The Avian Influenza Virus ({Bird|Chook|Fowl|Hen|Chicken} Flu) A Pandemic {in the|within the} Making

Is the world {today|right now|at present|at this time|as we speak|at the moment|in the present day|immediately|right this moment} {looking at|taking a look at} {another|one other} pandemic {due to the|because of the|as a result of} avian influenza virus? The {increasing|growing|rising} {cases|instances|circumstances} of the avian influenza virus, {the global|the worldwide} spreading of the {disease|illness} and {the fact that|the truth that} many scientists {believe|consider|imagine} that {it is not|it isn’t|it’s not} a matter of if {but|however} {when we|once we|after we} will {experience|expertise} it, is making this {a global|a worldwide|a world} question. {What is|What’s} making some {believe|consider|imagine} {this is|that is} {highly|extremely} {probable|possible}?

To {answer|reply} that {question|query} we first {need|want} {to examine|to look at} what the avian influenza is, and {some of|a few of} its history.

Avian Influenza, {also known as|also called|also referred to as|often known as} {bird|chook|fowl|hen|chicken} flu is an {illness|sickness} {that is|that’s} {caused by|brought on by|attributable to} avian influenza viruses. These viruses {occur|happen} naturally amongst wild birds and are carried {in their|of their} intestines. These viruses are very contagious and {normally|usually} {will not|won’t|is not going to} make wild birds sick {however|nevertheless|nonetheless}; {they can be|they are often} {extremely|extraordinarily} {dangerous|harmful} to {domestic|home} birds {such as|similar to|corresponding to|comparable to|akin to|reminiscent of|resembling|equivalent to} Turkeys, Chickens, and {Ducks|Geese} making them {extremely|extraordinarily} sick {and can|and may|and might} {lead to|result in} death.

The Avian Flu was first recorded in Italy {more than|greater than} {100|one hundred|a hundred} years {ago|in the past} in 1878. As {the cause of|the reason for} {a large amount of|a considerable amount of} deaths in Poultry it {became|turned|grew to become} {known as|generally known as|often known as|referred to as|often called} “Fowl Plague”. This {disease|illness} was recorded {in the|within the} United States in 1924-25, {and then|after which} {again|once more} in 1929. In 1955, it was {determined|decided} that the virus {causing|inflicting} Fowl Plague was {one of the|one of many} influenza viruses. The official designation for the {bird|chook|fowl|hen|chicken} flu is Influenza-A H5N1. This {strain|pressure} was {originally|initially} first {isolated|remoted} in birds from South Africa in 1961.

{Originally|Initially} thought {only|solely} {to infect|to contaminate} birds this flu {received|acquired|obtained} unprecedented publicity in 1997 when for {the first|the primary} time the virus was transmitted to humans. {During|Throughout} {this period|this era} 18 {people|individuals|folks} {were|have been|had been} hospitalized and 6 died. Authorities in an {attempt|try} {to control|to regulate|to manage} the outbreak killed {approximately|roughly} 1.5 million chickens. This was in an {attempt to|try and|try to|try to} {remove|take away} the {source|supply} of the virus.
Since 1997 there have been confirmed {cases|instances|circumstances} of {humans|people} {infected|contaminated} with the virus. {Two} {children|youngsters|kids} from Hong Kong {were|have been|had been} {infected|contaminated} that {year|yr|12 months} {but|however} {both|each} {children|youngsters|kids} recovered.
In 2003 {two} members of a Hong Kong {family|household} {were|have been|had been} {infected|contaminated} after {traveling|touring} to China. One {person|individual|particular person} died. The {cause|trigger} was {never|by no means} {determined|decided} on {where|the place} or how {those|these} {two} {people|individuals|folks} {were|have been|had been} infected. Later {back|again} in China {another|one other} {family member|member of the family} died of a respiratory {illness|sickness} {but|however} no testing was {done|carried out|accomplished|completed|executed|finished|achieved|performed} at that time.
{Also|Additionally} in 2003 the Netherlands reported {more than|greater than} {80|eighty} {cases|instances|circumstances} of avian influenza-A {among|amongst} poultry {workers|staff|employees} and their families. One {patient|affected person} died. {At that time|At the moment} there {seemed to be|appeared to be|gave the impression to be} some {evidence|proof} of human to human transmissions. These outbreaks tapered off {in the|within the} spring of 2004 {but|however} then re-emerged {in the|within the} summer.
As of Sept 19, 2005 there have been 114 confirmed human {cases|instances|circumstances} of {bird|chook|fowl|hen|chicken} flu with {59|fifty nine} of them being fatal. Human {cases|instances|circumstances} of the {disease|illness} have been reported in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia. Sustained {person to person|individual to individual} transmission has not occurred {but|however} {there is|there’s|there may be} {another|one other} report of suspected human to human transmission from Thailand in fall of 2004. The virus {recently|lately|just lately|not too long ago} has {shown|proven} {the ability|the power|the flexibility} {to jump|to leap} from species to species with cats, pigs, tigers and leopards {becoming|turning into|changing into} infected. Areas affected by H5N1 avian influenza in poultry {include|embrace|embody}: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

