Introduction to the Bird Flu
Technically, the bird flu has been around for a very long time in aquatic bird species; however, the first H5N1 outbreak was initially detected in geese in China in 1996. Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by a type A strain of the influenza virus. Most species of wild birds that carry this disease show no apparent signs of infection or harm. This disease occurs worldwide, and other bird species, including domestic poultry, develop disease when infected with avian influenza virus. These influenza viruses are usually species-specific, which means that viruses that infect an individual species stick to that species. Since 1959, instances of human infection with an avian influenza virus have been only documented on 10 occasions. Nevertheless, this strain of influenza is steadily advancing throughout the world and potentially carries with it enormous risks to mankind. Those risks can be minimized with proper knowledge of the nature of the disease. Here you'll find a series of informative articles to help educate you and provide ideas and guidance about the many aspects of bird flu. A few selected articles are posted below.
Selected Articles:
The History of Bird Flu in the U.S.
With the threat of a possible bird flu pandemic, many Americans are wondering how it will affect the United States, how and where it has already affected the country, and what they can do to protect themselves.
People Who Pose the Greatest Risk of Contracting and Dying from the Bird Flu
There is several risk groups associated with the avian influenza virus that should be extra cautious in the case of an outbreak or bird flu pandemic.
Where the Bird Flu Got Its Infamous Start
The bird flu has technically been around for a very long time in aquatic bird species; however, the first H5N1 outbreak was first seen in geese in China in 1996.
The Evolving Virus - Why the Avian Flu Has Not Made a Huge Impact on Humans
When looking at the big picture, the Bird flu is still considered to be very rare and the resulting deaths have been small.
Outlining the Differences Between Bird Flu and Human Flu
The bird flu can be deadly to birds and humans, because the virus is able to infect both.
See More Articles
Other Bird Flu Resources:
Centers for Disease Control - About Avian Flu
Bird Flu - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Avian Influenze - World Health Organization
Bird Flu - National Institutes of Health
Bird flu (avian influenza)- Mayo Clinic
Latest News About Bird Flu:
Avian Influenza On People's Minds
Researchers at the Food Policy Institute at the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station have conducted a nationwide survey of public knowledge, attitudes, intentions and behaviors related to the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The researchers conducted a total of 1200 telephone interviews on the topic between May 3 and June 5, 2006.The results suggest that avian influenza is on the national agenda. [click link for full article] Computer Model Maps Efficient Inoculation Of Hospital Staff In Pandemic Outbreak
Community preparedness for a bioterrorism attack or influenza outbreak has been the focus of much interest and effort in recent years. Now, public health experts at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center have developed a strategy for how hospitals can most efficiently inoculate their own staff with minimal disruption to patient care. [click link for full article] Public Health Emergencies Require Urgent Advice From The WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a new mechanism, described in this week's PLoS Medicine, for issuing urgent guidelines to health professionals in a public health emergency such as an infectious disease outbreak. The first rapidly issued guideline was developed by the WHO in order to advise countries that were dealing with avian influenza A (H5N1) infection. [click link for full article] Indonesia Reports Experiencing Human H5N1 Mortality Increase, As Predicted Last Year By Replikins' FluForecast(R) Quantitative Virus Analysis
The results published in 2006 by Replikins, Ltd. showed that 2005-2006 FluForecast(R) virus data indicated clearly that 1) the mortality rate of human H5N1 was increasing markedly, and that 2) the first country in which this would be clinically realized would be Indonesia. Two days ago, Bayu Krisnamurthi, the head of Indonesia's avian flu control commission, reported the clinical realization of both of these two predictions (Canadian Press, June 6, 2007). [click link for full article] Engineer Who Survived Pandemic Of '68 Creates Model To Track Outbreak
Nearly 40 years ago, MIT Professor Richard Larson spent a week sick in bed with the worst illness he'd ever had-the particularly virulent strain of flu that swept the globe in 1968. "That was the sickest I'd ever been," Larson recalled. "I really thought that was the end." It took him two or three months to recover fully from the illness. [click link for full article]
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