Why is avian influenza (bird flu) of such concern?
Although a new influenza virus could appear at any time, much of the recent focus has centered on the potential threat posed by the outbreak of avian influenza. Avian flu is caused by the H5N1 strain of Influenza A. The disease has caused the deaths of millions of birds through illness and by destroying the birds to prevent further spread. Avian flu has also caused human deaths. As of February 3, 2007 the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 165 deaths among 271 human cases of avian flu. The latest data on the number of cases can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/cases_table_2006_01_05/en/index.html. Most of these cases have resulted from people having direct or close contact with H5N1-infected poultry or H5N1-contaminated surfaces. The concern is that the avian flu virus will develop the ability to spread easily from person to person.
