What in the world is Bird Flu? Every morning or at the end of day I sit at my computer. Sometimes I blog and other times I try to keep with news and current events.
On November 12th, 2005 I ran across an article pertaining to Bird Flu on MSNBC Health News. I was intrigued by the caption "Bird Flu" and a photo of man dressed in a blue bunny suit holding a muddy swan. My first thought was, "What will they think of next? Bird Flu? Please! Then I began to read the article in depth.
What I've learned is that rapid spread of bird flu among chickens and other fowl has caught the attention of global health authorities. There is good reason to be concerned about the old resurfaced disease. The Avian Influenza Flu has been around since 1918 (MSNBC). The potential of a high mortality rate is great; the rate is 89% percent among those younger then 15 years of age in Thailand. Most of the infected patients are young healthy children or adults (TNEJOM,Sept.29, 2005). Currently half of all person who are infected with the disease die within 9 to 10 days after the onset of the illness. Most die of progressive respiratory failure, secondary to multiple organ failure.
Scientist in Hong Kong declared they may have explained why the Bird Flu (H5N1) virus has affected so many young adults. Its causes proteins knowns as cytokines to rush to infected lung tissue, causing a fatal immune storm. (ABC NEWS, Nov 11th). In effect the virus enters an individuals's body, breaks into a cell, and hides from the immune system. Then within a few hours; the virus hijacks all the cell's life materials and replicates itself at a rapid rate.
The once single virus becomes several hundred thousand reproductions swarming in search of healthy new host cells. They cause fluid to flood the lungs, then death comes from any number of secondary problems (VF, Nov 2005-pg 270).
A similar flu occurred in 1918, killing tens of millions of people worldwide. Experts also say that it may not be quite as extreme but will be very dangerous (CNN-May 26, 2005). Representative, Michael Gurguson R - New Jersey, said at a hearing, "We're staring down the barrell of a loaded gun and that gun is ready to fire". The health officials at the hearing agreed the flu pandemic is inevitable and will most likely begin with the bird flue spreading in Asia.
A Deadly Bird Virus
This disease affects birds, and has been recently found in cats and pigs. The bird flu is categorized as an Avian Flu. There are currently 15 different types of Avian Influenza. The recent outbreak is caused by a strain known as H5N1, which is very contagious among birds. Tigers and leopards are also included in the list of animals affected by this virus. The felines were fed raw infected chickens, which caused them to be infected with the deadly disease (TNEJOM, Sept 29, 2005).
Animal to Human Transmission
This strain can be transmitted to humans causing severe illness and death (MSNBC). Individuals, who have come in direct contact with the infected poultry such as those who butcher, pluck and prepare diseased birds, handle fighting cocks, play with poultry, consumption of ducks's blood, or possibly undercooked poultry have all been implicated. Another mode of infection has been identified with oral ingestion of contaminated water during swimming and the widespread use of untreated poultry feces as fertilizer (TNEJOM, Sept 29, 2005)
The Human to Human Fear of widespread Infection
Influenza viruses are highly unstable and have the ability to mutate rapidly. The fear of widespread infection stems from the idea that someone who is already infected with the human flu catches the birds flu. This could cause the virus to mutate, producing a hybrid that could spread rapidly from human to human (MSNBC). The reason the strain is so dangerous is because most humans have never been exposed to the bird flu and therefore there is no natural immunity and currently no vaccine.
