Avian Bird Flu

Bird Flu Facts

Bird flu is an infection caused by avian influenza viruses. These viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their bodies, but usually don't themselves get sick. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can infect some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, making them very sick even kill them.

Human Flu Infections

Bird Flu has in fact transfered between humans, but only very rarely and it hasn't transfered further than the first person. They don't tell you about that on the TV here in the UK. Most of the infections of avian influenza in humans have come about through contact with infected bird droppings, excretions either from the birds themselves or contaminated surfaces.

How is bird flu in humans treated?

Studies done in laboratories suggest that the prescription medicines approved for human flu viruses should work in preventing bird flu infection in humans. However, flu viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work. Additional studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of these medicines.

Is there a vaccine to protect humans from H5N1 virus?

There currently is no commercially available vaccine to protect humans against the H5N1 virus that is being seen in Asia and Europe . However, vaccine development efforts are taking place.

The Influenza Pandemic of 1918

The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than the Great War, known today as World War I (WWI), at somewhere between 20 and 40 million people. It has been cited as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history. More people died of influenza in a single year than in four-years of the Black Death Bubonic Plague from 1347 to 1351. Known as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe" the influenza of 1918-1919 was a global disaster.

Preparing for the Next Influenza Pandemic

Many scientists believe it is only a matter of time until the next influenza pandemic occurs. The severity of the next pandemic cannot be predicted, but modeling studies suggest that the impact of a pandemic on the United States could be substantial. In the absence of any control measures (vaccination or drugs), it has been estimated that in the United States a “medium–level” pandemic could cause 89,000 to 207,000 deaths, 314,000 and 734,000 hospitalizations, 18 to 42 million outpatient visits, and another 20 to 47 million people being sick. Between 15% and 35% of the U.S. population could be affected by an influenza pandemic, and the economic impact could range between $71.3 and $166.5 billion. Pandemic source info