Avian Flu Pandemic Comes Ashore
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Posted by George on October 5th, 2005

After a weak governmental response to Hurricane Katrina and news of the deadly flu in other countries and before it reach the United States, President Bush wants to impose a quarantine in the event of an outbreak by using the military. The rate of death cause by avian flu is at 50% which is very high compare to other illness. The latest victim of this flu was a 27-year old women, which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia. This is also the fourth confirmed case of H5N1 in Indonesia.

The World Health Organization says an influenza pandemic is “just a matter of time.” Some health officials particularly are concerned about avian flu because it seems to be extremely lethal when it jumps from birds to humans.

Drawing a lesson from Katrina, Bush suggested that he should have the authority to use the military to seal off an infected region in a pandemic, as well as to help deal with natural disasters.

We all should be worry about this avian flu situation now before we experience something like the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 where 20 to 40 million people died worldwide. If this bird flu starts to jump from people to people you will begin to see an epidemic that will also have great economic threats besides the health implications.

What is avian influenza (bird flu)?
Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?

Symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of bird flu may depend on which virus caused the infection.

You can find out more facts about the Avian Flu at the CDC.

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