human to human as happened in Asia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia Thailand, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Eygpt, China, and Iraq where people died.

Bird flu affected Australia in 1997 but, was eradicated. Water birds are supposed to carry the avian influenza type A virus inside their intestines and to distribute it in the environment through bird faeces. In highly contagious forms results in severe epidemics and rapid death. In Hong-Kong it has been declared pandemic.

H5N1is considered to be dangerous because it mutates rapidly and aquires genes from viruses infecting other animal species and human. The more affected were the birds of avian influenza the more dangerous was the infection for human beings, transmited by migratory birds. This could be the start for influenza pandemic.

Symptoms and treatments

Patients usually develop fever, sore throat, cough, severe respiratory distress and viral pneumonia. The people which were affected are of all ages in different states of health. Luckily, there are rapid tests for diagnosing all influenza strains. Antiviral drugs have some limitations, although they are effective in the treatment and prevention of influenza A virus strains. If a new virus subtype occures, it takes some time to produce a new vaccine to be efficient.

The World Health Organization (WHO) makes reports and updates regarding new human cases of infection with bird flu. It is also important to question patients if they had direct or indirect contact with sick chickens or other birds. Not allowing chickens to roam freely, correctly informate the community, advise public not to catch, get near or keep in captivity wild birds are important requirements in order to prevent a catastrophal pandemic.We must wash hands with soap and water before and after handling chicken meat. Cook chicken well, not to let chickens roam freely, do not place chickens, ducks and pigs together in one area.

For more information about bird flu or even about bird flu prevention please review this page http://www.bird-flu-info-center.com/bird-flu-prevention.htm

Is a bird flu vaccine really effective?

Bird flu is still a hot subject at the World Health Organization meetings, due to the fact that is still considered a threat for humanity.

Scientists believe that the H5N1 virus could mutate and then transmit from human to human causing a global pandemic, for which humanity is not yet prepared.

We have not developed a drug or a vaccine that might kill this evil virus, and so we are exposed to it. Lately there have been debates about the usefulness of the annual flu vaccines. Some scientists declare that if you get annually a flu vaccine, you are making yourself more susceptible to the flu in subsequent years, by weakening your immune system, instead of enforcing it.

Dr. Haim Danenberg of Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem says that one who did not get annual flu shots is possible to poses a better immune system then the annually vaccinated ones.

Some even say that flu vaccines create a pattern of dependence and once you begin taking them you will need to take them every year because your immune system gets weaker every year.

Phyllis Balch, an author of herbs and health does not recommend flu shots and suggests that the solution of getting rid of flu is by strengthening the immune system.

Every year a new strain of virus develops and we can not be sure that the flu shot we took will match for this new virus too, and the antibody response will only be protective if we are luckily enough to get infected with the right virus.

A study from Netherlands made on elderly people concluded that flu shots only give you one percent lower chance of getting the flu after all, so we ask ourselves why doctors and governments make all this propaganda for flu shots if they are only1% helpful.

In the case of bird flu things might not be like this, because if a virus strain is isolated and used to manufacture a bird flu vaccine, it may turn out to be more effective than 1%. Studies have not concluded yet.

It seems that flu shots contain toxic substances too, like mercury which is connected with the Alzheimer disease and could contribute to a mercury poisoning.

There is a law that indemnifies vaccine manufacturers from the harm caused by their products in case of a viral pandemic, even if the vaccine kills people.

You could find more about this law at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.01873:

So, the vaccine producers are protected in case of a mass murder, and they even get money for it (they sell their vaccine to health authorities). This proves that vaccines are not safe and that is why the vaccine companies have assured their legal protection.

Before getting a shot, people should first find out mere about the side effects given by the vaccines and to reconsider whether they want to risk taking it or try a different solution like the real anti-viral medicines.

So, if you want to find out more about bird flu prevention or even about symptoms of bird flu please click this link http://www.bird-flu-info-center.com/

A Step By Step Guide On How To Prevent Bird Flu

Bird Flu is one of the greatest threats to our modern civilization and if at all a pandemic strikes our planet earth, we are not at all prepared to face it. Bird flu spreads and multiplies in unhygienic conditions. In fact the carriers of this deadly virus are the wild birds, which remain unaffected by the outcome of the virus infiltration.

Bird flu is just an influenza virus. Generally this virus does not infect the humans. But a single strain of this virus, known as H5N1 can show infection symptoms in humans, dogs and pigs. Many of the viruses of this deadly disease has a common route to enter. They are found in our finger nails and enter through the mucous membrane of our nose and eyes.

