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World Health Organization Warns of Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) Pandemic
The director-general of the World Health Organization has issued a severe warning that another influenza pandemic based on avian influenza or Asian bird flu is fast approaching. "There is a storm brewing that will test us all. We must anticipate it and prepare to the very best of our combined ability," Director-General Dr. Lee Jong-wook stated at the Pan American Health Organization's 46 th Directing council meeting for health ministers from throughout the Americas.
"Forecasts indicate that the political, social and economic costs of such a pandemic will be huge. I cannot emphasize this enough. Failure to take this threat seriously and prepare appropriately will have catastrophic consequences," Dr. Lee said.
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History of Bird Flu Pandemic
Avian flu or bird flu, emerged in Asia in late 2003 and spread rapidly in birds and other animals igniting fears that it could mutate into a worldwide human pandemic, possibly killing tens of millions of people. "Massive international collaboration is now needed on the advance preparation of global antiviral stockpiles and pandemic vaccine development," Dr. Lee advised. The most popular anti-viral drug on the market is Tamiflu.
The flu pandemics of 1957 and 1968 originated as avian flu viruses and experts say that another bird flu pandemic is inevitable and possibly imminent. In several parts of Asia, the Asian bird flu virus has established a strong niche amongst the bird population and is spreading to different parts of the world. Cases of the bird flu virus have been reported in Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation as the virus heads west. Due to the recent spread of bird flu, sales of Tamiflu have skyrocketed.
Avian influenza viruses rarely affect species other than birds and pigs; however, the virus mutates and could possibly acquire the ability to be transmitted from human to human. The establishment of efficient human-to-human transmission is the only prerequisite remaining for the start of a devastating global flu outbreak. In humans, Tamiflu prevents the replication of common flu strains that occur yearly.
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Bird Flu Symptoms
Bird flu symptoms are similar to other types of flu. People can experience fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and conjunctivitis. Other early bird flu symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lung pain, and bleeding from the nose and gums. Around five days after contracting bird flu, symptoms emerge in the respiratory system and death usually results from respiratory failure. Treatment with Tamiflu, diminishes these symptoms and shortens the duration of bird flu.
Recent research has shown that viruses of low pathogenicity can, after circulation for short periods in poultry populations, mutate into highly pathogenic viruses. In 1983 during an epidemic in the US, the H5N2 bird flu virus initially caused low mortality but within six months evolved to a highly pathogenic virus with a mortality rate close to 90%. The outbreak ended up costing $65 million USD as more than 17 million birds infected with bird flu had to be destroyed. In a similar epidemic that took place from 1999-2001 in Italy, the H7N1 virus started out having low pathogenicity and mutated within 9 months to a highly pathogenic form. More than 13 million birds died or were destroyed.
According to the World Health Organization, 115 cases of the H5N1 bird flu virus have occurred in four Asian countries killing 57 people since late 2003. Experts are urging countries to stockpile antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and work at developing vaccines to combat the spread and severity of the bird flu.
