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So far the virus has only been transmitted rerely and accidentiaty to humans-Why is it feared that the virus may cause a major epidemic with the human population?

2007-01-25 06:32:59 · 3 answers · asked by royshin_2000 1 in Science & Mathematics Biology

3 answers

Because influenza viruses have caused severe epidemics in the past.

Because influenza viruses evolve rapidly via recombination with other influenza viruses

Because there are influenza strains that are readily transmissible from human to human

Because the only thing holding H5N1 back from being a major human health issue is the fact that it isn't transmitted from human to human...... yet.

This isn't to say that it's a sure fire 100% guarantee to happen, but all the pieces are in place.

2007-01-25 06:42:10 · answer #1 · answered by floundering penguins 5 · 0 0

1918 and 1957 flu pandemic are primary sources of concern about the H5N1 influenza. Although there have only been 269 cases of human infections documented since 2003 and of those 163 resulted in death, there have yet to be any documented cases of Human to human transmission of the virus. The fear of a pandemic is founded in the knowledge that if the H5N1 becomes transmisable from one human to another there would likely be quick and widespread infection and death. It remains to be seen if there would be any effect on the lethality or severity of viral infection if the virus were to become transmisable between humans (as opposed to bird to human).

But the bottom line is that there is sufficient historical data showing the impact of a flu pandemic and this virus appears to kill a high percentage of those infected.

2007-01-25 09:41:21 · answer #2 · answered by JL 1 · 0 0

It is feared because the consequences would be devastating. Look up the last major flu epidemic, I think in 1918. Killed huge numbers of people worldwide. The bright side is that it isn't so likely that H5N1 will ever mutate in the proper way to become airborne transmissible. One will eventually though. Just a matter of time.

2007-01-25 07:25:46 · answer #3 · answered by John S 2 · 0 0

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