Current Events
As of today the Avian Flu has only spread from person to person twice. But experts believe a pandemic could be imminent. (CNN-Thursday,May 26, 2005). Indonesia's first human bird flue case, coupled with more birds dying elsewhere including Russia, Cruasia, China, Vietnam, Canada, Katakstan, and Mongolia are signs of a long dreaded global influenza pandemic. Margaret chan, WHO's (World Health Organization) Director stated, "This is perhaps the only time since 1968, which was the last pandemic, that we are getting signs symptoms and warning signs from nature...More and more birds are dying in different parts of the world-this is the kind of signals, and early warning that we are referring to " (China Post - July 23, 2005)
Precautions
Margaret Chan of W.H.O's new director called for influenza preparedness and stepped up disease surveillance among poultry and humans worldwide. Chan States, "We need to be very vigilant and look for signals or signs of sustained human to human transmission. We need to advise people from farm to table on what actions they can take or can advise commuinities to do to reduce the risk." (China Post July 23, 2005)
Treatment Solutions or Just Hype
The used of Antiviral Agents is another option such as: Oral Osel-Tamivir and ZanaMivir. (TNEJOM, Sept 29, 2005). Swiss drug maker Roche will increase production of Tamiflu to make 300 million treatments of the antiviral drug annaully by 2007 in order to meet government orders amid fears of the flue pandemic. (AP,CDC,WHO, Nature-Nov.7,2005) Tamiflu has been found to be most effect if used withing the first 48 hours (CNN.Com, May 26, 2006). Many governments around the world are stockpiling Tamiflu, while scientists are working hard to come up with new ways of combating this deadly virus. The reason scientist are still working hard to come up with a vaccine is because Tamiflu may be of little or no use whatsoever (MSNBC).
Should we be concerned?
Currently there are some people who believe that this is just a lot of hype. Dr. Marc Siegal in the Los Angels Times was quoted as saying, "Even if we take the Spanish Flu as a model, we've come a long way since 1918, when "There were no flu vaccinations and no antiviral drugs". And most Virologists believe that currently the bird flu has a very low chance of jumping the species barrier. and turning into a global nighmare. Once again, fearmongers have taken a real health threat and blown it out of all proportion - just as they did with SARS, West Nile virus, Anthrax, and mad cow disease. The lesson of these previous panics is clear: "The worst case is not the only case" (TWM 10/14/2005)
Conclusion
To conclude there should be some concern about this deadly disease. Education is the answer to resolve current fears about the (H5N1) virus. We should keep a watchful eye on current events pertaining to this deadly virus. We should warn our children not to pick up or remove dead animals. Then if we are in the midst of such a predicament;we should report the dead animal to the proper authorities.
However, until we do or don't see an outbreak, we should remain comforted in the knowledge we are now made aware of a potential outbreak and measures can be taken to prevent such a disaster.
Written by Donna C. Ledesma
Copyright May 2010
All rights reserved
All PCs on Sale. $399.99 Lenovo G570 Laptop. Save $150 Core i3 at OfficeDepot.com!On November 12th, 2005 I ran across an article pertaining to Bird Flu on MSNBC Health News. I was intrigued by the caption "Bird Flu" and a photo of man dressed in a blue bunny suit holding a muddy swan. My first thought was, "What will they think of next? Bird Flu? Please! Then I began to read the article in depth.
What I've learned is that rapid spread of bird flu among chickens and other fowl has caught the attention of global health authorities. There is good reason to be concerned about the old resurfaced disease. The Avian Influenza Flu has been around since 1918 (MSNBC). The potential of a high mortality rate is great; the rate is 89% percent among those younger then 15 years of age in Thailand. Most of the infected patients are young healthy children or adults (TNEJOM,Sept.29, 2005). Currently half of all person who are infected with the disease die within 9 to 10 days after the onset of the illness. Most die of progressive respiratory failure, secondary to multiple organ failure.
Scientist in Hong Kong declared they may have explained why the Bird Flu (H5N1) virus has affected so many young adults. Its causes proteins knowns as cytokines to rush to infected lung tissue, causing a fatal immune storm. (ABC NEWS, Nov 11th). In effect the virus enters an individuals's body, breaks into a cell, and hides from the immune system. Then within a few hours; the virus hijacks all the cell's life materials and replicates itself at a rapid rate.
The once single virus becomes several hundred thousand reproductions swarming in search of healthy new host cells. They cause fluid to flood the lungs, then death comes from any number of secondary problems (VF, Nov 2005-pg 270).
A similar flu occurred in 1918, killing tens of millions of people worldwide. Experts also say that it may not be quite as extreme but will be very dangerous (CNN-May 26, 2005). Representative, Michael Gurguson R - New Jersey, said at a hearing, "We're staring down the barrell of a loaded gun and that gun is ready to fire". The health officials at the hearing agreed the flu pandemic is inevitable and will most likely begin with the bird flue spreading in Asia.
