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:
GlaxoSmithKline To Make Unprecedented Vaccine Donation To WHO Pandemic Flu Stockpile
GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) today announced its intention to donate 50 million doses of H5N1 adjuvanted pre-pandemic influenza vaccine to the World Health Organization (WHO) in support of its stockpile initiative. The donation will help establish a much needed stockpile of pre-pandemic vaccines that can be distributed to the world's poorest countries at short notice by the WHO. [click link for full article] FDA Finalizes Guidances For Pandemic And Seasonal Influenza Vaccines
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued final recommendations to increase the supply of safe and effective influenza vaccines for both seasonal and pandemic use. FDA's goal with the guidances is to outline the regulatory pathways for the rapid development and approval of these products. "FDA continues its commitment to help increase the supply of influenza vaccines and support the development of new approaches to vaccine production," said Jesse L. [click link for full article] Novavax Pandemic Flu Vaccine Provided Protection Against A Lethal Challenge Of Live Virus, Pre-Clinical Data Show
Very low doses of Novavax Inc.'s pandemic influenza vaccine provided protection against a lethal challenge of live H5N1 viruses, according to pre-clinical data presented here today at the Second International Conference on Avian Influenza in Humans. The data show that two 0.6 microgram doses of Novavax's virus-like particle (VLP) H5N1 vaccine -- without the addition of an adjuvant -- protected ferrets from challenges with live H5N1 bird flu viruses. [click link for full article] Monoclonal Neutralizing Antibodies Show Promise Against Avian Flu
Starting with blood of patients who survived a bout of avian flu (infection with the H5N1 strain), Cameron Simmons (of the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) and colleagues generated neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies and show that they can halt viral growth in mice deliberately infected with H5N1 virus. [click link for full article] Poorer Countries Could Struggle To Implement New International Health Regulations
Poorer countries could struggle to implement the new International Health Regulations (IHR) about to be brought into force, says an Editorial in this week's edition of The Lancet.The aim of IHR, which goes live on June 15, is to prevent national public health emergencies from spreading internationally. [click link for full article]
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