Blog # 1: Evolution of the Avian Flu, Lindsey Swan, 2/6/2014, 5:11pm

Summary:

Just this week, February 4, 2014, flu experts have confirmed that the Avian flu has reached a record of 300 cases in China. The first human case of this strain of the flu was last March, however the war on the influenza has been going on since 2003 when the lethal strain of the flu jumped from birds to people. This once rare and mild disease is getting worse and experts say that one strain is passing right by the next.“H7N9 is blowing right by H5N1,” said Michael T. Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. “I’m really worried about that.” An even newer strain has killed two Chinese women one at the age of 78 and the other at the age of 55, and both had contact with live poultry. The strain that killed them is known as H10N8, and has been confirmed in only these two women so far. The two most lethal strains of the flu, which is H10N8 and H7N9, are very difficult to detect because it doesn't make chickens sick and the way these spread in people is still unknown.

Analysis:

This issue of the flu has escalated in China but the disease could be spread to the entire planet. It began as a mild disease and that has now been discovered to be lethal. The situation has evolved to the point of world endangerment. Since the more lethal strains seem to be harder to identify and can be easily spread from person to person it poses a very real threat to our world. There are professionals who are keeping track of the flu outbreak, and the research of the disease is ongoing!

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/05/health/cases-of-new-deadly-bird-flu-surge-in-china-experts-say.html?_r=0