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( Avian influenza)
Avian influenza, sometimes Avian flu, and commonly Bird flu refers to "influenza caused by viruses adapted to birds."[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] "Bird flu" is a phrase similar to "Swine flu", "Dog flu", "Horse flu", or "Human flu" in that it refers to an illness caused by any of many different strains of influenza viruses that have adapted to a specific host. All known viruses that cause influenza in birds belong to the species Influenza A virus. All subtypes (but not all strains of all subtypes) of Influenza A virus are adapted to birds, which is why for many purposes avian flu virus is the Influenza A virus (note that the "A" does not stand for "avian"). Adaptation is non-exclusive. Being adapted towards a particular species does not preclude adaptations, or partial adaptations, towards infecting different species. In this way strains of influenza viruses are adapted to multiple species, though may be preferential towards a particular host. For example, viruses responsible for influenza pandemics are adapted to both humans and birds. Recent influenza research into the genes of the Spanish Flu virus shows it to have genes adapted to both birds and humans; with more of its genes from birds than less deadly later pandemic strains. Genetic factors in distinguishing between "human flu viruses" and "avian flu viruses" include
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Avian influenza Subcategories
Avian influenza Articles
Tips for Picking an Optimally Efficient Air Cleaner by Jack Lee
There are so many types of air filters out there that choosing the right one can be a challenge, to say the least. One of the difficulties is decoding the language of air cleaners--acronyms such as MERV and HEPA can leave the average consumer bewilde...
Bird Flu: Tamiflu and Relenza for Prevention and Treatment by bradford frank
According to a recent report on influenza in the Journal of Virology, “Although vaccination is the ideal way to reduce the interspecies spread of influenza viruses, the preparation of a new vaccine takes six months or more. In the interim, antiviral...
10 Lifesaving Tips for Surviving a Killer Flu Pandemic by Julie Butler
A new killer flu virus is on its way. Ducks and geese carrying this virus are now winging their way across the globe, spreading the disease wherever they go. Started in Asia, it has now spread to Europe. Soon it will be in North and South America. ...
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