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The worst fears of scientists seem to
be materializing. Deaths from avian flu are on the rise, and children seem to be
bearing the brunt of the disease. This does not, however, warrant panic or a
media frenzy that can only result in confusion and at times misinformation.
A
large factor that has been encouraging the recent increase of deaths from the
disease in Turkey appears to be outright ignorance. Applying basic measures of
hygiene, properly cooking food, and staying clear of sick poultry and wild birds
can go a long way in saving lives.
What
Is Avian Flu?
The
H5N1 virus strain is just one out of 15 different subtypes of avian influenza.
But until now, only two subtypes have been highly pathogenic causing major
outbreaks; those being subtypes H5 and H7.
The
H5N1 has not yet become a human influenza virus; it is a species-specific virus
which has crossed the species barrier to infect humans in some cases.
According
to the World Health Organization, the method of transmission from poultry to
humans is by direct contact with infected poultry or objects contaminated with
their feces, as well as exposure while slaughtering. Luckily, transmission from
person to person has not been established significantly, thus the virus is not a
human influenza virus as yet.
The
avian virus’s current threat to human health consists of two main factors.
One, when it is transmitted from poultry to humans it causes severe disease such
as viral pneumonia and multi-organ failure which may be fatal. Two, if the virus
is given a chance to mutate and evolve into a form that is highly infectious to
humans, it could result in a pandemic.
The
first avian flu pandemic dates back to 1918 which resulted in the death of 40
million people, known in history as the ‘Spanish Flu’. Two other pandemics
occurred in 1957 and 1968 from different strains of the avian flu virus.
However, the recent H5N1 avian influenza virus first appeared in Hong Kong
in 1997 resulting in the death of six humans from 18 infected and the culling of
more than one million poultry.
Until
now, there have been sporadic incidents globally of avian flu outbreaks.
However, with recent outbreaks on the rise, the World Health Organization
believes that given enough time this strain of avian flu might evolve into
another pandemic.
Read
more facts about the avian influenza virus:
The
difference between an influenza pandemic and bird flu:
In
order for a pandemic to be declared, three conditions must be fulfilled:
-
A
new influenza subtype emerges
-
It
infects humans causing serious illness
-
It
spreads easily and sustainably among humans
The
first two of these conditions are applicable to the current avian influenza. As
long as this virus continues to infect birds with sporadic incidents of human
infection, the threat of a pandemic is possible.
Find
out how you can be more prepared:
More
news on the current situation:
Learn
more:
Historical
Timeline of Avian Influenza (including past pandemics):
News
on IslamOnline.net:
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