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BIRD FLU – THE PANDEMIC CLOCK IS TICKING
25 July 2005

With the number of deaths in Asia from bird flu rising, scientists say it is only a matter of time before the next flu pandemic strikes. The Australian Academy of Science's new Nova: Science in the news topic called 'Bird flu - the pandemic clock is ticking' has the latest information at www.science.org.au/nova.

We tend to think of colds and flu as the same thing. Although the symptoms are similar, a head cold and the flu are caused by different viruses. For some, the flu can be a very dangerous disease.

New flu types come along every year as minor variants of existing viruses. Occasionally a radically different virus emerges which has the potential to cause a pandemic. Since December 2003, a type of flu known as H5N1 has caused the flu in poultry and wild birds in a number of Asian countries. People can get H5N1 bird flu by close contact with infected birds or water.

Authorities are worried about H5N1 because it has many of the characteristics of a virus that can cause a pandemic. So far, H5N1 has not shown signs of being very easily transferred from one person to the next via casual contact.

The concern is that you might get a virus like H5N1, that is already lethal, becoming extremely contagious, which would make it easier for it to spread from person to person.

Most health officials believe that a pandemic is due to occur some time soon, and that it is a case of when, not if. In which case, it would be wise to be ready for it.

More information is available on the Australian Academy of Science's Nova: Science in the news website at www.science.org.au/nova. The topic also includes a glossary; student activities; further reading; and annotated links to relevant websites.

The principal sponsor of Nova: Science in the news is the Commonwealth Bank Foundation. The Australian Foundation for Science is also a supporter of Nova.