Avian Flu - Some Facts
WHAT IS AVIAN FLU (BIRD FLU)?
Avian Flu is carried by migratory wild birds but causes little or no illness in them. It can be passed to domestic fowl as the wild fowl mix with domestic fowl during resting stops. In domestic fowl, especially ducks and chickens, the disease is deadly. It is not easily transmitted to humans but can be if a human has close and prolonged contact with domestic birds. The disease is very deadly in humans. Most or all humans infected have been in close contact with sick birds.
IS AVIAN FLU A THREAT TO HUMANS?
Avian Flu in its current genetic state poses few direct health risks to those who do not have direct contact with live birds.
WHY ALL THE CONCERN?
Influenza has many strains and they are constantly undergoing change through mutations. Some key changes in the Avian Flu's genetic structure could enable easier human-to-human transmission and allow it to have the same contagiousness as seasonal influenza.
Most epidemiologists believe that a global outbreak of influenza similar to the Spanish Flu of 1917-18, that killed 20 million people, is inevitable because virulent strains tend to have cycles of around 75 years. Such an outbreak is expected to occur within the next few years and the leading candidate at the moment is the Avian Flu. Influenza is very contagious and a person spreads the virus before knowing that he or she if infected.
For more info about Avian Flu or pandemic preparation go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/
Thank you to Cigna International Expatriate Benefits for this information.
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