| It started out as a natural influenza virus | | | | could be formed.If this occurs then the |
| being carried naturally among wild birds | | | | virus, like the common cold, could spread |
| which carry the viruses in their intestines, | | | | very rapidly and inflict a high mortality |
| but usually do not get sick from them. | | | | rate - particularly on the young, the elderly |
| However, bird flu is very contagious among | | | | and people already sick.What is the bird flu |
| birds and can make some domesticated birds, | | | | and is there a vaccine? While the Tamiflu |
| including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very | | | | vaccine may be effective against the bird flu |
| sick and kill them.Avian influenza does not | | | | virus, it is in short supply. The other MAJOR |
| normally infect species other than birds and | | | | factor is that there is no guarantee that |
| pigs. But humans came down with the bird flu | | | | this vaccine will be effective against the |
| in Hong Kong in 1997, when the H5N1 strain | | | | mutated strain of the new virus and health |
| infected 18 humans, 6 of whom died.What is | | | | officials advise that this could be many |
| the bird flu and why are we killing chickens? | | | | months away.What is the bird flu and what can |
| More recently a virulent form of avian flu | | | | I do to protect myself?Best advice is to |
| has swept through 10 countries in Asia, | | | | avoid the possibility of exposure and to |
| killing thousands of chickens and ducks and | | | | boost your immune system by eating a healthy |
| possibly wild birds as well. In four | | | | diet (more omega 3 fatty acids, less sugar, |
| countries, China, Thailand, Indonesia and | | | | fried foods and omega 6 to begin)and by |
| Vietnam, the flu has also infected people, | | | | supplementing with nutrients known to improve |
| most of whom are believed to have had close | | | | the function of the immune system - such as |
| contact with infected chickens. The | | | | Selenium and Vitamins A, C and E.Summary |
| governments in those countries have culled | | | | |
| millions of birds in an effort to stop the | | | | |
| spread.Bird flu viruses do not usually infect | | | | |
| humans, but more than 100 confirmed cases of | | | | The bird flu or H5N1 virus occurs naturally |
| human infection with bird flu viruses have | | | | in wild birds and may be spread to |
| occurred since 1997 according to the World | | | | domesticated fowls and pigs. Recently there |
| Health Organisation.The difference in this | | | | have human infections in several countries in |
| virus, known as H5N1, compared to human flu | | | | Asia as a result of contact with infected |
| and pneumonia is that the avian form spreads | | | | birds and pigs. The virus reads through the |
| through the body at a very fast rate and | | | | human boy very rapidly and affects the lungs, |
| affects the lungs which quickly fill with | | | | which fill with fluid. Health officials are |
| fluid. Symptoms include: fever, sore throat, | | | | concerned about the possibility of widespread |
| cough and, in several of the fatal cases, | | | | human contamination resulting in a new and |
| severe respiratory distress caused by viral | | | | very deadly virus that would spread easily |
| pneumonia.What is the bird flu and why do | | | | between humans ands inflict a high mortality |
| people think it will turn into a pandemic? | | | | rate. While there is a vaccine for the H5N1 |
| What has got health officials worried is that | | | | bird flu virus, it is in short supply and ay |
| the H5N1 virus is able to mutate rapidly and | | | | not offer any resistance to a new bird flu |
| picks up genetic material from viruses | | | | virus. Antioxidant supplements are very |
| affecting other animals. There is then the | | | | effective in boosting the immune system d |
| very real possibility of wide scale human | | | | provide some natural protection against the |
| infection caused by a mutation of a new virus | | | | virus |
| from people who are infected with both the | | | | |
| bird flu and human influenza virus at the | | | | Paul Newland is a health writer, sports |
| same time. The more birds that get infected, | | | | training consultant and martial arts |
| the greater the danger to people and the | | | | instructor and runs the website. |
| increased likelihood that a new 'super virus' | | | | |