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For centuries, people have always panicked at the thought of an outbreak.
Millions of people have fallen victim to incurable diseases, from lack of
medicine or knowledge. It is a fear that creeps into the back of our minds,
making it impossible to not go crazy when the news begins to spit out the
latest disease. After all, it is a terrifying thought. Who wouldn't want
to protect themselves against a deadly presence that is incurable? In this
day and age, illnesses are much easier to diagnose and treat. However, even
with an amazing sundry of medical professionals, problems still lurk in the
shadows, ready to attack.
The newest disease that is making people nervous is the Avian Influenza.
Most commonly known as "Bird Flu," this illness has swept across nations.
It is an infection caused by bird viruses. This contagious virus not only
affects the human body, but it also does quite a number on the bird family.
Generally birds shed the virus through their own feces and saliva. When
other birds come in contact with the infection, whether it be direct contact
or through surfaces, they become contagious immediately.
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While some are
more affected than others, there are two different forms of the virus.
"Domestic" chickens tend to suffer from the Low Pathogenic form. This causes
subtle symptoms, such as less egg production or mild behavior changes. It is
very difficult to recognize this form of the illness. On the other hand, the
High Pathogenic form is much easier to spot out. It not only has a higher
spreading rate, but it also immediately attacks the bird's organs, leading
to death within hours. |
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| Humans
Under Attack Too! |
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Surprisingly, birds are not the only animal to suffer. There have been reports
stating that other creatures such as horses and whales have developed the virus.
This is due to the fact that influenza diseases can often travel to other breeds
and species. Since 1998, studies have shown that many animals have transferred
influenza illnesses.
On the human level, this disease is also dangerous. According to the National
Institute of Allergy and Diseases, "Between January 2004 and March 11,
2005, there were 69 confirmed cases and 46 deaths from the H5N1 infection."
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| A
Pandemic on Our Hands? |
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Today doctors have continuously become worried at the thought of a pandemic.
It is possible for the influenza virus to change and therefore make it easier
for people to become susceptible. If the disease does spread easily from one
human to another, it is quite likely that there will be more than a few hundred
people at risk. However, fearful humans have always been known for overreacting
and hyping up the severity of situations. In this case,
the Bird Flu is a
harmful virus that should indeed be monitored, but there are far less cases of
it in humans than people think. An outbreak of other diseases is much more likely.
Perhaps one should focus on the more important things in life, while still keeping
an eye on new discoveries such as this one.
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