However, the bird flu virus can be easily prevented. Some of the preventive measures are:

1.Maintaining proper personal hygiene. For that it is advisable that you wash your hands frequently, particularly while taking meals. And if you are looking for more safety use gloves while stepping out of your homes.

2.Apart from personal hygiene, proper sanitation is also very important. Unhygienic sanitation places are the best breeding grounds for the flu virus.

3.As it has been said earlier that the virus spreads through the mucous membranes so it is advisable for you to take some extra precautions. While traveling out in crowded places, make sure that you cover your eyes with a pair of goggles. And also try to cover your mouth and nose with the clinical masks available.

4.This is an advise both for the doctors and the general family members. While addressing a patient suffering from the virus, you should always cover your nose and mouth with a mask or an handkerchief. Because the mucous dropping by the patients carries the bird flu virus that might infect you.

5.There is some special care to take if you are a worker in a poultry farm. You need to protect all your body parts. So for that reason wear clinical masks and gloves for a complete protection. Keep separate clothes for the workplace and for home.

6.And if you find any bird suffering from the symptoms of the flu, you should immediately seclude it from the others. Do not allow the nasal discharge, fecal matter and the blood droplets of the infected chicken to come in contact with the healthy chickens.

7.There are certain vaccines for the bird flu disorder. But these vaccines sometimes fail to show positive results. So it is better to look for prevention than the cure.

8.While disposing the things used, like the gloves and the masks used while monitoring a bird or a human suffering from the virus, you should take some extra care. Dispose them as indicated on their manufacturing boxes.

9.The other natural way to prevent encounter with a flu virus is by improving your immune system. A strong immune system helps you fight this deadly virus. More over if you try to keep your general health fine, there are less chances of you being infected.

Preventing bird flu virus from spreading is not a difficult task. All you need to do is to be a little more careful about your surroundings and your health. An efficient immune and health system can fight any disease. The same is true with the prevention of the bird flu virus.

To read more articles on bird flu, bird flu prevention and bird flu vaccine visit http://www.isitbirdflu.com/

The author writes articles on different topics. To get more bird flu articles visit http://www.isitbirdflu.com/

Bird Flu Threat Case In Europe

Why the health authorities are too scary about this virus H5N1?

It reminds some of the health researchers and scientists about the Black Death (Bubonic Plague) that broke out in China in 1300 and quickly spread to Europe. The death toll soon was in millions.

The scientists fear that this virus H5N1 has similar potentialities. However, the beginning of the devastation created by this virus is humble. The total death toll since its emergence is just 200! For the present, the rate of annihilation is slightly over 50% of the total persons affected.

For the Bubonic Plague, the carriers were the rats. For the bird flu, it is birds. The rats traveled in boats that carried the cargo from one country to another. Birds do it without the services of boats or jets. They are capable of flying from one country to another and now they show their damage capacity.

Having suffered the devastating Plague, why Europe is now worried is...this bird flu virus mutates at a fast rate! It hardly takes few months to develop itself in to a new virus, and the medical research is unable to catch up the virus in this marathon.

The true nature of these viruses is nothing but a guessing game. H5N1 is a deadly virus, and wants the return of at least 50% of the human beings that it attacks!

So, the bird flu has become the prize-coverage and the news related to it is given in the front page columns. The researchers see the latent threat in those fast multiplying and dividing viruses of bird flu.

The African, European and Asian countries could be the hotbeds for this disease. Will the bird-flu dance the death dance here? Some of the countries are in the process of conducting the mock-exercises, to tackle the eventuality of bird-flu. Those who are not much informed about the sequences and consequences of this disease do collect some introductory information about these viruses.

The European countries are well versed in wars. After having suffered the death and devastation in two major World Wars, the health authorities of these nations are now tuning themselves to face this weaponless war!

This recent outbreak of the bird flu has taken the scientists and the researchers in Europe scurrying for the panic buttons. A decade ago, very few knew what this bird flu was. Now, the economists, scientists and the politicians are all worried about it. World Health Organization has given the top priority to devise ways and means to tackle this disease.

And finally, Bill Gates opens the gates to sanction additional grants in the cause of preventing the bird-flu!

To read more articles on bird flu, bird flu news and bird flu vaccine visit http://www.isitbirdflu.com/ To get more bird flu articles visit http://www.isitbirdflu.com/

Is There Any Vaccination For Fighting Bird Flu?