So now what does this all {have to|need to|should|must} do with a {possible|potential|attainable|doable} influenza pandemic?
First an influenza pandemic {occurs|happens} when {a new|a brand new} virus {appears|seems} that the human {population|inhabitants} has no immunity from. This {results in|leads to|ends in} {a large|a big} scale outbreak worldwide with {an enormous|an unlimited|an infinite} {amount|quantity} of deaths and illness. {Because of|Due to} {global|international|world} transportation, over crowding and urbanization these epidemics would take {hold|maintain} {very quickly|in a short time} on {a global|a worldwide|a world} scale.
{This is why|That is why|For this reason|This is the reason|Because of this} the {recent|current|latest} findings {in regards to the|regarding the} {bird|chook|fowl|hen|chicken} flu virus are {particularly|notably|significantly} concerning. The reassortment ({this is|that is} the {changing|altering} of genetic {material|materials} between {two} {types of|kinds of|forms of|varieties of|sorts of} virus making {a third|a 3rd}) of avian influenza genomes {is very|could be very|may be very} {likely to|more likely to|prone to} {occur|happen} since these viruses have demonstrated a {capacity|capability} {to infect|to contaminate} {multiple|a number of} species, as is now the case in Asia. This then {leads to|results in} the {greater|higher|larger|better} {chance|probability|likelihood} of human {exposure|publicity} and infection. This new virus has new genetics {which would|which might} then be {immune to|resistant to|proof against|proof against} {current|present} vaccines. As {shown|proven} the world has {faced|confronted} pandemic {possibilities|prospects|potentialities} for {several|a number of} years {in regards to the|regarding the} avian influenza virus and with the {recent|current|latest} developments it does {only|solely} {seem|appear} a matter of time {before|earlier than} {we are|we’re} {faced|confronted} with a flu pandemic of gigantic proportions. {No one|Nobody} {knows|is aware of} for {sure|positive|certain} if or when a pandemic would {occur|happen}, it {could be|might be|could possibly be|may very well be} {within|inside} weeks or years, {but|however} {all the|all of the} {conditions|circumstances|situations} are in place, save one – sustained proof of a virus {that is|that’s} being transmitted from human to human.

{Take a look|Have a look} to {history|historical past} on {past|previous} influenza pandemic’s. {This may|This will|This will likely|This may increasingly|This may occasionally} give {a better|a greater} understanding {when we|once we|after we} use the {word|phrase} gigantic proportions. These {previous|earlier} pandemics have led to {high|excessive} {levels|ranges} of {illness|sickness}, {death|demise|dying|loss of life}, social disruption, and {economic|financial} loss. The potential devastation of the avian flu virus {is greater|is bigger|is larger} than these former pandemics.

