| Bird
flu
Commonly known as bird flu Avian Influenza
is caused by various influenza viruses. The virus of bird flu is
highly transmittable among birds and can be passed on to other bird
species as well which includes domesticated birds such as chickens,
and ducks, where it can cause flu symptoms.
Avian influenza is a transmittable disease of birds
caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. The influence of
Avian Flu viruses is not common in species except
for birds and pigs but the incident occurring in Hongkong in 1997
shocked the whole world. The H5N1 virus affected
18 people out of which 6 died. H5N1 is of particular concern for
several reasons.
H5N1 is a mutating virus and it has in it the propensity to acquire
genes from viruses infecting other animal species. Its ability to
cause severe disease in humans has now been acknowledged on two
occasions. Studies reveal that isolates from this virus have a high
pathogenicity and can cause severe disease in humans
According to The World health Organization, the
Bird Flu virus is known as the single largest threat to humanity.
A bird flu occurrence may happen at any time. Conditions are now
ready for an occurrence that could make SARS seem domestic in comparison.
According to the World Health Organization bird
flu can really become a pandemic taking around 30 million people
under its grasp. The disease in humans has no vaccine to confer
protection and no specific treatment once illness becomes strict.
Avian influenza or bird flu can lead to perilous
consequences which are entirely different from that of seasonal
influenza; seasonal influenza causes only mild respiratory symptoms
in most people whereas the disease caused by H5N1 follows an unusually
aggressive clinical course, with rapid deterioration and high fatality.
Primary viral pneumonia and multi-organ failure are common.
Experts claim that Tamiflu can be a very effective
against Avian Influenza. The results of a recent study reveal that
Tamiflu has the capability to block the strain that is hitting Asian
countries. Tamiflu can emerge as a savior if human pandemic
breaks out.
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Bird
Flu cases in Indonesia and Japan
April 14, 2006
Avian
flu is any flu caused by a virus adapted to birds. It
is also called bird flu, avian influenza and bird influenza.
WHO has confirmed Indonesia's 33rd case of bird flu... |
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