The outbreak of the pandemic flu in the South East Asian countries created a wave of terror through out the world. There were evidences of the bird flu being spread to West and infecting some of the African countries. The possibility of a strike in the western world cannot be neglected since the pathogens or viruses of the bird flu are carried by the migratory birds.

The death of people in certain countries has raised an alarm about the incompetence of science and technology to create a vaccination for bird flu.

The preparation of the bird flu vaccine is not an easy task. The most important fact is that a vaccine for a virus cannot be prepared beforehand since the strain of the virus is not known till it attacks.

The bird flu viruses go on mutating through antigenic shift or drift. The mutation cannot be traced to find out what form it is taking. So, the scientists cannot prepare the vaccine before a pandemic occurs.

Thus, there lies the problem in formulating a vaccination for bird flu. The world is totally unaware of the kind of virus that is going to infest the humankind. Next problem in the line is, the preparation of the vaccination will take a long time after the outbreak. That is, it will take almost six months to prepare a vaccine and a year for its mass distribution.

At present, prototypes of the H5N1 virus vaccination have been prepared by the scientist which are able to provide some kind of protection to the body. The prototype vaccine is not a complete protection against the bird flu. All the health organizations of different countries are still working on it and China has claimed that they have prepared two types of vaccines for the H5N1 bird flu virus.

The vaccination can produce high accentuated antibodies in the immune system that can target the H5N1 virus and remain longer in the immune system. The WHO has acclaimed this effort and will provide China with a prototype vaccine for humans, for developing a more effective vaccine.

It's a good news that vaccines are soon going to be available for the deadly H5N1 virus which is the present threat to the world. The CDC and WHO are providing instruction to the Health Departments of the countries throughout the world to teach people how to prevent the infection of the bird flu.

There are some antiviral medicines like Tami flu, Relenza, and alike that can be taken to reduce the intensity of the attack and help the immune system of your body to fight.

Let's hope for better that the vaccines are made available, as soon as possible. Maintain personal hygiene for preventing the virus, because it cannot attack you if you are clean and healthy to beat it.
The author writes about a number of different topics. For more information on bird flu vaccination visit http://www.isitbirdflu.com/ and also visit the article pages: http://www.isitbirdflu.com/bird-flu-vaccine/ and http://www.isitbirdflu.com/bird-flu-virus/

Worried About Bird Flu? Pest Birds Cause More Problems Than You May Know

Birds are beautiful, wild creatures of nature and most reside in rural environments that provide natural shelters for them. However, some bird species have successfully adapted to our urban environment. The pigeon, starling and house sparrow -- among others -- thrive in our buildings and on our food. Their adaptation to our communities has brought them into close proximity to humans, often conflicting with us in our cities and suburbs. Although there are many different problems associated with pest birds, they can generally be grouped into two main categories: damage and disease.

How Pest Birds Harbor and Spread Disease

Headlines scream of late about the spread of bird flu, encephalitis, salmonella and among other diseases, raising the public's awareness about the role pest birds play in the spread of disease. Yet, there are still many who underestimate the health risks associated with birds.

Birds are a perfect mechanism for spreading disease as they travel great distances, harbor a variety of parasites and can host internally a plethora of infectious diseases. While in general human interaction with most bird species is minimal, as more birds like pigeons, sparrows, starlings and gulls, become urbanized and we develop further into the suburbs (their natural habitat), they come into contact with humans more frequently, thus increasing the potential for the spread of diseases.

Diseases are carried by birds in several ways: 1) they are contained inside the bird and passed on through defecation, 2) they are present in the bird's nesting materials or droppings, and spread wherever these materials are left, and 3) the disease is inside a parasite the bird hosts.

The most common way a disease is transferred from bird to human is when a diseased bird directly defecates into a human food or water source. In the summer of 93, New York faced a health crisis when several hundred people came down with a mysterious ailment. The illness was traced to seagull droppings in an old city reservoir. Even if the feces are not dropped directly onto exposed food or water, airborne spores from drying feces in air ducts and vents or anywhere nearby can settle on exposed food and transfer disease. Several thousand cases of food poisoning (salmonella) every year can be attributed to this disease transmission route.

