What's the real deal on the Bird Flu?

Question

I've read details from one extreme to the other. Some say it's going to be a deadly epidemic and to start saving non-perishable food and water as we'll be trapped in our homes and others say that if your a normal healthy person, the chances of you contracting it are slim. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Avian flu (also "bird flu", "avian influenza", etc), technically means "flu from Influenza A viruses that have adapted to birds", but is sometimes mistakenly used to refer to flu from any Influenza A viruses (rather than ones adapted to birds, e.g. Dog flu, Horse flu, Human flu, Swine flu), or (also incorrectly) even the virus itself. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

The only known "avian flu" viruses are Influenzavirus A. All subtypes (but not all strains of all subtypes) of Influenza A are adapted to birds, which is why for many purposes avian flu virus is the Influenza A virus (note that the "A" does not stand for "avian").

As of 2006, "avian flu" is being commonly used to refer to a particular subtype of Influenza A, H5N1, which is currently the world's major flu pandemic threat.

A few examples of correct and incorrect usage of the term "avian flu" itself follow. For more scientific information about avian flu, see the subtype links towards the bottom of this article.
In technical contexts, correct usage of terms is necessary because precise distinctions are the essence of the communication.

"Avian influenza strains are those well adapted to birds" [1]
"An outbreak of influenza A (H5N1), also known as 'avian flu' or 'bird flu,' has been reported in several countries throughout Asia." [8]
"Avian influenza virus usually refers to influenza A viruses found chiefly in birds, but infections can occur in humans."[9]
"Of the few avian influenza viruses that have crossed the species barrier to infect humans, H5N1 has caused the largest number of cases of severe disease and death in humans. Unlike normal seasonal influenza, where infection causes only mild respiratory symptoms in most people, the disease caused by H5N1 follows an unusually aggressive clinical course, with rapid deterioration and high fatality." Seasonal influenza is human flu.[10]
"avian influenza HA bind alpha 2-3 sialic acid receptors while human influenza HA bind alpha 2-6 sialic acid receptors. Swine influenza viruses have the ability to bind both types of sialic acid receptors." [11]
Sometimes a virus contains both avian adapted genes and human adapted genes. Both the H2N2 and H3N2 pandemic strains contained avian flu virus RNA segments. "While the pandemic human influenza viruses of 1957 (H2N2) and 1968 (H3N2) clearly arose through reassortment between human and avian viruses, the influenza virus causing the 'Spanish flu' in 1918 appears to be entirely derived from an avian source (Belshe 2005)." [2]
[edit]
Illustrative examples of imprecise usage
In nontechnical contexts, imprecise usage of terms is typical when discussing complex things.

"A 1,000 square mile quarantine zone to combat an outbreak of bird flu was lifted in Scotland today - despite the spread of a similar disease south of the border." Here "bird flu" is used to mean "Asian lineage HPAI A(H5N1) flu" (which is a bird flu) and contrasted with flu from an avian adapted strain of H7N3 (which is also a bird flu). (Click the links for details.) [12]

Answer 2

this can possibly turn out to be really bad the the spanish flu of 1918. the bird flu is now mostly only contracted from bird to bird, unless the virus can find a way to jump to a human host, we could be all right for now. I don't think it will even get as bad as the spanish flu but it does have potential. Just don't eat whales because the birds poop on the backs of whales and then the whales can be carriers of the virus!

Answer 3

Fact: Most flus are spread by birds. Fact: The Avian Flu has killed less people than the "regular flu" killed last year. It is a scare tactic. Sure, this is a nasty strain of flu and sure people are gonna die from it just like people die from the inluenza every year. And like your commen flu there will be vaccines. THe thing is to stop being scared and don't let the politicians take your mind off of the things that are really important like get screwed by the insurance companies and drug companies.

Answer 4

Bird Flu is like any other media driven Pharmaceutical Marketing ploy: scare the public into taking drugs. The real problem: generalized immune suppression created by the ingestion of toxic foods: wheat, dairy, and literally thousands of chemicals we ingest or absorb on a daily basis, is never addressed. For those of us who know, the Bird Flu is like the SARS scare: a big joke.

Answer 5

Some say it's going to be a deadly epidemic and to start saving non-perishable food and water as we'll be trapped in our homes...
Answer: The World Health Organization has been warning of a possible pandemic for months. As of May 15th, the CDC says "The avian influenza A (H5N1) epizootic (animal outbreak) in Asia and parts of Europe, the Near East, and Africa is not expected to diminish significantly in the short term. It is likely that H5N1 infection among birds has become endemic in certain areas and that human infections resulting from direct contact with infected poultry will continue to occur. So far, the spread of H5N1 virus from person-to-person has been rare and has not continued beyond one person. No evidence for genetic reassortment between human and avian influenza A virus genes has been found; however, this epizootic continues to pose an important public health threat. "

.... and others say that if your a normal healthy person, the chances of you contracting it are slim.
Answer: The CDC says "There is little pre-existing natural immunity to H5N1 infection in the human population. If these H5N1 viruses gain the ability for efficient and sustained transmission among humans, an influenza pandemic could result, with potentially high rates of illness and death. In addition, genetic sequencing of influenza A (H5N1) viruses from human cases in Vietnam and Thailand shows resistance to the antiviral medications amantadine and rimantadine, two of the medications commonly used for treatment of influenza. This would leave two remaining antiviral medications (oseltamivir and zanamivir) that should still be effective against currently circulating strains of H5N1 virus. Efforts to produce vaccine candidates that would be effective against avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses are under way. However, it will likely require many months before such vaccines could be mass produced and made widely available."
My feeling is that if such a pandemic should occur it would be wise to stock up on water and canned goods and stay at home. The government is not well prepared for such an eventuality. 40% of the work force would be unavailable. Police, medical staff and present stocks of vaccine and medical equipment would be inadequate to deal with the situation. Treating flu-like symptoms with Tamiflu would be helpful and making a small fetish of washing one's hands could help in preventing contagion.
As many as 1.7 million Americans might perish over an 18 month period.
More than 225 confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza viruses have been reported. 128 of these people have died.
The symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections (conjunctivitis), pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia, and other severe and life-threatening complications.
Keep in mind that viruses do mutate...this strain has been found in many mammals in Europe and Asia. Wild birds infect domestics as they follow their migratory routes. Wild ducks are for the most part carriers who do not succumb to this disease and can infect many other birds with their fluids and feces.
I cannot think why anyone would think these organizations are " hype"-ing
this situation. If you have more concerns regarding the possibility of a pandemic, I urge you to consult the WHO website for information on the evolving situation and information useful to the general public. They issue daily reports.

Answer 6

Bird Flu can spread through birds and humans.

And birds can travel from continents to another. Basically there is no way to contain birds. Birds includes chickens, pigeons, crows.. etc.

When bird breathes, tiny fluid from their nose gets into the air which in turn breathe in by humans and then causes death to humans on bird's flu.

Now, do you think that is dangerous?

Answer 7

All I know is if the front page news says "bird flu" poultry stock prices drop and beef stock rises.

Answer 8

Avian Influenza (H5NI).