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Tuesday, 05 June 2007 |
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Asia is one of the areas where bird flu has created a reason for concern. Bird flu in Asia is quite common that continues to cause to pose health risks for those who live there. Although bird flu does not normally infect humans, direct contact with contaminated surfaces or infected birds can definitely put people at risk for bird flu in Asia. At present the H5N1 virus, which is a strain of bird flu, is active in Asia, parts of Europe and Africa. Migrating birds are responsible for the spread of bird flu in Asia and the other areas affected.
Unfortunately for areas exposed to the H5N1 strain of bird flu, there is little natural immunity to the virus. Health professionals have treated individuals infected with the bird flu in Asia with medications normally prescribed for typical influenza such as amantadine and rimantadine. These drugs have proved to be effective in some cases of bird flu in Asia. There are ongoing studies and research regarding a vaccine for the H5N1 bird flu strain. Medical professionals are hoping to one day see positive results from this research. The strain of bird flu in Asia right now is not extremely risky to humans. However viruses have the ability to change and the future may introduce a strain of the bird flu in Asia that spreads easily from human to human. Health professionals fear if this should happen, there is potential for a pandemic. In America people hear about bird flu in other parts of the world but it’s not something they have to deal with or worry about on a daily basis. Bird flu in Asia is a worry for those who live there, one that poses threats to human life. To learn more about the H5N1 virus and other strains of bird flu, an individual can find plenty of information on the Internet through the many medical websites and sites created specifically about bird flu in Asia and throughout the world. |