As bird droppings and/or the contaminated soil it rests on dries or is disturbed, microscopic pieces break off and become airborne. The airborne particles can contain dormant fungi and/or bacteria. When breathed into the lungs, the warm, moist lung lining provides a breeding ground for the infectious agents. Generally this infection lasts a few days, is flu-like in nature and the body's defenses contain the invaders before minor symptoms appear. However, in some cases, major infections cause long term disability and, in the extreme cases, death. An example of this occurred after the Northridge earthquake, when several thousand people came down with flu-like respiratory symptoms called Valley Fever, caused by breathing in dust and airborne debris filled with histoplasmosis spores and related fungal agents stirred up by the earthquake. It is important to note there is no known medical cure for internal fungal infections.

Direct contact with feces can also cause infections, such as when fecal dust or droppings get inside a wound or cut. The wound site becomes red, puffy and pus-filled. Antibiotics are often needed to cure the infection. In some rare cases, infection of the blood (septis) or internal infection can also occur, causing serious illness or death. Proper attire must always be worn around bird droppings, and special care used when cleaning a bird site or installing bird control products. If a cut or injury occurs, thoroughly wash and disinfect the wound and cover with a sterile bandage to minimize risk of infection.

Parasites harbored by pest birds like ticks, fleas, mites and mosquitoes, etc., are a key component in the spread of infectious diseases. Parasites transfer diseases by biting an infected animal and sucking in blood containing the germ, then passes the germ along when it bites its next victim. Over forty types of parasites often live either on birds, in their nests or in places they roost. They are responsible for the transmission of several hundred viral and bacterial agents including: plague, encephalitis, pox and meningitis. Paradoxically, this threat can be aggravated when bird control products are installed if the installer does not thoroughly clean and disinfect the site with a hospital-grade disinfectant to eradicate the parasites. If they do not clean the site when the birds are excluded, mites, fleas, ticks, etc., will seek a new host, often the human inhabitants in the area. Therefore, a proper bird control project will always include parasite extermination and thorough cleaning of the entire site.

Damage Caused by Pest Birds

Pest birds are responsible for tens of millions of dollars of damage every year to buildings, machinery, automobiles, roofs, ventilation systems and much more. Accumulated bird droppings and nesting materials cause a host of physical problems, sometimes very serious in nature, if not corrected immediately. Besides the liability concern of people slipping and falling on droppings that gather on walkways, bird droppings and nesting materials are responsible for a host of other types of property and structural damage as well.
Bird droppings are very acidic in composition and "eat" away at many substrates, especially tar-based roofing materials. Piled bird droppings on roofs can wear through many types of material, eventually causing leaks. The life expectancy of a composite roof can be cut in half by just a light, but continuous, application of bird droppings. Pigeon, starling and sparrow nests are often built in rain gutters, drains and the corners of roofs where drains are located. Each year buildings of all types experience damage and occasionally, in extreme cases, roof collapses, when drainage systems are blocked with bird nests and droppings and standing water rises to a level the roof cannot support.

Bird droppings and nesting materials frequently cause damage to air conditioning equipment, machinery, siding, insulation, etc. Besides damaging equipment, people around these areas are exposed to a potentially dangerous health-risk any time they work on or around the machinery. Nesting materials are often very flammable due to their construction of straw, twigs and dried droppings and when birds build their nests near air conditioning units and other machinery there is a definite risk of fire. Most bird droppings, especially pigeon and sea gull, fade automobile and other paint finishes by eating into the protective coating and the paint itself. The longer the droppings are allowed to sit on the paint, the more damage is done.

Chimneys and ventilation systems are favorite nesting spots for some birds and can potentially spread diseases through the air duct system, as well as blocking airflow. This can have horrible consequences like in 1995 when a family of five in Cleveland was killed by carbon monoxide poisoning when their fireplace exhaust was blocked by bird nests.

Attics of houses, apartments, and other buildings are favorite nesting places for many birds, especially pigeons. They enter through openings broken or never sealed off in the first place, and set up home in these protected areas, building nests and defecating. These areas have little or no exposure to sunlight or airflow, magnifying the potential spread of disease since bacteria harbored in the birds' excrement and nesting materials thrive under these conditions. Damage to the structure, insulation and any items stored in the vicinity can be costly, and often the foul odors that develop can be overwhelming. More than once the weight of droppings from a large number of resident birds has become so great that the ceiling has actually collapsed. In addition, droppings and nesting materials on or around a building send a message to neighbors that building is not properly maintained.

How to Handle Pest Bird Problems

First and foremost, bird infestations should be taken seriously, but not irrationally. When evaluating a health risk potential, look for the following: droppings or nesting materials inside air vents, birds around food or water containers/areas, or large amounts of droppings in enclosed areas. These are the types of situations where disease can spread. Remember, pigeons walking around a park bench is not necessarily cause for panic, but twenty birds living inside an attic could pose a health and damage concern requiring action.

