H5N1 The bird flu By Markita Ivankovic

Cases march 1,2006 –Dec. 31,2006

What Is It? Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian influenza (bird flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

Human cases found There are several types of bird flu viruses. Such as; h5n1, h7n2, h7n3, h7n7, and h9n2. The following map shows confirmed human cases.

Bird symptoms swelling of the head, a bluish discoloration of the comb and wattles, dullness, lack of appetite, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and drop in egg production.

The symptoms for humans fever for 1 week, sore throat and muscle aches, as well as, eye infections, pneumonia and severe respiratory illness. diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, cough and shortness of breath develops

Some facts   overall mortality rate is approximately 50%   from 2003 through April 11, 2007, there have been 291 laboratory- confirmed cases in humans, of whom, 172 died.   The Flu Pandemic was the result of a mutated Bird Flu. It killed thirty million people worldwide.

Some facts (cont.) The recent ‘Best Case’ scenario study indicated a minimum of Eighty-four million infections in the USA alone, with a mortality rate of over fifty percent. The primary host for H5N1 is migratory waterbirds, especially Ducks. This is why it is spreading so rapidly around the world. 50% of the world’s governments have no plans in place for the containment of pandemic viruses.

S. F. Cont. even more The virus can live outside of the body and remain infectious for several days, and it sticks to surfaces such as door knobs, telephones, keyboards, car door handles, etc. The H5N1 virus, unlike normal flu strains, attacks not only the respiratory system, but all of the organs in the body, including the nervous system.

Cause of death The cause of death, which can occur on the third or fourth week after infection is; First, the lungs fill with fluid and blood products, producing a lethal Pneumonia. Second, the immune system overreacts, causing the destruction of healthy cells as well as those infected. Behavioral changes such as irrationality and violence would accompany the drop in blood supply to the brain, and the lack of Oxygen in the blood stream.

The troubles Normal quarantine measures would be ineffective due to the forgoing considerations. Government pandemic plans for control would be inadequate at best and totally useless at worst. The symptoms are not evident until 2-3 weeks after infection. Therefore, the virus can be spread by a victim that shows no symptoms. The genetic information in this mutated flu has been studied, and the experts believe that the H5N1 and H7 versions are most likely to mutate in a similar way, facilitating human-to-human transmission.

Do the math In the course of an average day in society, one person can infect twenty. This number is magnified by people in public service industries such as taxi and bus drivers, waitresses, food checkout clerks, bank tellers, and so forth. It takes three-to six months to produce an effective vaccine, and one year for quantity production and stockpiling. Going all-out with all the facilities capable of producing vaccines, the remedy would only be available for seven percent of the world’s population.

What it looks like

bibliography