New Strain of Bird Flu Worries Scientists

A new strain of the bird flu is spreading through Asia. Health experts are calling it the "third wave" of H5N1 infection. (H5N1 is the virus that causes the bird flu.) The immediate threat is to chickens and other poultry. This is because the virus is resistant to the vaccine used to protect birds from infection. The fear is that bird flu could spread rapidly in poultry throughout Asia, increasing the chance for human infection.

Does this mean bird flu could become widespread among people?

People can get the virus from direct contact with birds, but the virus does not easily jump from person to person. Since the flu virus can change, there is concern that the bird flu could one day spread from one person to another. Normal flu causes mild illness in most people, but the bird flu is severe. More than half of those who have had the virus have died.

The chart below shows the number of confirmed cases reported to the World Health Organization.

31 October 2006

Scientists are working to make a vaccine for humans that can be easily mass produced. The U.S. is planning to stock up on the vaccine and antiviral drugs. These drugs will be used on anyone who becomes infected with the bird flu. Health officials have plans in place to limit the bird flu from spreading if there is an epidemic. To learn more, visit PandemicFlu.gov.

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External Sources Avian Influenza, World Health Organization. Avian influenza. Accessed Nov. 8, 2006. Avian Flu, Centers for Disease Control and Protection. Avian influenza (bird flu). Accessed Nov. 8, 2006. Emergence and predominance of an H5N1 influenza variant in China Smith et al. PNAS.2006; 0: 0608157103

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