Most Popular Avian Flu Articles
Will the avian flu cause a disaster similar to the Spanish flu of 1918 that killed more than fifty million people in the world? Avian flu or avian influenza is spreading at an alarming rate and it is
The Avian Influenza: What is it? The avian influenza virus, also known as the bird flu, is often carried by wild birds. The virus does not kill its wild carriers, as their immune systems have been hon
Fear of an Avian Flu pandemic has reached epic proportions and with good reason. If it becomes a fully mutated strain that is easily transmittable between humans, the result of this sickness on the hu
Avian influenza virus usually refers to influenza A viruses found mainly in birds, but infections can occur in humans. The risk is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans.
As some of you will know, I first started writing about Avian or Bird Flu in May, 2005, since then it has spread to more countries, with the latest being the continent of Africa, namely Nigeria just announced, Turkey and Romania where there has been a number of deaths in the last few weeks.
Avian influenza viruses are usually type A viruses found mainly in birds, but infections can occur in humans. Not all bird flu strains produce serious illness, but the current H5N1 strain is unusually pathogenic and has been shown to be transmissible to humans.
Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few months, you've heard the buzz: bird flu, avian flu, pandemic. Heck, even Ted Koppel admitted he's been doing outside reading on the Flu's origin. What does it all mean? Is it really cause for concern?
A number of countries are reporting cases of avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu?in their domestic and wild bird populations. The H5N1 strain of influenza causes severe disease in domesticated fowl.
The Avian flu is a virus carried by birds and spread through their feces and other secretions. Those most at risk are people who come into contact with infected birds. Of the people who have been infected, many are from families that keep chickens around the home.
Avian flu is spreading rapidly in the bird population, but it is still extremely difficult for humans to become infected. According to Dr. Sherry Cooper, Chief Economist, BMO Nesbitt Burns, there is a good deal of misinformation triggering unnecessary fear and economic cost.
An influenza pandemic of even moderate impact will result in the biggest single human disaster ever - far greater than AIDS, 9/11, all wars in the 20th century and the recent tsunami combined. It has the potential to redirect world history as the Black Death redirected European history in the 14th century.
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