Race Against Killer Flu
National Geographic. (2005). Race against killer flu. [Video file].
In 1918, the Spanish flu left over 50 million people dead. It was the worst pandemic in recent history. Recent research confirmed it was an avian flu. Today H5N1, otherwise known as Bird Flu, is threatening the human race, mutating in similar ways to the Spanish flu at breakneck speed. H5N1 has claimed human lives in South Asia and has been detected in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It could become an airborne contagion at any time.
Interactive Map
- HealthMap.org. (2018). Dengue Map. Retrieved from http://www.healthmap.org/zika/#timeline
Computational Epidemiology Lab has created a website to show how emerging technologies can help clarify patterns of disease and promote public health. This interactive map and timeline provides information on the Dengue virus.
Introduction
"Bird flu, also called avian influenza, a viral respiratory disease mainly of poultry and certain other bird species, including migratory waterbirds, some imported pet birds, and ostriches, that can be transmitted directly to humans. The first known cases in humans were reported in 1997, when an outbreak of avian influenza A virus subtype H5N1 in poultry in Hong Kong led to severe illness in 18 people, one-third of whom died." (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2017)
Bird Flu Websites
- World Health Organisation (2018). Bird Flu. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/ith/diseases/avianinfluenza/en/
Avian Flu is caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus or other non-human influenza subtypes (e.g. H7, H9). Human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus occur through bird-to-human, possibly environment-to-human and, very rarely, limited, non-sustained human-to-human transmission. Direct contact with infected poultry, or with surfaces and objects contaminated by their droppings, is the main route of transmission to humans. - Better Health Victoria. (2014, July). Bird Flu (avian influenza). Retrieved from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/bird-flu-avian-influenzaBird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a type A influenza virus. It is lethal to poultry and is potentially fatal in humans. Bird flu spreads between both wild and domesticated birds. It has also been passed from birds to humans who are in close contact with poultry or other birds.
- Australian Government. (2018). Bird Flu. Retrieved from http://www.health.gov.au/avian_influenzaThere are many types of influenza viruses that usually only infect birds; these are called avian influenza viruses. Very rarely, an avian influenza virus can also infect people. Some avian influenza viruses, such as H5N1 or H7N9, have been associated with human disease.
