Is it true if bird flue gets into pigs it mutates in to far more dangerous flue?
410500
ok, here's probably more than you ever wanted to know about influenza:\n\nThere are three types of influenza, types A, B, and C.  Type A is capable of causing epidemics and pandemics, type B can cause epidemics, and type C only causes mild illness.  \n\nSo:\nThe influenza virus is an enveloped virus and it takes its envelope covering from our own cells.  On its surface it has two proteins, NA and HA.  This is how the strains are determined using the H and N.  The H protein goes under antigenic shift means that it can drastically change, the N protein undergoes drift meaning subtle changes.\n\nThe major pandemics/epidemics are as follows:\n\n1918--H1N1--Spanish flu killed over 100 million people\n1957--H2N2--Asian flu killed ~70 million in the US\n1968--H3N2--Hong Kong flu killed ~34 thousand in the US\n1997--H5N1--bird (avian) flu showed up in Hong Kong, all chickens were slaughtered.  In 2003 it shows up again in chickens as well as other birds, 2 people died after being infected, millions of birds killed\n1999--H9N2--shows up in Hong Kong, 2 children infected but live, ducks and chickens slaughtered in response\n2003--H7N7--shows up in the Netherlands, was extremely virulent and killed off all poultry--evidence of swine infection observed\n1994--H7N2--shows up in New York in bird markets and spreads to commercial poultry\nH7N3 shows up and is only lethal in chickens and turkeys\n2004--H5N1--avian flu shows up again\n   \n\nSo, on to the pig-bird connection:\nbirds have an alpha 2-3 binding ability for the virus, humans have an alpha 2-6 ability.  Pigs however have both.  So, if the virus goes from a bird (with an alpha 2-3 binding ability) into a pig (with both alpha 2-3 and alpha 2-6) the virus can mutate within the pig to utilize an alpha 2-6 affinity.  Therefore the H5N1 avian flu can go from a bird, to a pig, then on to a human very easilly.  Now you may be thinking how often do pigs and chickens really hang out?  Well, in Asia (where most of the new flu strains originate) pigs are often raised along with chickens for economic reasons.  So therefore, it is entirely possible that the flu virus will mutate sometime in the near future and create a pandemic.  So far it hasn't mutated and has only infected a small number of people in its original form.  The virus takes up residence deep in the human lungs and is not spread yet from human to human.  So until the virus mutates via pigs, there really isn't much danger.  But it's only a matter of time.  I hope that explains things.
100573
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.
148948
nope but if it was true then people with the flue should worry about disapearing ha ha ha ....=D
504518
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.
227647
Currently to catch bird flu you need to inhale or ingest some bird poo. A microscopic particle of poo containing the virus is all it needs. The reason for the massive cull is to try and prevent more birds from becoming infected, becasue the more birds it is in, the greater the chance of a mammal such as ourselves or pigs of being infected. To mutate into a deadly pandemic, an H5N1 virus has to infect a cell at the same time as a mammalian flu virus has infected the cell. \n\nSo by destroying the birds in massive culling programs, governments are limiting the possibility of this happening.\n\nIt is safe to eat infected meat as long as it is cooked properly (over 70 degrees for 20min)
834040
They both can be very dangerous, but since the flu is more widely spread and probably more life threatening.  I will say the flu is the worse.
48536
Also, if u don't eat birds (if ur a vegetarian) u won't get the bird flu. Vegetarianism also has a lot of other benefits. The PETA and Vegan Outreach websites have a lot of info on that.
1079785
Depends on how lazy the pigs are in your area!\n smoke it up before they get there, atleast go to jail high...
134487
Bird Flu is transmitted in the respiratory secretions of infected birds.  It is unlikely you'd ever contract the disease unless you had very close contact with live or recently deceased chickens.  Cooking kills the virus.  Currently (thank goodness), it cannot be transmitted from human to human like regular flu can.
609595
No.  It's total fearmongering, just like the governments all over the world did with 9/11, and Anthrax in the mail etc...\n\nA virus cannot try to mutate.  It just does it.  Flu season for this year is almost over, and who knows what will happen in time for next flu season?
756922
actually they are turned into swine
936365
I suppose I would have to. Fortunately there's little chance of that happening. Unless you include pigs that ride aeroplanes.
867049
They dont, birds do. Humans can not catch a virus from birds tho, so there has to be a middleman (well pig). Birds give the virus to hogs, who then with a little twist of the virus give it to humans (hence the first name of swine flew). The best place for this to happen is a place that has both foul & pigs (a farm) so that is why you always hear about chickens & ducks (but it can be any bird).
378832
yes, some insecticides can cause mutations/cancers that can affect future generations.  always use proper respiratory gear and outwear to avoid undue contamination.  always mix and distribute pesticides by FDA and manufactures guidelines.
197139
I saw a show on oprah, where a representative from the CDC was a guest and they were talking about the bird flu. They say that eventually it will become a pandemic. this is if the virus starts to mutate to be able to spread from human to human efficiently. it may not spread quickly, and it might not even get to that point, we hope. but there is a high chance that it could happen. cases are starting to turn up in europe, its' slowly making it wasy across the continents. it will definately hit america, it may not infect many humans, but it will infect birds.
64652
It is possible, but it is also possible that it will mutate into a less virulent form or even a harmelss one.  \nGeorge bush is scared of what can happen.
168402
Viruses are difficult because they mutate. We don't even have the cure for the flue because of the virus keeps changing. \n\nWhen there are more survivors, our bodies will have more resistance like baboons. They are immune to this virus.