Читать книгу 100 Ways to Boost Your Immune System - Theresa Cheung, Theresa Cheung - Страница 14

Known as ‘avian influenza’, bird flu is a viral disease caused by different strains of the influenza virus. It mostly infects birds. Recent outbreaks in Europe have largely been caused by a highly contagious and virulent strain of the virus known as ‘H5N1’. At present, H5N1 is only mildly infectious to humans who have been in contact with infected birds and it cannot be transmitted from one human to another. However, virus experts fear that the H5N1 virus could mutate and be transferred to humans, or combine with other influenza viruses already infecting humans, causing a 21st-century flu pandemic on the scale of the ‘Spanish flu’ that followed World War I, which killed over 50 million people worldwide.

Research suggests that flu drugs, such as Relenza and Tamiflu, are effective treatments for the disease, although there is concern that such drugs may not be as readily available or as effective as hoped if the virus mutates. In addition, a number of companies are trying to develop a vaccine, although this is proving difficult as the flu virus mutates frequently and the vaccines need to be constantly modified.

Despite growing concern, health experts strongly advise the public not to panic as there is no immediate threat to humans. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has effective disease-control measures in place in areas where outbreaks have occurred or are likely to occur. Currently, the WHO is also creating an emergency plan to handle a pandemic and governments are stockpiling antiviral medications. The best way to protect yourself is to keep your immune system as strong as possible by following the guidelines in this book and by staying away from infected birds.