The list of viruses and diseases has grown rapidly over the last 20 years. These viruses include monkey pox, HIV/AIDS, SARS, hantavirus, and a new virus, the avian influenza, which is also known as the bird flu. The Avian Influenza has many different forms, all which can most-commonly be found in wild birds such as waterfowl and shorebirds. This virus mainly infects birds, but can be easily transferred to humans. Most people have heard of this potentially dangerous disease, but do not yet know the details and consequences of this “bird flu.”

Many times the terms “Seasonal” and “Pandemic” are confused for one another. The seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory infection, which is transmitted when people simply sneeze or cough. It is an infection caused by influenza viruses. Pandemic flu is a serious illness that causes a global outbreak. It occurs when there is a major change in the genetic makeup of a virus. There is very little natural immunity, and the disease can spread rapidly and can become a world threat in the matter of months.

The virus is broken down into proteins: hemagglutinin (“HA”) and neuraminidase (“NA”) proteins. There are 16 known subtypes of HA and 9 subtypes of NA. These subtypes can form many different combinations. Each virus, when made up of different combinations of subtypes, is classified as having a low or high pathogenicity. The effects of low pathogenicity among birds are minor, such as, ruffled feathers and reduced egg production. The effects of viruses with high pathogenicity are respiratory distress and almost 100% mortality within a 48-hour period. It also affects multiple internal organs at a time.

Bird Flu ComicThe influenza viruses categorized by Types A, B and C. Type A is responsible for lethal influenza pandemics, whereas Type B causes smaller, localized breakouts. Type C has milder symptoms and is less common. Type A affects both humans and animals and can change quickly, constantly and cataclysmically. This change takes place in two ways:
  1. Antigenic drift is when there are small permanent ongoing alterations in the genetic material of a virus. Viruses continuously reproduce, making new strains to replace the old strains. A body's antibodies cannot compete with the constant changes of the virus.
  2. Antigenic shift occurs when influenza A subtypes from different species, bird and human, for example merge and trade genes. This forms an entirely new strain. There is no natural immunity to the new mutated strain. This new form of the flu can spread quickly and easily from human to human and potentially become a global epidemic.
The Bird Flu can be transferred to humans by surfaces contaminated by birds' nasal secretions, saliva, and/or feces. These surfaces, for example are, cars, heavy machinery, and high ledges. It can also be distributed among humans. In 1997, an outbreak of the virus in Hong Kong infected 18 people, six of whom died. The most recent case, in June 2006, 8 people in one family in Indonesia were infected. Scientists are worried that one day this influenza can become a pandemic, and there is very little or no immune protection from it. No one can predict when this can happen. This is why we have to take action to try to prevent it. The government is already investing in organizations and scientific research to come up with a vaccine. Hopefully, they will find a sufficient vaccine for the ever-changing disease.

Sources:

  1. The State of Alaska's Multi-Agency Website, What is Avian Flu?www.pandemicflu.alaska.gov (15 August 2006).
  2. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Facts About Avian Flu and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus, 30 June 2006 www.bt.cdc.gov/scripts/emailprint/print.asp (15 August 2006).
  3. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Interim Guidance for Protection of Persons Involved in U.S. Avian Influenza Outbreak Disease Control and Eradication Activities, 14 January 2006 www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/professional/protect-guid.htm (15 August 2006).
  4. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Spread of Avian Influenza Viruses among Birds, 14 October 2005 www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/spread.htm (15 August 2006).
  5. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Transmission of Influenza A Virus Between Animals and People, 17 October 2005 www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/transmission.htm (15 August 2006).
  6. Mayo Clinic, The, Bird Flu (Avian Influenza), www.mayoclinic.com/print/bird-flu/DS00566/DSECTION/=all&METHOD=print (15 August 2006).
  7. Sarah Sanderlin, Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Phase II Situation Report, 24 July 2006 www.pandemicflu.alaska.gov/PDFs/PI_Sitrep.pdf (15 August 2006).
  8. World Bank, Avian Flu: The Economic Costs, www.worldbank.org (15 August 2006).