Bird Flu - Cause for concern: New Influenza variants reported
As scientists mumble behind closed doors that it is not a question of if Bird Flu makes the species jump to humans, but when, researchers have created a highly pathogenic strain of Influenza in a laboratory. After another death from Bird Flu in Egypt, the WHO stresses the need for vigilance of variant influenza viruses.
The Egyptian health authorities have confirmed that the healthy, 29-year-old man hospitalised on December 15 with Influenza A H5N1 (Bird Flu) after developing the symptoms one week previously, died on December 19 despite undergoing treatment with oseltamivir. Of the 156 cases of A H5N1 in Egypt, there have been 54 fatalities.
WHO: The importance of monitoring Influenza variants
The World Health Organization this week reported "several human infections with variant influenza viruses currently thought to be circulating in swine populations" which have so far been contained to small clusters. The WHO also refers to the incidence of bird-to-human transmission of Bird Flu, or A H5N1, which is also contained inside clusters.
However, claims the WHO, "because influenza viruses are unpredictable, they have the possibility to change and become more transmissable among humans as shown by the emergence of the influenza pandemic H1N1 virus in 2009". The WHO therefore urges all health authorities to be vigilant and reminds them it is compulsory to report all new strains of flu observed...
No comments:
Post a Comment