Bird Flu death
According to the Associated Press, a 31-year-old woman from a far western region in China died recently from the H5N1 strain of bird flu. This is the same strain that has caused the deaths of 251 people since 2003.
This is the 4th death recently and the other three deaths appear not to be related as the reports were coming in three different geographic regions. In all, 22 people in China have died from this strain of flu since 2003.
As in all other human cases reported by WHO, this incident of bird flu appeared to be contracted by contact with poultry or fowl and not transmitted from human to human.
The fear is that a mutation causing human-to-human infection could lead to a worldwide influenza pandemic but as of now, there is no indication this has occurred.
Chinese officials are increasing their monitoring of bird flu outbreaks because the Lunar New Year holiday will be celebrated soon and there will be more contact with chickens and ducks as holiday meals are prepared.
This is the 4th death recently and the other three deaths appear not to be related as the reports were coming in three different geographic regions. In all, 22 people in China have died from this strain of flu since 2003.
As in all other human cases reported by WHO, this incident of bird flu appeared to be contracted by contact with poultry or fowl and not transmitted from human to human.
The fear is that a mutation causing human-to-human infection could lead to a worldwide influenza pandemic but as of now, there is no indication this has occurred.
Chinese officials are increasing their monitoring of bird flu outbreaks because the Lunar New Year holiday will be celebrated soon and there will be more contact with chickens and ducks as holiday meals are prepared.
posted by Anonymous at 5:52 AM
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