Why should we be more concerned about mutations to the bird flu virus over other viruses?

Question

All viruses, whether we know about them or not, are liable to mutate in ways which affect their characteristics (such as strength, ease / rate of transmission, affects on host). What is it about bird flu that singles this virus out as particularly dangerous and hence warrants so much concern? Surely all viruses have the potential to become lethal to humans (or any other animal, I wouldn’t want to single us out as privileged)?

Answer 1

This is not the first bird flu virus which has killed humans.

There was another one back in the early 20th century, I believe it may have been in 1918 or thereabouts, which killed 20 million people worldwide.

It is therefore the case that bird flu can be very dangerous indeed.

Answer 2

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 (63% mortality rate) 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.

The 1918 influeza outbreak was not a "bird flu" per say, in that it was not H5N1 type.

Answer 3

Avian Flu and Influenza need new vaccines every year because they become immune to the advances of original vaccines. And because they mutate so rapidly they are more deadly than you can possibly imagine. Not the mention the fact that a single pigeon could crap the Bird Flu on your head and you'd die.

Answer 4

BIrd Flu is already a very bad strain, and with more mutations, may become unstoppable.

The outbreak in 1918, by the way, was the infamous Spanish Influenza outbreak. It was not Avian flu, just a bad strain of influenza.

Answer 5

God damn all those who suggested Hype, esp the merely precise guy to respond to. problem: H5N1 has been evolving into extra deadly varieties, and the most at present remoted H5N1 are the most threatening yet. It has a lack of existence fee of fifty six% of contaminated human beings, and if it does mutate right into a form transmitable beween people, the shortcoming of existence fee ought to upward thrust back. at present the merely thanks to capture chicken flu is to inhale spores from chicken poo, it truly is why a great number of hen farmers were catching it - they have prolongued close contact with birds. merely because H5N1 is yet to grace the seashores of us of a, isn't any reason to imagine that it truly is hype. the merely precise major epidemic of flu killed 8million human beings in 1918. Now, if we've yet another virilent flu outbreak, the means for lack of existence is way more effective via higher commute. Hype or problem? definate problem.

Answer 6

Simply because we have no immunity. it's not only viruses that mutate. Other viruses and bacteria do the same, MRSA being one of them. You can email [e-mail] for more information or go to www.anubishealthcare.com and contact from the web site.

Answer 7

just had to say pigeons are apparently immune to bird flu,it effects poultry..more chance of a pigeon crapping e coli on you as most dropping have it present.I think this thing with bird flu is worrying but what can we do,we cant predict the future only speculate,hopefully we'll all be fine!!