Are we going to die of bird flu?
128794
Nope, not everyone...................................
89386
Key Facts About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus\nE-mail this page\nPrinter-friendly version\nWhat You Should Know About Avian Flu\nKey Facts\nInfections in Humans\nQuestions & Answers\nCurrent Situation\nThis fact sheet provides general information about avian influenza (bird flu) and information about one type of bird flu, called avian influenza A (H5N1), that has caused infections in birds in Asia and Europe and in humans in Asia. Also see Questions and Answers on the CDC website and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the World Health Organization (WHO) website.\n\nAvian Influenza (Bird Flu)\nAvian influenza in birds\nAvian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.\n\nInfected birds shed influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated secretions or excretions or with surfaces that are contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds. Domesticated birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces (such as dirt or cages) or materials (such as water or feed) that have been contaminated with the virus.\n\nInfection with avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry causes two main forms of disease that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The “low pathogenic” form may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production). However, the highly pathogenic form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form may cause disease that affects multiple internal organs and has a mortality rate that can reach 90-100% often within 48 hours.\n\nHuman infection with avian influenza viruses\nThere are many different subtypes of type A influenza viruses. These subtypes differ because of changes in certain proteins on the surface of the influenza A virus (hemagglutinin [HA] and neuraminidase [NA] proteins). There are 16 known HA subtypes and 9 known NA subtypes of influenza A viruses. Many different combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible. Each combination represents a different subtype. All known subtypes of influenza A viruses can be found in birds.\n\nUsually, “avian influenza virus” refers to influenza A viruses found chiefly in birds, but infections with these viruses can occur in humans. The risk from avian influenza is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans. However, confirmed cases of human infection from several subtypes of avian influenza infection have been reported since 1997. Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.\n\n“Human influenza virus” usually refers to those subtypes that spread widely among humans. There are only three known A subtypes of influenza viruses (H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2) currently circulating among humans. It is likely that some genetic parts of current human influenza A viruses came from birds originally. Influenza A viruses are constantly changing, and they might adapt over time to infect and spread among humans.\n\nDuring an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry, there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that
145024
I am in the health care field and I would like to tell you that this is ridiculous.  The media is going around scaring people again.  The bird flu has less then a 3 percent chance of ever mutating into a human virus.  It may come here and be something like the west nile virus, killing a few elderly and young.  This reminds me of SARS again, a virus being overblown when in actuality it is almost harmless.  Wake up people and learn things for yourself instead of listening to whatever the tv says.
26278
Together pneumonia and influenza are the seventh leading cause of death in the US. The age-adjusted\ndeath rate was 21.9 per 100,000 for pneumonia. The total number of deaths attributed to pneumonia in the USA (in 2001, the latest date I could find) was 61,777.\n\nTrends in Pneumonia and Influenza:\nhttp://www.lungusa.org/atf/cf/{7A8D42C2-FCCA-4604-8ADE-7F5D5E762256}/PI1.PDF
261549
Because he wants to be seen as being ahead of the curve.  The CDC is Ginning up the horror mill again ( remember how SARS was going to KIll us all) H5N1 is a normal virus with a mortality rate of less than 1 percent. Way less, The regions of the country where there have been deaths, attributable to H5N1 or not ( it is inconclusive as to whether or not these individuals died of contact with this virus or another pathogen) have been reported as less than 100 people. And that is in regions where people sleep with their chickens. And incidental also home to 1/6 the worlds population so the actual Recordable mortality rate is some where around 100:1000000000. Yeah you counted it right 100 in a billion that you will die of this disease.  But hey Make Politics while the sun shines right?
281226
Keep up to date on bird flu (don't rely on a WIKI!)\n\nSee the World Health Organisation site:\n\nhttp://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/\n\nIf you prefer an American site, see the Centers for Disease Control:\n\nhttp://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm
609288
no, in the us we just have very strict poultry handling standards and currently it can only be passed on by comming in contact with contaminated meat or excrement, if it changes to be able to transmit from human to human it will affect us
116252
There is nothing the governments can do. There simply is not enough of the vaccine for birds to make it worthwhile vaccinating. It is safe to eat infected meat. Despite any stories in the press, or what you hear from your mate down the pub, H5N1 is an ordinary avain (bird) flu virus. Cook your chicken for over 20min at over 70degrees, and you'll be fine.\n\nPlease bear in mind as well that if it mutates into a viable human pathogen it will take approximately 6months to come up with a useful vaccine, and 6months to produce enough for the UK.\n\nWould just like to point out that it requires just ONE mutation for H5N1 to spread between humans. Its called a genetic shift - a bird flu virus (in this case H5N1) and a mammalian virus enter the same cell, and there is swapping of DNA. Remember - one mutation is all it takes.
59778
It is called the foot and mouth diseae which attackes cattle like pigs, cows, goats and so on. Looks like livestocks, including chickens that spread the bird flu are not to be taken for the time being. If you worry, take fish only or opt to be a vegeterian instead.Meantime, protection yourself by taking lots fruits becos they contain Vit.C and eating raw garlic or pills form of it.
111504
As of now, several answers to your questions are unknown. While this disease has been in the news for quite a while, it is still a new disease, and we don't know much about it yet. Only time will tell what is going to happen, and what the effects of this disease are.\n\nHere is what is known about it:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_flu
584362
No not true...but sneezing is the closest that you come to dying....b/c when you sneeze your organs stop for that second....
39697
Yes touching raw chicken contaminated with the bird flu virus can make you sick. I would say that it is best to wear gloves during preparation, wash hands thoroughly before and after preparation, disinfect surfaces that had contact with the raw poultry. You should also make sure  that the raw poultry does not drip unto other foods that will be eaten raw.
129853
I think they would have to. That pic is probably the CDC not taking any chances, but if someone showed up with it, they couldn't keep doctors and hospitals quiet. I hate to say it, but the US has enough on its plate now not having to deal with Bird Flu.
231827
This flue is not normal in humans, so thast why government is worried about it. Y?? it doesnt cause only fever, it kills. Actually there is no cure for this desease, only treatment for the consecuences and thats y people is  dying. Cause it affects lungs (blood in lungs), so people stop breathing. And u know most of the people int he world r poor so they wont be able to get this treatment and will die.\nAlso this virus could mutate, and people will get it by being close of an infected person. Cause now u get it ionly if u eat chicken meat. So thats y they r worried, cause they dont have medication, and it would be a pendemia soon if they dont find solutions.
522601
i do not worry about any of that stuff... i believe that when your time is up thats it...why worry, something is GOING to kill you whether it be an accident, sickness, or old age.  Worrying will only cause stress in your life which my wind up killing you in the long run.  So I say why worry about things like bird flu, SARS, West Nile, etc, etc.
19703
If it breaks out, and we have Tamiflu available, then no, if we haven't stockpiled enough, yes, because travel and transportation is easier, so more would get infected.  Also, this flu is supposed to kill 50% of the people it infects.
131220
Its glandular fever and as far as i know, Ive never heard of deaths from mono. The only way i could imagine someone dying frm it is if they have a compromised immune system eg under intense chemo