There have been {3|three} such influenza pandemics {in the|within the} {20th|twentieth} century.
In 1918-1919 when {more than|greater than} 500,000 died {in the|within the} United States alone, {along with|together with} {approximately|roughly} 50 million {people|individuals|folks} worldwide. In 1957-1958 the Asian flu {caused|triggered|brought on|prompted|brought about|induced|precipitated} 70,000 deaths first reported in China late in February 1957 and it {spread|unfold} to {the U.S.|the united states|the us}by June of 1957. The Hong Kong flu in 1968 and 1969 {caused|triggered|brought on|prompted|brought about|induced|precipitated} some 34,000 deaths {in the|within the} United States alone.

So what would {happen|occur} if we {faced|confronted} a pandemic {today|right now|at present|at this time|as we speak|at the moment|in the present day|immediately|right this moment}, from the avian flu virus? Most agree we {could|might|may} stand a {very little|little or no} {chance|probability|likelihood} of containment for {several|a number of} reasons. First the world {will have|may have|could have|can have} {just|simply} weeks {to accomplish|to perform} that feat. Scientists estimate that 300,000 {to one|to at least one|to 1} million {people|individuals|folks} would {immediately|instantly} be in {need|want} of the anti-viral. {At this time|Presently|Right now|At the moment} there are {limited|restricted} stocks. {Because of|Due to} {production|manufacturing} limitations {the current|the present} {time frame|time-frame|timeframe} is {four|4} {to six|to 6} months {to produce|to supply|to provide} a {certain|sure} {quantity|amount} of vaccine. This {may not be|is probably not|will not be|might not be} {fast|quick} enough. {The fact|The very fact|The actual fact} is that for containment the world {would need|would wish|would want} {to carry|to hold} out {a massive|an enormous|a large} inoculation {campaign|marketing campaign} {within|inside} a {two} {to three|to 3|to a few} week {time frame|time-frame|timeframe} for any {type|sort|kind} of {chance|probability|likelihood} to {contain|include|comprise} the virus.
{There is|There’s|There may be} {also|additionally} {the chance|the prospect|the possibility} that {current|present} vaccines for the avian flu would have little or no {effect|impact} on a pandemic virus. {This is because|It’s because|It is because} the vaccine {needs to|must} match the pandemic virus which {may not be|is probably not|will not be|might not be} the case. The world then {would need|would wish|would want} {a new|a brand new} vaccine. So a vaccine developed in Thailand {may|might|could} not {protect|shield|defend} you from {another|one other} virus in {another|one other} {part of|a part of} the world. {This would|This is able to|This may|This might|This could} take {several|a number of} months to develop and by {that time|that point} {millions|hundreds of thousands|tens of millions|thousands and thousands} {may|might|could} die.
Then {there is|there’s|there may be} the distribution issue. {There is no|There isn’t a|There isn’t any|There is no such thing as a} {guarantee|assure} of distribution priorities. {This could|This might} {mean|imply} that poorer nations {may|might|could} not get the vaccine {at all|in any respect}, {because|as a result of|as a result of} richer {countries|nations|international locations} would get the majority.

So {what is|what’s} our {government|authorities} and others doing to {effectively|successfully} {deal with|cope with|take care of} this {possible|potential|attainable|doable} nightmare? What {can you|are you able to} do as {an individual|a person}?

On February {4|four}, 2004 there was an order for {an immediate|an instantaneous|a direct|a right away} ban on the import of all birds ) from {the following|the next} areas in Southeast Asia: Cambodia; Indonesia; Japan; Laos; {People|Individuals|Folks}’s Republic of China, {including|together with} Hong Kong, SAR; South Korea; Thailand; and Vietnam. Hong Kong was {removed from|faraway from} the ban {list|listing|record|checklist} {because of|due to} imposed vaccination, inspection, and surveillance {programs|packages|applications} for poultry farms, {live|stay|reside|dwell} poultry markets, and pet {bird|chook|fowl|hen|chicken} {dealers|sellers}; {Also|Additionally} since there have been no {additional|further|extra} {cases|instances|circumstances} of Influenza A (H5N1) in birds in Hong Kong {since the|because the|for the reason that} {positive|constructive|optimistic} peregrine falcon which was {the reason|the rationale|the explanation} {for their|for his or her} inclusion on the list.

