Scientific Facts about Avian Influenza

For more than a century, bird flu has circulated among birds, particularly domesticated fowl, but the new subtype A (H5N1) first appeared in 1997, the strain which can infect humans. The virus has strengthened and mutated, resulting in a contagion that can move from bird to human- but not yet from human to human. There is concern that if the virus infects someone who is already infected with a human flu virus, then a new highly virulent strain could result, that can be transmitted human to human.

Human cases of bird flu have caused infections and death across the globe as scientists struggle to identify the dangerous strains and prevent a fatal pandemic. About 20 million birds have been slaughtered in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus, which spreads by air, water, and soil. So far the virus can be caught only by people who are working with infected fowl, or in contact with infected rivers, poultry processing plants, etc. About 100 cases of the disease have been reported, resulting in about 50 deaths.

The symptoms range from fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches to eye infections (conjunctivitis), pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia, and other severe and life-threatening complications.

Most health experts researching and fighting the incidence of human bird flu do not have an optimistic outlook. It is especially dangerous to humans as our immune system does not have the antibodies to handle something that used to be relegated to animals.

So far, doctors have been ineffective at treating the resultant respiratory infection, which can lead to fatalities as it takes hold with unprecedented force, settles in the lungs, and resists anti-viral and anti-bacterial medication.

About the Author

Kunbi Balogun
AllergyMatters.com
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