Bird Flu

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1, also known as "bird flu",is a subtype of the Influenza A virus which can cause illness in humans and many other animal species. One strain of HPAI A(H5N1) is spreading globally after first appearing in Asia. According to the FAO Avian Influenza Disease Emergency Situation Update, H5N1 pathogenicity is continuing to gradually rise in endemic areas but the avian influenza disease situation in farmed birds is being held in check by vaccination. On December 21, 2009 the WHO announced a total of 447 human cases which resulted in the deaths of 263. A short term effect is that the economy suffered from costs of illness and death resulting from the virus and the costs associated with public and private efforts to prevent the spread of the virus and its treatment. However, the effects were not as serious as SARS. Economists say the impact of the bird flu virus is more likely to be confined to the poultry industry, which accounts for only a fraction of economic production in the region, with little sign so far of a widespread outbreak affecting other economic sectors such as tourism. A long-term effect is that the virus can go through the placenta of a pregnant woman and infect the fetus. There is evidence that the virus not only affects the lungs, but also throughout the body into the gastrointestinal tract, the brain, liver, and blood cells. This virus weakens the society.