Bird Flu (Avian Influenza)

Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) Main Page

Avian Flu (Avian Influenza)

Overview

Viruses are masters of interspecies navigation. Mutating rapidly and often grabbing the genetic material of other viruses, they can jump from animals to humans with a quick flick of their DNA. Sometimes, as in West Nile fever, the transfer occurs through an intermediate host such as a mosquito. But viruses can also make the leap directly.

Since the 1980s, the list of diseases that have hitchhiked directly from animals to people has grown rapidly — hantavirus, SARS, monkeypox and, most recently, avian influenza, commonly called bird flu. With the exception of HIV/AIDS, perhaps none of these illnesses has more potential to create widespread harm than bird flu does.

In people, bird flu usually begins much like conventional influenza, with fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches, but bird flu can lead to life-threatening complications.

So far, bird flu is hard for humans to contract, but health officials warn a major flu outbreak could occur if the virus mutates into a form that can spread easily from person to person. The grimmest scenario would be a global epidemic to rival the flu pandemic of 1918 and 1919, which claimed millions of lives worldwide. In the meantime, researchers are trying to sort out options for a vaccine. Bird flu seems to be developing resistance to the flu drug Tamiflu. And a French vaccine maker has produced a bird flu vaccine that promoted an immune system response but still needs further study.

[Homepage] [Software] [Search]

© Copyrights PakMed Biomedical Solutions

Optimized for Java-script enabled Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, at screen resolution of 800 by 600 pixels.

Microsoft and the Office logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.