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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):
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