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United States versus bird flu

Avian influenza or bird flu, as it is more commonly known, is a viral disease that has been sweeping Asia, and other countries, for over two years. Some choose to ignore the threat, but most health experts agree that we see now in the Eastern Hemisphere may soon be witnessed throughout the world. Since the first outbreaks of bird flu registered in late 2003, there have been over 140 deaths around the world and decimated entire populations of poultry. Some estimates say an influenza pandemic (worldwide epidemic) could infect hundreds of millions and cause serious social disruption.

With these concerns in mind, the United States has been monitoring the situation and a general fear that the disease could spread to its territory, thus local and federal authorities have delivered a plan to prevent and be prepared to deal with an outbreak of bird flu in the country possible. And when it is not clear whether this happen but one can look at past experiences and events in search of clues to the seriousness of the threat is really for the American country.

Recent violent outbreaks in places like Indonesia, which is a worst-affected country, with 47 people in Asia, are followed by the discoveries of viruses of low pathogenicity bird flu in some places in the U.S. The first to raise fears was the case of two wild swans live on a lake in the state of Michigan. Routine tests found traces a mild form of avian influenza virus in birds. The announcement was made by a White House spokesman, with details given later by officials from the Departments of Agriculture and Interior. While the news was very important, experts say there is no reason to worry, as the virus in question is in no way connected to how Asia is not a threat to humans. More recently, wild mallard ducks in Queen Anne County, Maryland, were found to carry the same pathogen. The same is assurances from U.S. officials and although some people see this as a preview of possible outbreaks of bird flu, health experts say it soft and low pathogenic strains of avian flu such as this are common in the United States and other countries. Since 1975, low pathogenic strain of H5N1 (highly pathogenic form of what is causing high mortality in Asia) has been found in six other occasions on U.S. soil.

However, claims other researchers caution that a more aggressive form of the disease could reach the American continent as early as this fall. In fact, summer is a fairly quiet for the virus and the large number of cases in Asia during this time because the virus residing there for a long period of time. Come fall, large populations wild bird cover thousands of miles on regular migration routes. These birds are natural carriers of the virus and is also very resistant to it. Therefore, it can carry the disease over long distances without falling sick or succumb to disease and to show an infection. One reason of concern is the territory of Alaska. Its proximity to Asia, one of the possible entry points for disease. It is also a meeting place for waterfowl, such as wild birds in Asia and America chosen as feeding and nesting environment during the summer months. U.S. Authorities have launched a plan for the summer of 2006, which have included the testing of over 15,000 birds of 27 species in the region.

The program was expanded nationally and can be read in www.bird-flu-center.com, such as constant monitoring and testing is seen as an effective method of preparation for a possible outbreak of the disease. Biologists are established to test tens of thousands of birds. Locally, individual counties have also developed pandemic plans and are conducting exercises for a worst case scenario. Hospitals are creating special units for patients with avian influenza, while schools and universities are preparing. In the case of a pandemic, social disruption could force these institutions to close, it would be a suitable environment for the spread of the virus. Another preventive measure is the ban on imports of poultry and poultry products from countries where bird flu has been found.

Although it is generally believed that some form of bird flu epidemic will occur, there are those who downplay the warnings. However, countries around the world choose to play the security card and take preventive measures. gloomy forecasts say if a pandemic occurs, it will kill 1.7 million Americans in the first year as a vaccine takes months to produce after the start of an epidemic. Moreover, still expect that the disease will be contained and treated before before that result was reached. It is ultimately only a matter of wait and see.

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