| Outbreaks of avian influenza H5N1 have been | | | | virus developing a new highly contagious virus that |
| reported in countries such as China, Indonesia, | | | | could spread easily among humans, that is able to |
| Japan, South Korea, Thailand or Vietnam during | | | | lead, just like H5N1, to a pandemic. |
| 2003 and 2004. In these countries it is believed | | | | Other seasonal influenza viruses that have |
| that more than 100 million birds have been | | | | crossed the species barrier and affected humans |
| affected by the bird flu and died. | | | | were not as dangerous as H5N1 is. This severe |
| Outbreaks have been reported later on in about | | | | subtype of bird flu viruses is one of the most |
| the same countries. A general specialist's opinion | | | | complicated influenza viruses that usually lead to a |
| says that outbreaks will not stop. Europe was | | | | quick death. H5N1 is a virus that, if affects |
| affected too. Countries such as Turkey and | | | | humans, it will lead to the development of severe |
| Romania were also affected. Croatia also had to | | | | diseases of the internal organs. The problems that |
| manage this problem because of the wild | | | | may be caused by H5N1 are eye problems, |
| migratory birds. | | | | severe respiratory problems and even pneumonia. |
| Even if bird flu or avian influenza is common | | | | In humans this type of infection appears to be |
| among birds, some cases of humans infected | | | | resistant to all available treatments. It was proved |
| with the virus are known. Infections of H5N1 | | | | that antiviral medicines, commonly used for |
| were reported among humans in China, Indonesia, | | | | treatment of patients with influenza, such as |
| Thailand, Turkey or Vietnam. | | | | amantadine and rimantadine have no effect. Two |
| H5N1 is one of the most severe forms of bird flu. | | | | other types of antiviral medicines, oseltamivir and |
| A high percentage of the infected humans have | | | | zanamavir would be probably efficient to treat |
| ended up dead. It is a good thing that this highly | | | | influenza but specialists must study further to |
| pathogenic virus does not spread from one | | | | develop a secure treatment. |
| person to another. | | | | No vaccine is developed yet but specialists are |
| The great concern of the specialists is that the | | | | working on it. It is known that since April 2005 |
| H5N1 or any other specific bird flu virus may | | | | researchers try to develop an efficient vaccine. |
| affect humans and merge with another human flu | | | | |