| Although the earliest occurrences of avian influenza | | | | birds. Culling of birds in an infected region is seen as |
| date back to 1997, when an outbreak in Hong Kong | | | | the most effective way of preventing the spread. |
| was swiftly dealt with and managed to be contained | | | | Based on estimates that say that hundreds of millions |
| after causing 6 human deaths, it is the disease's most | | | | of people could succumb to the avian flu disease in |
| recent history, from late 2003 onwards, that is seen | | | | the case of a world wide flu epidemic, governments |
| as a very worrying sign for the situation's future | | | | are racing to prepare for such an event. Plans are put |
| development. After only random cases between | | | | together, surveillance programs are trying to detect |
| 1997 and 2003, Hong Kong and China reported | | | | the earliest signs of a possible bird flu infection in |
| various cases that signalled the start of a rapid | | | | either wild or domestic birds and flu drugs are being |
| spread of the virus across Asia. A couple of years | | | | stockpiled as the only way to treat patients. |
| later and the question is still being asked: is avian | | | | Although an effective and proven vaccine for the |
| influenza a real threat to world health or will this | | | | illness is yet to be found, several publicly funded or |
| become just another 'has been' news story? The | | | | independent companies are doing research into the |
| SARS disease was another killer thought to have the | | | | virus and how it can be stopped. Periodically, autumn |
| potential to evolve and cause major social disruption. | | | | and winter is seen as a perfect season for the |
| However, it was eventually contained and other | | | | disease to evolve into a world killer. Migratory birds |
| headlines have taken its place. | | | | are the most common source for the virus and |
| If we are to believe international experts such as the | | | | starting September, their migration is thought to have |
| World Health Organization officials, we are not far | | | | the potential of taking the viral agent to new |
| away from a flu pandemic. But this warning exists for | | | | territories. |
| a while now and apart from millions of birds being | | | | If we are to look on the other side, there are plenty |
| killed in Asia and some regular human victims every | | | | of opponents to the bird flu fears. Not just people |
| once in a while, the great 'plague' is yet to come. The | | | | who look to the issue with disbelief, but strong |
| issue is still an avian one, as birds are the virus' natural | | | | supporters of a conspiracy theory. People such as Dr. |
| host. However the fear is that a possible mutation of | | | | Stephan Lanka, a German biologist who is disputing |
| such a virus strain could cause it to easily spread | | | | basic generally agreed facts such as the existence of |
| between humans. There are suspicions that this has | | | | viruses itself. It is in the end a matter of personal |
| already taken place in the case of an Indonesian | | | | opinion how one takes to the matter. But with |
| family that was decimated by the virus. Therefore, | | | | strong warnings that this is not something to joke |
| international authorities show concerns over the | | | | around with, on one hand, and constant reassurances |
| inability of some countries to contain the outbreaks | | | | that the virus has some way to go before reaching |
| of the disease among their poultry population. This is | | | | its deadly arm into the Western hemisphere, it seems |
| the case with Asian countries, a continent where the | | | | one could turn their attention to more stringent |
| illness has caused the death of tens of millions of | | | | matters. |