Can they carry bird flu?
127796
I do not think mosquitoes are a vector for the N1H5 as we presently know it. However if the virus mutates and human to human contact allows the virus access all bets are off. We would be in for a real world wide mess. Mortality is very high now for humans that contract the virus from birds, but only a few people are involved  presently.
318679
H5N1 is not currently a threat, but the possibility of becoming a threat is very real.  If bird flu were to mutate to a form transmissable from human to human, this could be a potential disaster--similar to the influenza pandemic of 1918 that killed more people than WWI.  The 1918 flu traveled around the world and 20-40 million people died.  It was so bad, it shortened the average life expectancy by 10 years.\n\nRecent DNA studies have shown that this 1918 flu was a bird flu that mutated to infect humans.  It began in people who were in contact with poultry.  This is the reason for all the concern about H5N1--there is the potential for it to happen all over again.  It hasn't happened yet, but if we don't come up with some kind of vaccine, it may be only a matter of time.
276156
All animals can carry bacteria, so this could be possible, but the doctors should be able to detect this.  Best of luck.
240954
Yes,  there's terrorist activities against tourists in the area, bird flu, Poliomyelitis outbreak. Several vaccinations are recommended-  you can see them on the second link for CDC below.  If you take normal precautions like washing your hands, don't eat raw vegies, ect., you should be ok.  Hope your trip is good.\n\nSee the following links for more info:\n\nhttp://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1108.html\n\nhttp://www.cdc.gov/travel/nafrica.htm
330165
right now, you have very little to fear.  the avian flu rarely infects humans and even in the rare instances that it does, it can not be transmitted from human to human.  however, the virus that is currently infecting birds (H5N1) can also infect pigs and while in the pigs it can transform into a strain that can infect humans (do to surface protein affinity--very long story).  that's when you need to worry.  but it hasn't happened yet.
673828
Its real, but its a non-issue.\n\nBird flu is just BS by the Bush administration to distract people's attention away from the war in Iraq. Its not contageous among people. You have to be exposed to the dander of an infected bird.\n\nREALITY CHECK: Since 1998 when bird flu was discovered in Hong Kong......\n... About 100 people died from bird flu.\n... About 3,000,000 people died from regular flu.\n\nSo which flu do we need to worry about the most?
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.
180194
First things first: Bird Flu in a human is of minimal concern until the virus learns how to go from person to person.  The presence of AIDS has nothing whatever to do with that; it just makes the AIDS victim more susceptible to the virus, when it finds its way on board.\n\nOnce it becomes able to spread from person to person, if it retains its virulence (not a guarantee, but it's a bet that we'd better hedge) it'll decimate the population.  The AIDS victims might go faster, and have a higher mortality rate--frankly, it's not unlikely that such would be the case--but it would be devastating.\n\nFURTHER CAVEAT!!!  If, as appears likely, a functional vaccine against Avian Influenza (what docs call Bird Flu) is available by the time that happens, the AIDS patients will be likely to suffer more, but they won't be alone; other immunologically compromised folks (the malnourished, the frail elderly, the multiply-chronically-ill, and others) will be easy victims, too.  The younger and vigorous will have a much better chance if there is a vaccine.  The same is true if novel neuraminidase inhibitors are developed to treat the disease, too.\n\nThis is a remarkably superficial analysis, but I think it contains the basics.
