For much of human history, influenza has been feared for its lethal and often far-reaching effects. Millions of people have died from the flu, and hundreds of thousands more worldwide die each year. As bad as human influenza may seem, however, there is another type of flu that looms large on the horizon, and this new sickness threatens to shake the world to the very core.
It's called avian flu, and its shaping up to be one of the most dangerous things in our world today. Here are four facts that you need to know about this deadly new threat - and what you can expect from it.
First, avian flu (a particular strain of influenza) is carried by birds, usually wild ones. These birds suffer no ill effects from being carriers of the virus; their bodies are remarkably well-adapted to it. However, domesticated birds like chickens and turkey are not adapted to the virus, and die quite easily once they have been infected. Secretions of infected birds, such as saliva, mucus, and feces, carry the avian flu virus, and therefore must be avoided.
Second, avian flu is dangerous to humans. That's an understatement. Avian flu kills the domesticated birds that it infects within hours. Human beings who have been infected die within days. In other words, it is highly fatal. An added difficulty is the fact that the illness currently does not have a cure. Even if we do manage to develop a cure, it may become obsolete after a period of time. Influenza strains evolve as time passes; thus the effort to develop effective vaccines and cures needs to be an ongoing effort.
Third, the world is not prepared for the avian flu. A document released by the White House states that "a pandemic, or worldwide outbreak of a new influenza virus, could overwhelm our health and medical capabilities, potentially resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths, millions of hospitalizations and hundreds of billions of dollars in direct and indirect costs." What people are most scared about is that the virus could mutate into a form that is passed from person to person. If that happens, stopping its spread could be difficult, if not impossible. In a rapidly globalizing world, it is simply too hard to keep track of and prevent human migration.
Lastly, something can be done about it. While there is no foolproof way of preventing avian flu, some simple health habits can really make a difference. For instance, washing your hands at regular intervals (such as before eating or after using the toilet) can drastically reduce the incidence of bacterial growth or viral transfer. If, for instance, you have a cold, you should stay away from other people. If you sneeze, cover your nose. These are all basics; and everyone should practice them. While it may not completely stop the spread of avian flu, it will definitely help. Also, be sure to avoid getting in contact with anything that might come from an infected avian flu carrier.
