Threat from Asia!
We are constantly bombarded by reports of avian influenza in Asia. A constant sensation is the numerous annual deaths of patients infected with the avian virus. There would certainly be more of them and the next big epidemic of the new virus could have started, if not for the aseptic, instant liquidation of millions of chickens from the Asian broiler house. In a word - chickens are dying - and that is why many elderly people and people with immunodeficiency live, for example, after heart, kidney transplants etc.
Killer bird virusH5N1
The disease is caused by the "migratory" virus called H5N1, whose original reservoir may be wild birds - wild ducks, peregrine falcons, quails and pheasants, etc. For many years, commissioned by m.in. WHO, studies of influenza virus occurring in animal organisms are carried out, and particularly thoroughly in animals in close proximity to humans. It was isolated from wild waterfowl, including originating in the territory of Russia, Australia, Western Europe, southern China. High virulence was found, i.e. the ability to kill infected organisms. It was also found that viruses from wild birds differ from those obtained from farmed birds.
Incubates in many animals
The bird virus is easily attacked by chicken broilers, laying hens, domestic ducks, etc. It can also attack turkeys, geese, guinea fowls. The infection is transmitted through the feces of sick birds, with secretions from their eyes and nostrils. Viruses also occur in sick bird eggs. Influenza viruses from farmed birds are slightly different and may - albeit not - be highly pathogenic and toxic to humans (virulent). Under experimental conditions they cause 100% mortality.
The bird flu virus is ubiquitous
It is found in organisms - both humans and other mammals. It can store several or even several years to activate at some point, causing massive illnesses. For example, a bird-like strain was isolated from seal bodies. In humans (sporadically), a pathogenic virus is found for cows and pigs. Porcine viruses are detected in turkeys. The research conducted during the epidemic in Australia (1986) shows that sparrows and starlings were susceptible to infection with this microorganism.
Does not cause an epidemic, i.e. less dangerous than human?
The bird flu virus is everywhere, which does not mean that it always has to be the cause of mass illness. Why, then, have the birds of Asia been taken so drastically? Well, Asia is the backbone of the genetic transformation of the bird virus. With the current mass air transport, each new transformation is a deadly threat to millions of people around the world.
The bird virus may kill, but so far it does not transfer to other people
WHO experts dealing with flu issues, despite very specialized research methods, including molecular virology techniques, are not yet able to find a good answer to the question: how did the so-far harmless bird virus suddenly become lethal to humans. Nevertheless, the eradication of breeding poultry in the infection centers has eliminated, as it seems, the current source of dangerous for humans microtransformation of the avian influenza strain H5N1 and inhibited its spread. According to the WHO, there is currently no data showing transmission of the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection from human to human.
Note: 10-40 million people suffer from influenza every year
He is dying of flu from several to several dozen thousand. During a pandemic (getting sick in large areas, even around the world), the flu virus kills millions of people.
Ed. eom
(Developed on the basis of several statements by Dr. LIDIA B. BRYDAK, head of the National MeasuresInfluenza WHO Department of Virology of the National Institute of Hygiene and available literature)
