Dr Bird’s “Bird Flu” page.
Avian Influenza A, otherwise known as the “Bird flu”, is a virus with a growing potential to blossom into a world-wide pandemic that scientists warn could kill millions of people. Normally only infecting poultry, there are now cases of humans contracting and dying from Bird Flu. Health officials warn that if this current Bird Flu mutates into a form of the virus that easily transmits from person to person- a worldwide epidemic, or “pandemic” could start. Because Bird Flu is genetically different than usual form of human influenza, if someone were infected with a mutant strain of the Bird Flu, the body’s ability to fight off the virus would be weak- at best. Historically, pandemic strains of influenza are the most deadly. While the pandemic of 1957 was described as “moderate” and pandemic of 1968 as “wimpy,” the stone-cold killer outbreak of 1918 accounted for 25 million deaths worldwide. Scientists warn that the conditions are ripe for a new outbreak and it is just a matter of time before the world is faced with a new influenza pandemic. The risk goes as follows: if a person is simultaneously infected with both the "normal" human influenza and Bird Flu- the genetic material (DNA) of the two could mix leading to a new, potentially deadly strain. The question remains; if a pandemic begins- will it be mild or deadly? Given the virulence of current human Bird Flu cases in SE Asia, we have every reason to believe the next pandemic may be a killer.

I got a flu shot this year, would that protect me from the Bird Flu?

Routine influenza vaccination will not protect you from the current Bird Flu, nor likely would it lead to immunity against any possible future mutant Bird Flu strains. The seasonal flu vaccination offered each year is designed to protect you against Human Influenza only. Worse yet, if a pandemic of Bird Flu were to strike, it would take months to develop a new vaccine. There are some prototype “generic” H5N1 Avian Influenza vaccines being developed in Asia- but (if effective) would only lead to partial immunity against the Bird Flu. Furthermore, even if an effective vaccine was discovered, it is unlikely that millions of doses could be made in time to make any difference. Current human flu vaccination factories are “running full throttle” just to keep up with seasonal demand. An outbreak of a deadly Bird Flu strain would require vaccination of hundreds of millions in the USA alone. In addition, there is no financial incentive for pharmaceutical companies to pursue a pandemic vaccine that may or may not be needed. One might consider it the obligation of the US Government to step in and fund vaccination research and manufacture. But, given the government’s recent tract record of dealing with disasters- namely Hurricane Katrina- there is concern that the government may not be taking the threat of an impending Bird Flu pandemic seriously.

Is there any treatment for the Bird Flu?

Bird Flu is caused by a virus and will not respond to conventional antibiotics. However, there are currently two classes of antiviral antibiotics that have activity against human influenza virus; one is a group called amantidines (to which Bird Flu is though to quickly become resistant) and the other (the neuraminidase inhibitors class) has the drug oseltamivir – the generic name for Tamiflu. While there are rumors of unpublished data demonstrating Bird Flu resistance to Tamiflu, health authorities state that Tamiflu is likely the best agent available against a mutant strain of Bird Flu. The problem is this: in the event of a severe pandemic, there isn’t enough Tamiflu to go around. In addition, no one really knows how long to give it and even how well it would work. Imagine the nightmare scenario of a mutant Bird Flu hitting your community, your neighborhood, your household. How fast would the local pharmacy run out of Tamiflu? Where would you go for treatment? How over-run would the local emergency room be? Would your doctor be among the first wave of people to catch Bird Flu? How quickly would local, state and federal authorities be overwhelmed? Once again, I think of the timid response to the flooding of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and my confidence dwindles. Scientists predict that the next pandemic may easily infect half the population. Of those millions of people infected with Bird Flu, there are predictions 10% or more may die--- that’s millions of people! In the 1918 influenza pandemic (recently discovered to be a variation of the current Bird Flu H5N1strain) coffins lined the streets and people (a prediction for those in there 20’s and 30’s) died from massive lung secretions; essentially drowning from within.

For further information, I've provided a few useful links. Comments? Just email Dr Bird.

Links:
Centers for Disease Control Avian Flu page
World Health Organization Avian Flu page