Avian Influenza Viruses

Influenza viruses that infect birds are called “ avian influenza viruses.” Only influenza A viruses infect birds. All known subtypes of influenza A virus can infect birds. However, there are substantial genetic differences between the subtypes that typically infect both people and birds. Within subtypes of avian influenza viruses there also are different strains (described in “Strains”).

The virus can be treated with the help of vaccines or medications like Relenza (http://www.drugdelivery.ca/s33713-s-RELENZA.aspx )

Avian influenza H5 and H7 viruses can be distinguished as “low pathogenic” and “high pathogenic” forms on the basis of genetic features of the virus and the severity of the illness they cause in poultry; influenza H9 virus has been identified only in a “low pathogenicity” form. Each of these three avian influenza viruses (H5, H7, and H9) can theoretically be partnered with any one of nine neuraminidase surface proteins; thus, there are potentially nine different forms of each subtype (e.g., H5N1, H5N2, H5N3,…H5N9).

Below is summary information about these three prominent subtypes of avian influenza virus:
Influenza A H5

* Potentially nine different subtypes
* Can be highly pathogenic or low pathogenic
* H5 infections have been documented among humans, sometimes causing severe illness and death

Influenza A H7

* Potentially nine different subtypes
* Can be highly pathogenic or low pathogenic
* H7 infection in humans is rare, but can occur among persons who have close contact with infected birds; symptoms may include conjunctivitis and/or upper respiratory symptoms

Influenza A H9

* Potentially nine different subtypes
* Documented only in low pathogenic form
* Three H9 infections in humans have been confirmed.

According to a research H5N1 bird flu is developing the ability to spread among people, whole world is looking toward Tamiflu as a solution as it is the only available antiviral drug known to block the reproduction of the virus. But questions which really worrying me is can the drug really help to stop a rising flu pandemic? We are set to deal with the flu? If the answer is yes then it is ok but if we don’t have real solution of flu it may cause threat to human civilization with its capability of spreading quickly among birds and human being’s. I have visited the site having URL http://www.drugdelivery.ca/s3353-s-tamiflu.aspx . You may visit this site for more information on this topic and also for lot of information on Tamiflu.

First of all, in an average year the flu - just the everyday flu, kills over 100,000 + people a year. This bird flu has been around for three years or so. It has killed about 200 persons.

It has not yet "jumped species." Those that have contracted it have been those involved in the handling of birds. Many of those that have died are children on farms. By and large, it is a hard flu to catch.

If the illness does jump to humans in a big way I doubt Tamiflu, or anything else, will be of much use as the nature of the illness in humans can only be determined when it starts to infect humans. It is only then that a vaccine can be developed as the virus will have mutated into a form that might not respond to any known vaccine.

better safe than sorry...when can I get my relenza?