A Deadly Bird Virus
This disease affects birds, and has been recently found in cats and pigs. The bird flu is categorized as an Avian Flu. There are currently 15 different types of Avian Influenza. The recent outbreak is caused by a strain known as H5N1, which is very contagious among birds. Tigers and leopards are also included in the list of animals affected by this virus. The felines were fed raw infected chickens, which caused them to be infected with the deadly disease (TNEJOM, Sept 29, 2005).
This strain can be transmitted to humans causing severe illness and death (MSNBC). Individuals, who have come in direct contact with the infected poultry such as those who butcher, pluck and prepare diseased birds, handle fighting cocks, play with poultry, consumption of ducks's blood, or possibly undercooked poultry have all been implicated. Another mode of infection has been identified with oral ingestion of contaminated water during swimming and the widespread use of untreated poultry feces as fertilizer (TNEJOM, Sept 29, 2005)
The Human to Human Fear of widespread Infection
Influenza viruses are highly unstable and have the ability to mutate rapidly. The fear of widespread infection stems from the idea that someone who is already infected with the human flu catches the birds flu. This could cause the virus to mutate, producing a hybrid that could spread rapidly from human to human (MSNBC). The reason the strain is so dangerous is because most humans have never been exposed to the bird flu and therefore there is no natural immunity and currently no vaccine.
Current Events
As of today the Avian Flu has only spread from person to person twice. But experts believe a pandemic could be imminent. (CNN-Thursday,May 26, 2005). Indonesia's first human bird flue case, coupled with more birds dying elsewhere including Russia, Cruasia, China, Vietnam, Canada, Katakstan, and Mongolia are signs of a long dreaded global influenza pandemic. Margaret chan, WHO's (World Health Organization) Director stated, "This is perhaps the only time since 1968, which was the last pandemic, that we are getting signs symptoms and warning signs from nature...More and more birds are dying in different parts of the world-this is the kind of signals, and early warning that we are referring to " (China Post - July 23, 2005)
Precautions
Margaret Chan of W.H.O's new director called for influenza preparedness and stepped up disease surveillance among poultry and humans worldwide. Chan States, "We need to be very vigilant and look for signals or signs of sustained human to human transmission. We need to advise people from farm to table on what actions they can take or can advise commuinities to do to reduce the risk." (China Post July 23, 2005)
Treatment Solutions or Just Hype
The used of Antiviral Agents is another option such as: Oral Osel-Tamivir and ZanaMivir. (TNEJOM, Sept 29, 2005). Swiss drug maker Roche will increase production of Tamiflu to make 300 million treatments of the antiviral drug annaully by 2007 in order to meet government orders amid fears of the flue pandemic. (AP,CDC,WHO, Nature-Nov.7,2005) Tamiflu has been found to be most effect if used withing the first 48 hours (CNN.Com, May 26, 2006). Many governments around the world are stockpiling Tamiflu, while scientists are working hard to come up with new ways of combating this deadly virus. The reason scientist are still working hard to come up with a vaccine is because Tamiflu may be of little or no use whatsoever (MSNBC).
Should we be concerned?
Currently there are some people who believe that this is just a lot of hype. Dr. Marc Siegal in the Los Angels Times was quoted as saying, "Even if we take the Spanish Flu as a model, we've come a long way since 1918, when "There were no flu vaccinations and no antiviral drugs". And most Virologists believe that currently the bird flu has a very low chance of jumping the species barrier. and turning into a global nighmare. Once again, fearmongers have taken a real health threat and blown it out of all proportion - just as they did with SARS, West Nile virus, Anthrax, and mad cow disease. The lesson of these previous panics is clear: "The worst case is not the only case" (TWM 10/14/2005)
Conclusion
To conclude there should be some concern about this deadly disease. Education is the answer to resolve current fears about the (H5N1) virus. We should keep a watchful eye on current events pertaining to this deadly virus. We should warn our children not to pick up or remove dead animals. Then if we are in the midst of such a predicament;we should report the dead animal to the proper authorities.
However, until we do or don't see an outbreak, we should remain comforted in the knowledge we are now made aware of a potential outbreak and measures can be taken to prevent such a disaster.
Written by Donna C. Ledesma
Copyright May 2010
All rights reserved
you did a fantastic job on this article very imformative.
ReplyDelete