Avian Influenza Virus

Until very recently, media coverage in the United States of the Avian influenza or ‘bird flu’ virus that has already swept across China and the Far East has been relegated to no more than a few lines in the major newspapers and television programs. However, as the threat of the virus entering the United States of America grows increasingly larger, many media outlets are stepping up their coverage, and attempting to educate US citizens of the dangers of the virus. While these efforts are to be largely applauded, it seems that many newspapers and networks are not providing enough real information for the public to make informed decisions, and are instead choosing to dramatize the movement of the virus across Europe and towards the United
Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated secretions or excretions or with surfaces that are contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds. Migratory wildfowl, notably wild ducks, are natural carriers of the viruses, but are unlikely to actually develop an infection. Domesticated birds may become infected with the ‘bird flu’ virus through direct contact with infected wild birds or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces (such as dirt or cages) or materials (such as water or feed) that have been contaminated with the
Since viruses are incapable of reproducing independently they invade and take over a living “host” cell to produce more virus particles. The ‘bird-flu’ is being referred to as a pandemic due to it’s spreading from country to country. In order to be a pandemic, a virus must be highly infectious; it must be able to spread from one person to another in an undetectable way. When a virus becomes less-immediately lethal, it is able to survive in the “host “ in an undetectable state, for a longer period of time. This survival strategy and its contagiousness is what make the ‘bird-flu’ dangerous. Viruses have been responsible for the three largest global outbreaks of disease in the 20th century. All of these incidents involved variations of the influenza virus, or "flu." It’s amazing how these microscopic viruses have killed as many, if not more, people than any other cause in history. As a frequent traveler to Europe, I have many concerns of this virus that has been a huge topic of discussion in our news today. I don’t come in contact with much livestock, and being a vegetarian, I still experience a sense of panic and fear of contracting this deadly virus that makes so much noise by spreading