History of the Avian Flu
“Avian flu” is a collective name for
a variety of viruses that occur naturally among birds.
While these viruses typically affect, infect, and
are often fatal to birds, they may at times mutate
to infect humans. Generally carried by wild birds,
the bird flu is extremely contagious among bird populations
and can make domesticated birds – including
chickens, ducks and turkeys – fatally ill.
In the 20th century, there were three influenza outbreaks.
In 1918, 40 million people died worldwide; 2 million
people died in 1957; and 700,000 people died in 1968.
The sharp decline in death rates is due primarily
to advances in hygiene and medicine.
Since 1997, there have been numerous cases of human
infections from the avian flu virus. Caused by the
H5N1 strain of the virus, these infections are the
result of direct contact with infected poultry or
contaminated surfaces at venues such as live bird
markets. Unconfirmed reports of the spread of avian
flu viruses from one ill person to another remain
very rare, and transmission has not been observed
to continue beyond one person (except in closely related
family members who handle live birds).
This recent avian flu activity originated in Southeast
Asia, with the first human cases confirmed in Vietnam,
followed by Thailand, Cambodia, China, and Indonesia.
Since then, human cases of avian flu have been confirmed
in Africa and the Middle East. Non-human cases of
the H5N1 virus infecting birds have been confirmed
throughout most of the eastern hemisphere. The spread
of the disease has developed quickly over the past
few years and is expected to continue.
Organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, World Health Organization and the
European Center for Disease Prevention and Control
monitor the avian flu situation as it affects new
countries around the world. They also offer the most
current and accurate information available regarding
the global status of avian flu. Perhaps most importantly,
these organizations help governments formulate preparedness
plans for a flu pandemic. For more information on
the pandemic plan for a specific country, please visit
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/nationalpandemic/en/index.html
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