Bird flu, also known as the avian influenza flu is one of the most recent worldwide health scare that is making its way all over the world. Avian bird flu is caused by the H5N1 virus, which naturally occurs in birds. Birds in the wild, all over the world, carry the virus in their intestines, although they rarely become ill from it.
The Avian bird flu however, is very contagious among birds and can spread to domesticated birds such as ducks and chickens and kills them. The bird flu is transmitted though saliva, nasal secretions and feces. Usually the bird flu is only transmitted from bird to bird, but cases have now been widely reported since 1997 of the flu being transmitted from bird to human, with cases reported of human-to-human transmission, although the virus has not infected more than one person in those cases.
Avian Bird Flu viruses are always changing, and over time may develop into a strain that can be transmitted from human to human to human, in which case we would be faced with a global pandemic of devastating proportions
Role of migratory birds
Scientists are increasingly convinced that at least some migratory waterfowl are now carrying the H5N1 virus in its highly pathogenic form, sometimes over long distances, and introducing the virus to poultry flocks in areas that lie along their migratory routes. Evidence supporting this altered role began to emerge in mid-2005 and has since been strengthened.
The die-off of more than 6000 migratory birds, infected with the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus that began at the Qinghai Lake nature reserve in central China in late April 2005 was highly unusual and probably unprecedented. Prior to that event, wild bird deaths from highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses were rare, usually occurring as isolated cases found within the flight distance of a poultry outbreak.
Transmission through humans
The virus can improve its transmissibility among humans via two principal mechanisms. The first is a resentment's event, in which genetic material is exchanged between human and avian viruses during co-infection of a human or pig. Resentment could result in a fully transmissible pandemic virus, announced by a sudden surge of cases with explosive spread.
The second mechanism is a more gradual process of adaptive mutation, whereby the capability of the virus to bind to human cells increases during subsequent infections of humans. Adaptive mutation, expressed initially as small clusters of human cases with some evidence of human-to-human transmission, would probably give the world some time to take defensive action, if detected sufficiently early.
Spread of the virus in different countries
The outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza that began in Southeast Asia in mid-2003 and have now spread to a few parts of Europe are the largest and most severe on record.
To date, nine Asian countries have reported outbreaks (listed in order of reporting): the Republic of Korea, Viet Nam, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Indonesia, China, and Malaysia. Of these, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Malaysia have controlled their outbreaks and are now considered free of the disease.
The H5N1 virus has caused by far the greatest number of human cases of very severe disease and the greatest number of deaths. The H5N1 virus if given enough opportunities will develop the characteristics it needs to start influenza pandemic.
Symptoms Of The Flu Virus
Eventually the virus popped back out during 2003. It has first greatly affected a whole number of birds. The birds that became infected died really fast after showing signs of symptoms. The virus also spread quickly towards other flocks as well, causing them to die to.
The people who have had lots of exposure with this infected domesticated birds, naturally became the first human casualties. In fact, the infected have reached 140 in five years time in the Far eats. Eventually killing more than 50 people infected.
What is scaring the scientists now are the recent developments of the bird flu in Turkey. They fear that the virus may have already mutated and the transmission from one human to the other has now been possible. This is because in the span of a week, 15 people were reported to be infected already.
That development definitely scared the officials in Europe. It should also be causing major concern to other countries as well. Neighboring countries are becoming stricter on trucks that are coming from Turkey. The vehicles that pass by are being sprayed with disinfectant.
France has already released a budget to buy vaccines, antiviral and face masks.
However all these preparation being done may still not be that be helpful. The best way to prevent the pandemic from happening is to learn how to isolate the infected area. This is important because the virus may still escape via a human transport or a bird that may cause more contamination.
To calm people down, the number of 15 within a week is not much for concern. If the number reaches more than a 100, it shall be a cause for concern.
There are also many critics about the current medication available to help against bird flu. They say that the medication may not really be helpful and stockpiling it is just a waste of money.
The vaccine as of now may still be imperfect, but it does help a person a better chance to get through with the flu.
As of the moment, since we have no idea if this virus could become the next pandemic or just a big bust. What's important is that we try to live a healthier lifestyle. Maybe that's what this virus is all about anyway. It's just telling us that maybe we should change our lifestyle into a healthier one.
Michael Colucci has sinced written about articles on various topics from Credit Cards, Mortgage and Pets. Michael Colucci is a technical writer for Bird Flu Facts - A free site that offers facts on the history, prevention, vaccines and more on the Bird Flu Virus.. Michael Colucci's top article generates over 74000 views. Bookmark Michael Colucci to your Favourites.
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