Avian influenza

Avian Influenza A viruses present a unique challenge to public health as a result of their rapid evolution. Since the beginning of the 20th century, there have been five IAV pandemics, including the 1918 pandemic, which is estimated to have been responsible for 50-100 million deaths worldwide (Taubenberger & Morens, 2006). Each major influenza pandemic has been associated with the appearance of a new subtype circulating in humans. Additionally, particularly virulent pandemic strains and in particular the 1918 strain tend to attenuate during the course of the pandemic, likely a result of adaptation to humans (Taubenberger & Morens, 2006). However, the precise mechanism for this is poorly defined (Qi et al., 2012). A number of specific mutations…

The first case of avian influenza since last spring was detected in Dane County yesterday according to the assistant Wisconsin State Veterinarian, which could effect the US economy. Darlene Konkle, the assistant Wisconsin State Veterinarian confirmed that highly contagious avian influenza, otherwise known as bird flu, was found in a 20,000-bird flock. Bird flu primarily affects chickens and turkeys. Bird flu is a respiratory illness that can be identified by discharge from the nasal or eyes,…

Avian Influenza Avian Influenza (AI) commonly known as "bird flu" is an infectious viral disease of birds, especially wild waterfowl. Wild birds can be asymptomatic carriers spreading the virus, while domestic birds usually sicken and die in just a few days after contracting the virus. AI has been identified in over 100 different species of wild birds worldwide, with the majority of these being waterfowl (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). OVERVIEW I was unable to find a clear date for…

Avian Influenza and Its Effect on the Economy The ultimate goal of agriculture in the past, and as of now, was to suffice the people’s demand for food. As the population increased, farmers had to figure out how to meet this new demand, and decrease costs of production while maintaining the same level of productivity. This was no easy task, but over time, farmers, with their improved agricultural methods, brought about enormous yield gains. Horse drawn plows, mowers, railroads, cultivators,…

Arctic permafrost, researchers at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were able to recreate an extinct virus. Then, in October of 2005, they announced that they had isolated, decoded and replicated the entire sequence of the 1918 virus now identified as H1N1. (PM) Influenza viruses typically infect the epithelial cells that line the respiratory tract and reproduce. Characteristically, the structure is a sphere…

These issues are clean water access and global hygiene measures, obesity, malaria, avian influenza, and the pollution of air. My target populations are all over the place, considering the vast differences between each issue. I hope to target each place around the world that does not have clean water access and build wells until everyone has enough to drink globally and no one has to go thirsty. In order to increase disease prevention in developing countries, we must place a high value on…

The Influenza Outbreak of 1918 The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 was the deadliest pandemic in recent history. It was caused by the H1N1 virus which originated from avian genes. While there is no universal consensus on where the virus originated, it spread globally from 1918 to 1919. The Spanish flu is considered the worst pandemic in the history of mankind. In less than a year there were 40 million people who died from this virus, which spread at an intense pace, while it seemed that nothing and…

in many parts of the world. It is likely that the 2009 H1N1 virus will continue to spread for years to come, like a regular seasonal influenza virus." (CDC, 2010). Transmission According to the CDC (2010), influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness that is nubile when it comes to transmission and spread. "…each year in the United States, approximately 5-20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu-related complications; and about 36,000…

THE DISEASE: The influenza virus is often referred to as the flu. It is an acute respiratory disease, which if left untreated, can worsen and lead into influenza pneumonia, a much more serious disease that often leads to hospitalization or death. Other complications from the flu are bronchitis, sinus and ear infections ("Flu Symptoms & Severity", 2015). There are types of the influenza virus: influenza A and influenza B, and there are many strains within each type. While the respiratory system…

Many people think of Influenza, also known as the flu, as a common cold or a stomach bug that will pass over in the matter of a day. Yet true influenza is a specific category of viruses that can be very dangerous and many people tend to underestimate it. When it comes to the flu there are many aspects surrounding it. This includes historical outbreaks of the virus, the causes of worldwide pandemics, and ways the virus may be prevented. There are three main types of this virus. “All three types…