Avian Flu

Paper Summary:

This paper presents an examination of avian flu (commonly known as "bird flu"). The writer explores the facts and myths surrounding the flu. It then compares it to past pandemics, such as the Spanish Flu pandemic, that have become a reality and killed large numbers of people. The paper discusses what may be expected if the avian flu does become a pandemic.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Flu
Why the Concern
If It Happens
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"According to experts the basis for the concern is the fact that like the Spanish Flu pandemic the Avian Flu, if it mutates will present a flu virus to the system that humans have never before experienced. As people age they build immunities and those immunities help their systems fight additional illnesses that they are exposed to or contract. With the Avian Flu the strain of viral infection is one that has never before in recorded history been introduced to the human body and that makes it extremely deadly.
If the flu does become a pandemic it is estimated that it will kill more than 50 million people world wide and more than half a million in the US. Even more concerning is the belief by experts that at least 250,000 of those killed in the United States will be young healthy adult Americans (Daugherty, 2005)."
"With most flues the only real danger is to the elderly, the infants or those who have chronic health issues such as asthma, diabetes or other medical problems. With the Avian flu it will most likely attack and kill many people who have no health issues which makes precautions important to everyone, not just the weak or immune compromised."

Sample of Sources Used:

• THREAT OF AVIAN FLU CONCERNS EXPERTS The Palm Beach Post; 9/12/2005; JANE DAUGHERTY, Palm Beach Post Staff WriterThe Palm Beach Post09-12-2005
• avian flu | fact & fiction H5N1 Though health experts express concern, they caution against panic: There is no pandemic yet, and steps can be taken to limit bird flu's spread. St. Louis Post-Dispatch; 12/25/2005; Tina Hesman; ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH St. Louis Post-Dispatch 12-25-2005
• FLAT-FOOTED ON FLU; 'Nobody is prepared' for avian outbreak-and that includes Chicago.(News) Crain's Chicago Business; October 10, 2005; Singh, Shruti Date; 813 Words
• Risk avian flu poses to humans remains hard to determine. Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL); 10/31/2005; Dorning, Mike Byline: Mike Dorning

More papers on Avian Flu:

• Essay # 89390 : "The Avian Flu"
• Essay # 87714 : "Avian Flu and the Pandemic Threat in Late 2005"
• Essay # 88185 : "Asia and Avian Flu"

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