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Flu InformationBird Flu: Should I Be Worried?
by:
David Altfeder
In recent weeks, the alarm over Vertebrate Flu, besides cognize as Bird Flu has accrued dramatically. It is important to understand the facts just about this illness in order to interpret the news accurately and to avoid panic and irrational behavior.
Influenza, besides acknowledged as “the flu” is a general term for the illness caused by any of a number of viruses. There are three main type of human influenza, and there are galore much types of flu in birds. All folk are exposed to viruses- we encounter them every day. Just just about 30,000 folk die of flu virus in the United States annually.
To date, Vertebrate flu has killed just about 60 folk in Asia over the last two years. So why the great concern? The fact is the virus is being transmitted from bird to bird at an appalling rate. Cases have appeared throughout the world. Millions of birds have been slaughtered in an attempt to contain the disease. The 60 folk who have died from the illness were folk who handled birds. To date, it appears every case was a case of microorganism transmission from bird to human. If this continues to be the case- that is, the virus can only be transmitted from bird to human, the bird flu problem wish be serious, but far from catastrophic. What worries earth health officials is the chance that the virus may change
and become a virus which can be transmitted from human to human.
In 1918, there was an eruption of Spanish Flu which killed 40 million people. Researchers have determined this virus originated in birds, then mutated to a form which was transmitted from human to human. The Spanish Flu had a mortality rate of 2%. The Vertebrate flu has a mortality rate of 50%. If the virus mutates, continues to be as dangerous, and becomes a from which can be transmitted from human to human, the consequences could be an new worldwide disaster. That’s a big IF though.
The virus has been about for some years and has not yet mutated in this harmful direction. Researchers are sport to develop a vaccine, and human trials should begin next year. Galore countries have begun to stockpile antiviral drugs to prepare for the worst case.
So, should you be worried? You should be concerned, but it’s hardly time to panic. Several folk have purchased Tamiflu or another antiviral drugs and surgical masks to wear in public in case of an outbreak, but this may be premature. We recommend you support abreast of the news and follow the proposal
of health officials if an eruption occurs.
Just just about the author:
David Altfeder is President of OnlinePharmacyZone.com He has written a series of articles on pharmacy, health and human physiology.
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