Second, permanent barriers that actually deter birds from remaining at the site should be installed to keep birds from returning to the area. Examples of these products would be: bird netting, bird spikes, post & wire products, etc. Audio/ visual products such as screech owls, balloons, and audible sound products (not ultrasonic -- birds hear the same way humans do) can be effective against certain species (but not pigeons!) that are not nesting at the site. There are a number of companies and websites out there that specialize in bird control products such as Bird Barrier America, BirdSpikes.net and BirdBusters to name a few.

Third, when cleaning the site and installing bird control products, the proper precautions must be taken. Respirators, goggles and protective clothing should always be used when cleaning up bird sites, particularly in enclosed areas out of the sun with large amounts of droppings and nesting material.

Finally, once the birds are removed it is crucial to exterminate all the ectoparasites and thoroughly disinfect the site to prevent the migration of bacteria and parasites. Then you can be sure they will not move to a new host, like other animals in the area or even humans, once the birds are gone.

Bird control is something that should be planned in the budget if possible by building managers, as are other types of pest control. Generally, the earlier a problem is detected, the easier it is to solve, since the birds have not had a lot of time to become committed to the site. Control methods are available on the market that are effective and affordable, and installing them generally saves you time and money long-term, as it reduces the clean-up time and associated replacement costs which can mount quickly when a number of birds are present. Companies like Bird Barrier offer toll free phone consultations at (800) 503-5444 and have certified bird control product installers across the nation to assist in solving any bird problem.

With over 10 years of experience researching and documenting bird control problems and solutions, Monique Thorsell is considered an expert consultant for companies in the bird control industry like Bird Barrier America, Bird Busters and others.

Steps to Control Bird Flu outbreaks

As bird flu maintained its relentless march across the globe spreading the deadly H5N1 virus strains it has of late become the latest scare factor to have hit the world. Though the bird flu strain spread across the borders are attributed to factors primarily like the migratory birds who are the likely carriers of the virus, the poultry birds are the easy victims to be infected with flu virus through contaminated saliva, nasal secretions and faeces. So far, human cases have been blamed on direct contact with infected chickens and their droppings. A latest study on the bird flu virus has found the reason why bird flu doesn't spread easily in humans. The research says that, the virus prefers to infect cells in the lungs instead of areas like the nose and the windpipe, so its not easily coughed or sneezed out into the air. On a global statistics, more than 180 people are known to have been infected with the virus strain H5N1 and they all have been virtually believed to have caught it from infected poultry. But scientists have long warned that the virus, which is prone to mutation, could transform into a version that is spread easily from person to person. Unlike normal seasonal influenza, where infection causes only mild respiratory symptoms in most people, the disease caused by H5N1 follows an unusually aggressive clinical course, with rapid deterioration and high fatality.

The World Health Organization recommends rapid elimination of the H5N1 virus among infected birds and other animals to help prevent further spread of the virus and reduce opportunities for human infection. This is done by culling infected birds and vaccinating poultry around the infested area to create a buffer zone which is essential in preventing a major outbreak. Till date there are no drugs which can claim for sure shot cure to bird flu in human cases. But, the World Health Organization (WHO) has mentioned Tamiflu as the drug for tackling bird flu if ever a human pandemic breaks out. The FDA has approved Tamiflu (generic Oseltamivir phosphate) belonging to a class of drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors for the treatment of bird flu. When the flu virus enters the host cells with the help of the protein and multiplies, Tamiflu inhibits this protein preventing the virus from spreading by destroying the virus at its source. It can help prevent flu in case you have been exposed to people infected with flu. An older generic flu drug, the M2 inhibitors Amantadine could potentially be used against pandemic influenza. But some currently circulating H5N1 strains are fully resistant to these the M2 inhibitors. However, should a new virus emerge through re-assortment, the M2 inhibitors might be effective. The international effort to prevent the spread of bird flu is multifaceted, focusing on the health of both birds and humans. It is necessary for the human community to rise for safeguarding the causes behind the outbreak of bird flu.

Hayley Stubbs, an associated editor to Eupharma.co.uk , is a contributing author to the http://www.eupharma.co.uk for distinct article sites/journals. Please feel free to visit http://www.eupharma.co.uk for more information on General Health related issues. Or write to him AT hayley.stubbs@gmail.com. Any comments and /or suggestions will be highly appreciated. Please note that this article is not a substitute for medical advice

Get Ready for a Bird Flu Pandemic

Health experts worldwide are concerned the bird flu virus at present affecting mainly birds could change so as to pass from humans to humans, then quickly spread globally. Millions of people would become ill, some seriously so - including health professionals we look to for help.

