Avian Influenza / Bird Flu FAQ's 

Frequently Asked Questions about Avian Influenza / Bird Flu

1. What is Bird Flu / Avian Influenza?
2. If Most Avian Influenza Viruses Do Not Infect Humans, Why is Bird Flu Considered to be Such a Huge Threat?
3. Who is Most at Risk?
4. What is a Pandemic? Is it different to an Epidemic?
5. When did the last Pandemic occur?
6. Is There an Avian Influenza Vaccine?
7. What is Tamiflu?
8. Which countries are likely to be affected by an Avian Flu outbreak?
9. Which countries have been affected so far?
10. Should a pandemic occur, how many people are expected to die from it?
11. What is Being Done to Prevent the Global Spread of the Bird Flu Virus?

What is Bird Flu / Avian Influenza?

Avian Influenza is a virus that normally only infects birds, most notably ducks and chickens. There are numerous strains of the virus in which an infected bird may show few symptoms to others where the virus will rapidly overwhelm a birds immune system and prove fatal in the majority of cases due to acute respiratory failure. Once a single bird has become infected with a highly pathogenic strain of the influenza virus it can quickly spread to a whole flock with typically dire consequences. Most strains of bird flu pose absolutely no threat to humans.

If Most Avian Influenza Viruses Do Not Infect Humans, Why is Bird Flu Considered to be Such a Huge Threat?

One strain of avian flu, identified as "H5N1", has been known to pass from birds to humans. The fear is that this strain of the virus could merge with a human virus, or mutate into a new strain that will spread more easily from person to person. Humans would not have any natural resistance to any new strain that emerges which is the reason why the threat is so huge and the anticipated number of deaths so high. 

Who is Most at Risk?

Currently most at risk of catching the H5N1 flu virus are those that frequently come in to contact with live poultry such as farmers and slaughterers, especially in countries where the basic rules of livestock handling, food preparation and basic hygiene are not always followed. Next at risk are people that may pass through infected areas or those that come into close contact with birds or humans that are deemed to be at high risk.

What is a Pandemic? Is it different to an Epidemic?

A pandemic disease is one that spreads quickly over a very wide geographical area and affects a huge number of people all over the globe. An epidemic disease differs in that it would normally be confined to a smaller geographic area, such as a single country or area, and would therefore affect a lesser number of people than a pandemic would. Typically, a pandemic can occur when a highly virulent disease emerges that is new to humans but is one that spreads easily amongst them.

When did the last Pandemic occur?

Numerous pandemics have occurred throughout history. One of the most notable flu outbreaks of any real comparison to the current threat was the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918 which is estimated to have caused the death of at least 40 million people and is said to have been the result of a bird flu virus that spread easily among humans.

Experts say a pandemic was narrowly averted as recently as 2003 when the SARS outbreak peaked, and also in 1997 when a bird flu outbreak occurred in Hong Kong.

Is There an Avian Influenza Vaccine?

No. Although the capability does exist for scientists to produce vaccines against almost all known human flu viruses, the problem they face with the current threat is that they cannot predict the strain of any new hybrid mutations that may emerge. Once an outbreak occurs that is caused by a new strain, scientists will be able to rapidly identify the new virus and work towards creating a vaccine. However, several months will be required to both develop and produce adequate amounts of it, during which time millions of people could have become infected.

What is Tamiflu?

Tamiflu is an antiviral drug that is frequently prescribed by doctors to combat the effects of seasonal flu viruses in infected persons.  It is believed, though largely unproven, that it could help treat humans that have become infected with a new strain of the bird flu virus. Should an avian flu pandemic occur it is anticipated that Tamiflu may be in short supply due to the sudden rise in demand. 

Which countries are likely to be affected by an Avian Flu outbreak?

Should a Pandemic occur it is likely that cases will surface all over the world with very few countries escaping the bird flu threat. Unfortunately, modern travel could help facilitate the rapid spread of the virus. Since noticeable symptoms in humans may take 2 or 3 days to emerge, an infected person may unwittingly carry the virus overseas and spread it to many other people before realizing they are themselves infected. 

Which countries have been affected so far?

As of November 2005, human cases of H5N1 infections have been largely confined to Asian Countries, with the majority of them occurring in Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Cases of H5N1 infected birds are much more widespread and have now even reached parts of Europe. To date at least 60 people have died in Asia after becoming infected with the H5N1 strain.

Should a pandemic occur, how many people are expected to die from it?

The World Health Organization has estimated that a bird flu pandemic could take the lives of up to 7,400,000 people. It is however believed that the actual figure could far surpass this amount.

What is Being Done to Prevent the Global Spread of the Bird Flu Virus?

To help prevent its spread, many Governments and health officials are working hard to bring about a greater civilian awareness of the dangers of avian flu and the importance of swift precautionary action when new cases are identified or infections suspected in both birds and/or humans. Unfortunately, some less developed countries have not only been slow to prepare and adopt any such plans but they also lack adequate surveillance practices that would enable them to otherwise detect and isolate cases early on. 

Not surprisingly, most human cases to date have occurred in countries that have previously been known to cover up news of local cases or those where the local population have not been suitably informed of what warning signs to look out for. To its credit, the World Health Organization continues to do much to keep such countries informed of the dangers that exist and is constantly working to implement surveillance measures in high risk countries so that sources of outbreaks can be quickly identified and isolated, however it is clear that much work still has to be done by local authorities.