636114
Europe set to announce task force on bird flu\nEU - Europe will shortly unveil a task force for coordinating the continent's fight against bird flu, a leading European virologist said at a conference on H5N1 avian influenza.  Reuters - Thursday, June 29, 2006\nEconomic impact of bird flu hinges on panic - experts\nWASHINGTON - The severity of a global economic slowdown caused by a bird flu pandemic, estimated to slash 1 to 12 percent off world output, largely depends on how people and governments react, economists said on Wednesday. Bloomberg - Thursday, June 29, 2006\nSevere Flu Pandemic May Cost Up to $2 Trillion, World Bank Says\nA flu outbreak killing 70 million people worldwide may cause global economic losses of as much as $2 trillion, a World Bank official said. \nA slump in tourism, transportation and retail sales, as well as workplace absenteeism and lower productivity, may cause the world economy to shrink by 3.1 percent, said Milan Brahmbhatt, a lead adviser in the East Asia region, citing a study by the Washington-based World Bank. The study predicted a surge in corporate bankruptcies in companies with a high level of debt to equity, such as airlines.  Reuters - Thursday, June 29, 2006\nSingapore lifts ban on Malaysian poultry imports\nSINGAPORE - Singapore will lift a ban on imports of poultry and poultry products from neighbouring Malaysia after Malaysia declared that it is free from bird flu, officials said on Wednesday. \nAfter a three-month suspension, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said it will lift the poultry import ban on the northern states of Perak and Selangor with effect from June 30.  The China Post - Wednesday, June 28, 2006\nClosing borders would be last bird flu option, U.S. official says\nUS - Closing U.S. borders would be the last option to combat the spread of bird flu, a senior State Department official said Monday. \nIt is far down the list of remedies because it would be unlikely to decrease the number of cases, would interrupt essential services and disrupt lawful border crossings, said Paula J. Dobriansky, undersecretary of state for democracy and global affairs. Bloomberg - Wednesday, June 28, 2006\nBird Flu Fatalities Almost Triple, Spurring Need for Treatments\nBird flu fatalities have almost tripled this year as the lethal virus spread across Asia, Europe and Africa, prompting calls for increased supplies of medicines to fight the virus and any pandemic it might spawn.  AND - Tuesday, June 27, 2006\nFear of bird flu panics Zambians\nZAMBIA - The mysterious death of wild birds this week has panicked Zambians, fearing the arrival of avian influenza in Zambia long-recognised as vulnerable to the deadly H5N1 virus. \nPoultry Association of Zambia executive director Mathews Ngosa said a delay by the government in confirming whether Zambia had become the seventh African country to suffer an outbreak has "killed our industry as people are now avoiding eating chickens".  People's Daily Online - Tuesday, June 27, 2006\nBangladesh takes emergency program to prevent avian influenza\nBANGLADESH - Bangladeshi government has taken up an emergency program to prevent spreading of avian influenza, widely known as bird flu virus, in Bangladesh, private news agency UNB reported Monday.  Food Production Daily - Monday, June 26, 2006\nScientists issue caution against mass poultry vaccination\nEU - With confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission of the avian influenza virus, scientists are now warning that mass vaccination of domestic poultry may hinder detection of the deadly H5N1 strain of the disease.  The Guardian - Sunday, June 25, 2006\nFirst cases found of avian flu caught from wild \nAZERBAIJAN - Four people have died after catching avian flu from infected swans, in the first confirmed cases of the disease being passed from wild birds, scientists have revealed.  Cidrap - Saturday, June 24, 2006\nH5N1 mutation allegedly showed human transmission in Indonesia\nINDONE
200858
I know this wasn't really your question, but don't get too panicked about this.  There are other, more immediate threats to your health that you should worry about more than if they bird flue mutates.  You're more likely, at least in the immediate future to be run over by a car, for instance, so look both ways before you cross the street!\n\nIf you feel the need to stockpile food, this might be helpful for you psychologically.  Know, however, that they are working on a vaccination that may come in time.
116294
The influenza virus has been around for a very long time. Various types of influenza occur in birds, pigs and cows. The closer the contact between humans and animals carrying their form of this virus, the greater the chance a human will be infected with a form of influenza.\n\nYou want to know the "reason" for the disease, I am afraid only someone who is omniscient could answer that question. This is like most diseases. Why is there a cold virus? I certainly don't know. What I do know is how it is transmitted.\n\nIf you wish to know everything known about avian influenza, its history and everything else, I will undertake a consulting contract and still not be able to answer all those questions as the answers are not know to medical science.\n\nWhat is your assignment? How many pages does your teacher wish and at what level? Please frame your question in somewhat specific terms. This is very much like asking what is the meaning of life.I can only answer parts of the question. Break it into parts and I will try to help you.
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.
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
212261
The highly pathogenic form of H5N1 avian influenza virus has not been found in wild birds in North America. \n\nIn 2005, a low pathogenic form of H5N1, which is not thought to pose a danger to poultry or humans, was found in wild ducks in Canada. There is a chance that infected wild birds from Asia could bring the highly pathogenic form of the virus with them during spring or fall migration to North America. \n\nThe US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Geological Survey (USGS), Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and public health agencies are working together to test thousands of waterfowl and shorebirds for the virus in Alaska, and field sampling is being integrated with surveillance programs throughout the United States and Canada.
142205
im from indonesia, its so damn dangerous in my country. the bird flu has spread everywhere. you must take care for your pet.
433963
it could be mono or a flu virus
203344
Relax.  The media in the US is making people crazy about bird flu.  The rest of the world isn't concerned. Turn off the tv.