Epidemic - Pandemic: Tracking The Avian Influenza N5H1 (Bird Flu)

Avian Influenza N5H1 (Bird Flu) is capturing global attention. The amount of available information concerning the virus is daunting. I listened to some recent media reports that seemed to be more interested in spreading fear and panic than useful information people can use. The threat of illness and death is of course real - but avoiding, or at least minimizing, the effects fear and panic in the face an epidemic is a basic survival technique. This entry will track my own exploartions of Avian Influenza N5H1...

January 29, 2006 - Global Health Facts

Avian Flu: Confirmed Human Deaths: Currently = 83
Avian Flu: Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases: Currently = 152

December 27, 2005 - Preparing for a Pandemic

Via Scientific American:

The most fundamental thing to understand about serious pandemic influenza is that, except at a molecular level, the disease bears little resemblance to the flu that we all get at some time. An influenza pandemic, by definition, occurs only when the influenza virus mutates into something dangerously unfamiliar to our immune systems and yet is able to jump from person to person through a sneeze, cough or touch.

December 24, 2005 - Beware when buying Tamiflu online: Health Canada

Via CBC News: "As with any medication purchased online, consumers should only buy Tamiflu with a prescription from a doctor they know, using a pharmacy where they have an established relationship," Health Canada advises.

December 23, 2005 - Bird flu study shows virus evolution in action

Via Reuters

"Anything that you throw at a virus, a virus can evolve to evade it," said Dr. Anne Moscona, an expert in pediatric viral diseases at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, in a telephone interview. "You can't attack a virus with just one compound" ...Moscona said the report clearly illustrates why governments but not individuals should stockpile Tamiflu.

"One thing about stockpiling -- people are going to tend to share. They'll try to make a small amount go farther because there is a shortage," she said.

That will make resistance evolve even more quickly.

December 18, 2005 - Ottawa firm tests new technique to fight avian flu virus

Via CBC News

"We are designing an adaptable vaccine, a vaccine that represents the future permutations and changes the virus will have," said Diaz-Mitoma.

By the end of January 2006, Diaz-Mitoma will confirm whether or not the vaccine is successful on chickens. Several years are required to verify results on humans.

December 6, 2005 - Google Earth map of avian flu country situations

A new Wiki called Google Earth map of avian flu country situations uses Google Earth to track the spread of Avian Influenza N5H1 (Bird Flu). Data used is confirmed by the World Health Organization as well as independent experts. This Wiki also provides other reference material and resources about Avian Influenza N5H1 (Bird Flu).

November 16, 2005 - Japan links Tamiflu to 2 teen suicides

SFGate reports Japan links Tamiflu to 2 teen suicides 64 cases of disorders connected to avian flu treatment. As I expected, the unknown effects of prescription medication begins to reveal its dark side.

Japan's Tamiflu label carries a more extensive list of side effects than that required in the United States. Adverse events reported on the Japanese label include "impaired consciousness, abnormal behaviors, hallucination and other psychological and neurological symptoms,'' Hurley said.

Tamiflu's U.S. label lists a range of side effects, but the most common are nausea and vomiting. Of the others noted in the clinical trial of the drug, only vertigo, insomnia and bronchitis occurred at a higher rate than those taking a placebo for comparison.

November 9, 2005 - ResourceShelf

ResourceShelf publishes a list of reliable resources on the avian flu.

November 6, 2005 - Avian Flu's "Genuine Dilemma"

The Toronto Star reports that those with healthy immune systems are at the greatest risk of dying from Avian Flu in Avian Flu's "Genuine Dilemma.

November 5, 2005 - First picture of Avian Flu Virus H5N1

- Source: Dagens Nyhneter

avian flu virus.jpg

November 2, 2005: The Onion Publishes Macabre Avian Flu Humour

Behind every joke there is a grievance. - Marshall McLuhan

From The Onion:

Onion Bird Flu.jpg

October 31, 2005 - Canadian Birds Found With Flu Virus

: CBC News reports Canadian Birds Found With Flu Virus. Key points:

Early indications suggest it is not the deadly N5H1 form of the virus;
Twenty-eight birds in Quebec and five in Manitoba found infected;
It is normal to find H5 virus in birds.

October 27, 2005 - Canada's inadequate healthcare system

: Blog.bioethics.net reports Canadians: When Bird Flu Comes, Be Nice To Your Doctor (Or Die). The article points out that there is an additional significant risk to Canadians due to Canada's inadequate healthcare system.

October 22, 2005 - Reliable Resources: What Are Some Important Information Resources?

Listed below are some primary information resources describing the Avian Influenza N5H1 (Bird Flu). Many of these resources are dynamic and need to be checked on a regular basis. In addition, some useful RSS feeds are provided.

Surveillance: World Health Organization

World Health Organization: Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) - Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response (CSR)
World Health Organization: Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) - Alert & Response Operations
World Health Organization: Disease Outbreak News
World Health Organization: Disease Outbreak News RSS Feed
World Health Organization: Latest Avian Influenza News
World Health Organization: Latest News RSS Feed
World Health Organization: Avian Influenza Updates
World Health Organization: Avian Flu - Frequently Asked Questions

Surveillance: European Commission

European Commission: Threats to Public Health - Links Between Human and Animal Influenza
Eurpean Commission: Map - Current Situation of Avian Influenza and human cases related to the H5 virus subtype
European Commission: Map - Documented Avian Influenza Infections in Humans
Map - European Commission: Outbreaks of avian influenza (A/H5N1) in animals and man reported from Asia since December 2003

Protection and Prevention: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy(CIDRAP): Avian Flu - Latest News

Google News Sources

Google News Search: Avian Influenza
Google News: Email Alerts - Avian Influenza
Google News: RSS Feeds - Avian Influenza

General Information

Canada's Public Health Agency
Canada Food Inspection Agency: Avian Flu
Mayo Clinic: Avian Influenza: A New Pandemic Threat?
Wikipedia
- Avian Flu
- Antigenic Shift
- Influenza Pandemic
- N5H1

Social Bookmarks

Furl: Avian Influenza