Since 2003 poultry and other birds have been continuously affected by the bird flu virus. Humans also got affected and it seems that since 16 January 2007, 267 cases of human bird flu infection were registered. These patients got into close contact with infected birds and that is why they got infected too. 161 persons from the group of 267 did not survive the contamination.
Until now scientists declared that the virus is still unable to transmit from human to human, but the population is still concerned about the avian flu as there is a possibility for the virus to mix with a human flu virus and then pass from human to human.
All viruses have the possibility to mutate or mix with other viruses and transform in to more dangerous ones. In case this thing happens a global pandemic can occur and millions of people will die if researchers do not fid an effective vaccine soon.
Until now governments have instituted flu immunization programs to protect those who work with poultry and can contact the virus if the poultry is affected.
This vaccination program is voluntary but until now all the personnel from the poultry industry has presented for a shot. This vaccine is protecting humans from catching the flu human type of virus and so it reduces the possibility for the bird flu virus to mix with a human virus and transform into a more dangerous one. This seasonal flu vaccination does not protect humans against the bird flu virus.
As scientists tell us the bird flu is a disease which affects birds and is highly contagious among them. It is produced by the influenza A viruses. Birds can be mild affected by some viruses and so they develop only mild symptoms, but they can also be severe affected by other viruses which lead to their death. It seems that the bird flu virus is one of the most pathogenic strains of virus that can affect a bird.
The virus is shed in feathers, droppings and secretions of birds and so it can easily spread to other birds and even humans through inhalation or ingestion.
The most affected birds are the poultry. It seems that the wild birds like ducks and geese are the carriers of the virus but they do not have any symptoms of the illness. These birds are spreading the virus to the poultry which will develop the disease as they are more vulnerable to epidemics.
The influenza A virus has many different subtypes. The H5 subtypes along with the H5N1 are considered to be quite dangerous and are a threat to humans. The H7 and H9 also caused severe infections in poultry but none of them was as dangerous as H5N1 is.
The outbreak of H5N1 began in mid-December 2003 in poultry from South Korea and until now it has affected birds from Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa. This virus resembles very much with the one that caused a lot of damage among poultry in 1997 in Hong Kong.
The world governments have instituted controls in order to prevent illegal importation of dead poultry, of living birds or illegal entries of ill persons in certain countries.
For more information about bird flu or even about asian bird flu please review this page http://www.bird-flu-info-center.com/asian-bird-flu.htm
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Will rum kill stomach flu
By: Roann | 01-05-2008
If someone brings the stomach flu into the house, do you think drinking a shot of straight rum will kill it? I tried it, we'll see!
Travel in Pakistan safe with new bird flu outbreak?
By: climbingstitch | 16-12-2007
Is it still safe to travel to Pakistan with this new outbreak of the bird flu in humans? Should I wait until this situation is resolved before I travel to Pakistan? I wanted to see Pakistan at the same time as my India trip.
Urban agriculture and public health
By: schlissel | 06-01-2007
I heard about urban agriculture and I think it's great, but how safe is it? For example, growing chickens in the city could make the bird flu epidemic much more dangerous, couldn't it?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Health Articles
Six Steps To Avoid Yeast Infection (Candida)
By: Bradley Smith | 06/10/2008
Yeast infections can not only be embarrassing but can have dreadful affects. Learn how to take control of this annoying fungus and get your body back under control !
Smart Tips For Weight Loss
By: Matt Chang | 06/10/2008
There isn't a magic bullet for losing weight. It's really a numbers game.
The Reality Of Sinister Black Mold Mischief
By: Aydan Corkern | 06/10/2008
This common spore can cause untold damage if not kept in check.
Tips on How to Lose Weight Fast and Effortlessly
By: Shakil Zaman | 06/10/2008
Being overweight can be a great burden and finding a way to get back to a normal and healthy weight can make a big difference in your life. The consequences of excess weight include lack of energy, loss of self esteem and confidence just to name a few. Unfortunately there...
Heart Rate Monitors - Why Should I Use One?
By: John Vanse | 06/10/2008
What is a Heart Rate Monitor?
Sometimes called a cardiac monitor, a heart monitor is an electronic device that is used to continuously track your heart rate. Using this information you can determine the target heart rate at which you will maximize the cardiac benefits from your exercise. There are more...
Why Cabbage is a Very Important Vegetable?
By: W. Darren - | 06/10/2008
The vegetable cabbage is very easy to grow and is readily available in the market. It is cultivated in most countries worldwide just like other common cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts and cauliflower which are part of our day to day cooking. Cabbage is famous for its nutritional values,...
College Student and ADHD Medication Abuse Facts to Ponder
By: Jimmy Brownen | 06/10/2008
A study done in 2007 shows that misuse and abuse of medication prescribed by ADHD is fast becoming a nationwide problem. This study had participations of nearly 11000 4th year students from colleges all over the US. These students we promised that their identity will be concealed to ensure honest...
Top 10 Sunblock Tips
By: Sanjib Sarkar | 06/10/2008
Sunblock is used by many people to help prevent sun burn and skin cancer. Recently, many sunblocks came under attack for not protecting people from skin cancer and sun burn. Federal Drug Administration in the US does not have any standard for sunblock proetection as of now. ...
More from Groshan Fabiola
What is a Tenant Loan?
By: Groshan Fabiola | 30/09/2008 | Loans
Homeowners have many advantages compared to non-homeowners. One of the main advantages is that because they own a home of their own, they have an asset that they can use as collateral should they wish to apply for a loan
Identity Management Business U.k
By: Groshan Fabiola | 30/09/2008 | Management
Let us get a fair and clear idea about what identity management is all about. Identity management is an administration related work, where key responsibility area of the team is to identify individuals in a system from a country or a network or an enterprise, and then keep a watch on their activities and control their access to resources within the system by associating user rights and restrictions, with the established identity
A Few Great Landscaping Tips
By: Groshan Fabiola | 30/09/2008 | Landscaping
Landscaping has become an art with many companies offering to transform the inside and outside of a home from the kitchen to the garden patio
All You Need to Know About Secretarial Jobs, Admin Jobs and Office Jobs
By: Groshan Fabiola | 30/09/2008 | Human Resources
Secretarial jobs, admin jobs and office jobs do not involve sitting behind a desk as the common perception suggests
Great Information on Accounting Jobs and Banking Jobs
By: Groshan Fabiola | 30/09/2008 | Human Resources
Businesses are looking for a specific type of employee in their financial recruitment drive. Accounting jobs, banking jobs and other employment opportunities require a particular kind of person in addition to the relevant qualifications
Ancestry Testing: Who’s Your Daddy’s Grand Daddy and Beyond?
By: Groshan Fabiola | 30/09/2008 | Genealogy
It’s not often that scientific testing becomes the ‘in’ thing, but in recent years, a collective search for a deeper identity has driven large numbers of people to have ancestry tests taken
Top 5 Misconceptions About Dna Testing
By: Groshan Fabiola | 30/09/2008 | Genealogy
An increase in stories in the media about many uses for dna tests has caught the public attention in a big way
Army Life Insurance 101: are You Getting What You Need?
By: Groshan Fabiola | 30/09/2008 | Insurance
If you have recently joined the army, chances are you might be both excited and anxious about what lies ahead
Health 
| Posted: 19-03-2007 | Comments: 