So far there have been well over 100 cases of human infection from the H5N1 virus in birds, many of whom have died. No instance of infection from human to human has yet been proved. There are pessimists around saying there's nothing we can do if a pandemic starts. These sentiments should be ignored because there are practical steps we can take right now to ready ourselves should a pandemic eventuate. So what can we do?

1. Learn what you can about the virus and what effect it may have on those who catch it. This would include ordinary influenza-like symptoms - sore throat, fever, muscle pains, cough, sweating, lassitude. There could be progression into acute respiratory failure in some people which would be fatal in a high percentage with this complication.

2.Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit. This is similar to kits people already have in some parts of the world in readiness for disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods. A kit for a flu pandemic should contain:
(a)Enough tinned food/dried food to last 2-3 weeks, because it would be wise for many of us to isolate ourselves and our families for that length of time.
(b)Paracetamol. A generous supply of face masks and tissues. Plastic bags for used tissues and face masks. (Antiviral Tamiflu & Antibiotics - watch expiry dates).
(c)Radio and torch with spare batteries in case of power cuts.
(d)Activities such as - games, magazines, books, sports equipment.

3.Planning to Cope in a Pandemic.
(a) Hygiene. Wash hands frequently for half a minute before preparing or eating food, after caring for a sick person or blowing your nose, or wiping the nose of a child. Used tissues and face masks should be disposed of immediately and put into a plastic bag. Keep a distance of at least one arm's length from a sick peson if possible, Both patient and carer should be wearing a face mask.
(b) How might you help a relative or neighbour living on their own?
(c) To whom would you call for help should you yourself become sick?
(d) How would your business cope if you were home for three or four weeks? Do you have insurance cover?
(e) What precautions would you take if you had to go out in public - if you needed to buy necessities, or if you are a health worker for example.

It is not known for certain if the avian bird flu virus will mutate so as to spread from human to human, but at least we can prepare ourselves should it become an eventuality.

 Retired Medical Practioner who is trying to raise funds for TEAR Fund on his website - e-BookWorld.Biz. He is not finding it as easy to raise a buck as some hyper-enthusiasts claim!

Why Bird Flu Is Not A Pandemic

Most people are aware of the threat of bird flu and the possibility of it creating a pandemic, a worldwide epidemic of an infectious disease breaking out and affecting a large geographic region. Although the virus affects an extensive geographic region, this virus has not yet reached pandemic proportions.

According to the World Health Organization, in order for a pandemic to occur, three conditions must be met: the emergence of a disease new to a population, the agent affects humans and causes serious illness, and the agent spreads easily and sustainably among humans.

The first of these three, "the emergence of a disease new to a population" has occurred. Although bird flu is in no way a new disease, as it was first identified in the early 1900's, it was not infectious to humans until the late 1990's. Therefore, this particular strain has emerged "new to a population", being the human population, which was previously unaffected by the disease.

Likewise, the second criterion has been met, "the agent affects humans and causes serious illness". The virus has infected 131 people and killed 68. Therefore, the severity of the disease is apparent. H5N1 causes an exaggerated response in cytokines, hormones that regulate the immune system, therefore, limiting the effectiveness of the body's ability to fight the infection. This virus is also partially resistant to other cells of the immune system, making it especially resilient.

The third condition has not been met, however. At this point, the virus does not spread easily and sustainably among humans. Currently, the H5N1 virus is only transmitted from poultry to humans, and is not able to pass through human contact. Unfortunately, the virus is mutating and may be able to do so in future months, increasing the speed and efficiency in which it spreads.

Human to human transmission has been suspected, though not confirmed. Several isolated cases in which the cause of infection was not clear have prompted questions of the virus being passed through human contact. In particular, cases of nurses becoming infected after treating patients, children being infected with no poultry contact, and parents being infected after treating children with the disease. However, until confirmation is attainable that the virus has mutated to the point human transmission is possible, the third criterion will not be satisfied and H5N1 will not be classified as a pandemic. Likewise, the fatality rate will also have to increase to change the classification of bird flu.

Sarah is an acclaimed writer on medical matters, and has written extensively on the subjects of Attention Deficit Disorder, Bird Flu and Cohn's Disease. For more of her articles, go to http://www.imedicalvillage.com now.