| Asia is one of the most affected areas when | | | | area is Asia. The virus spreads quickly and |
| it comes to the influenza A H5N1, or bird | | | | it is being shed in the birds' saliva, nasal |
| flu. Countries like China, Korea, India or | | | | secretions or faeces. At least 9 birds out of |
| Vietnam had to face the bird flu pandemics. | | | | 10 die after developing this virus. |
| In the year when all Asia was thinking about | | | | |
| the tsunami that swept across the Indian | | | | H5N1 is the virus that realized the crossing |
| Ocean another disaster occurred. Two children | | | | of the species barrier. In 1997 it was |
| died in Vietnam because of the virus causing | | | | registered the first case of bird flu virus |
| bird flu. This problem occurred in 2005 could | | | | passed to a human. This took place during the |
| lead to even more damage than the disastrous | | | | outbreak of avian influenza among poultry in |
| tsunami so a special attention was given to | | | | Hong Kong. Because of this virus six people |
| it. | | | | died. |
| | | | |
| We can also mention the flu pandemic in 1918 | | | | Some specialists believe that new flu |
| that killed more than 20 million people all | | | | pandemics will occur in the same regions as |
| over the world. Remembering about it the | | | | before. The believed cause is that people |
| specialists began to worry about another | | | | live close to their animals that can be |
| pandemic. | | | | carrying the virus. As an example we might |
| | | | say that a domestic duck may carry H5N1 |
| The occurrence in humans of this type of | | | | without symptoms and only after a period to |
| virus that is mostly common among birds gave | | | | release it. |
| the specialists a sign that viruses are | | | | |
| beginning to change or even mutating. This | | | | In the last years the health organizations |
| meant a threat for the whole population. | | | | got to the conclusion that more than 150 |
| | | | people died because of bird flu. The reported |
| H5N1 is a virus that usually affects birds. | | | | cases of infected people are higher, up to |
| It occurs is wild birds that are not | | | | 264 cases. |
| affected. These birds spread the virus among | | | | |
| the domestic birds which are in danger. The | | | | A greater problem is the conclusion of a |
| virus affects their internal organs and may | | | | study that says that besides birds, mice and |
| lead to death in most of the cases. | | | | cats may become infected too. This proves |
| | | | that the virus mutates and may, anytime lead |
| More important is that H5N1 is getting more | | | | to a human H5N1 pandemic. |
| and more common among birds. The favorite | | | | |