Are swine flu or bird flu viruses dangerous
Most viruses that cause swine flu or bird flu are very hard to pass from one human to another: they don’t cause epidemics. Sometimes, however, further changes in genes create a virus that can spread rapidly among humans, and can produce a more severe illness. One reason this illness is more severe is that the virus is so new. The regular flu that Read more
What are “swine flu” and “bird flu”?
An epidemic of swine flu has recently developed in Mexico and the United States, says the CDC. Swine flu has killed many people, and the outbreak has features that suggest it could become a global pandemic. A pandemic is an epidemic that spreads around the whole world. Pandemics also often cause more severe disease than epidemics.
If a pandemic happens, it could be very serious for human health and the global economy (which definitely does not need any more bad news right now).
Q: What are “swine flu” and “bird flu”?
A: Flu is a disease caused by the influenza virus. Humans, pigs, birds, and other animals all can be infected by influenza viruses. Typically, influenza viruses can infect only Read more
2009 flu pandemic
The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of a influenza A virus subtype H1N1, officially named the “new H1N1″, first identified in April 2009, and commonly called “Swine flu.” It is thought to be a reassortment of four known strains of influenza A virus[92]: one endemic in (normally infecting) humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs (swine). Transmission of the new strain is human-to-human, with cooked pork products safe to eat as the virus cannot be transmitted by eating foods.
The outbreak began in Mexico, with evidence that Mexico was already in the midst of an epidemic for months before the outbreak was recognized. Soon after, its government closed down most of Mexico City’s public and private offices and facilities to help contain the spread. In early June, as the virus spread globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak to be a pandemic, but also noted that most illnesses were of “moderate severity.” The virus has since spread to the Southern Hemisphere which entered its winter flu season, and to many less developed countries with limited healthcare systems. Because the virus was spreading with “unprecedented speed”, and many clinics were overwhelmed testing and treating patients, WHO stopped requiring countries to report all cases, but is still monitoring unusually large outbreaks. Read more
Scientists ID First Human With Gorilla Strain of HIV
For the first time, researchers have found evidence that the AIDS virus traveled from gorilla to human, another confirmation that the disease continues to evolve even as scientists race to vanquish it.
French scientists reported Sunday that a woman in the West African country of Cameroon carried a strain of the AIDS virus that is closely related to a similar virus found in gorillas.
It’s not yet clear whether this strain of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is common among humans or whether it’s especially dangerous.
“Findings like these remind us that primates continue to transmit viruses to humans just as they did before we knew about AIDS,” said Rowena Johnston, vice president of research with the Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR) in New York City. “HIV continues to broadside us from directions we do not necessarily expect.” Read more
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Anti-Aging breakthrough