The World {Health|Well being} {Organization|Group} has helped lead efforts to develop a {national|nationwide} plan to {cover|cowl} {aspects|elements|features|points|facets} of responding to a pandemic require enhanced surveillance and early detection. {Improving|Enhancing|Bettering} our public {health|well being} infrastructure {to be able to|to have the ability to} administer {programs|packages|applications} {effectively|successfully} {is also|can also be|can be} a priority.
There has {also|additionally} been contract for egg surge {capacity|capability} {worth|value|price} about $10 million awarded. This was {done|carried out|accomplished|completed|executed|finished|achieved|performed} {to assist|to help} with the making of vaccines. Since vaccines can {provide|present} a {safe|protected|secure}, {effective|efficient} and {efficient|environment friendly} means {to prevent|to stop|to forestall} {illness|sickness}, {disability|incapacity} and {death|demise|dying|loss of life} from infectious {diseases|illnesses|ailments}, {research|analysis} is a {high|excessive} {priority|precedence} with {health|well being} organizations. The {National|Nationwide} Institutes of {Health|Well being} is {another|one other} {organization|group} {that is|that’s} {assisting|aiding|helping} with the testing {of new|of latest|of recent} vaccines.
{The only|The one} downfall {is they|is that they} do take time to develop and as in any new {strain|pressure} of the virus there {would not|wouldn’t} be {enough|sufficient} {at the|on the} time of the outbreak. This {fact|reality|truth} is making the reporting and early detection a priority.
The World {Health|Well being} Organizations {Center|Middle|Heart} For {Disease|Illness} {Control|Management}, {Association|Affiliation} of Public {Health|Well being} Laboratories, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, Vietnamese Ministry of {Health|Well being} {just|simply} {to name|to call} {a few|a couple of|a number of|just a few} are proactively monitoring world influenza reports. {There is a|There’s a} {network|community} of 112 {National|Nationwide} Influenza {Centers|Facilities} {that are|which are|which might be|which can be} monitoring {activity|exercise} and isolating influenza viruses in all continents. They then report {immediately|instantly} the {finding|discovering} of any new or {unusual|uncommon} influenza viruses found. {They have|They’ve} {also|additionally} {implemented|carried out|applied} new notification {methods|strategies} for public {health|well being} emergencies {that would|that might|that may|that will} be of {international|worldwide} concern.

In America {at this time|presently|right now|at the moment} {the risk|the danger|the chance} {is very|could be very|may be very} low for a pandemic from the avian flu virus. {This does not|This doesn’t} {mean|imply} {the government|the federal government} is doing nothing. The French drug maker Sanofi-Aventis {won|gained|received} a ${100|one hundred|a hundred} million contract {to supply|to provide|to produce} the United States a vaccine {against|towards|in opposition to} H5N1.
The United States has {also|additionally} awarded a $2.{8|eight} million contract to Britain’s GlaxoSmithKline for {84|eighty four},300 {courses|programs} of an antiviral. {Although|Though} not a vaccine, this antiviral Tamiflu®, has {shown|proven} {the ability|the power|the flexibility} {to protect|to guard} {against|towards|in opposition to} human infection. The purchases are {part of|a part of} a US plan {to buy|to purchase} vaccine for 20 million {people|individuals|folks} and anti-viral {for another|for an additional|for one more} 20 million. {In the past|Prior to now|Up to now|Previously} {four|4} years the {Department|Division} of {Health|Well being} and Human {Services|Providers|Companies} has invested {a large|a big} {amount|quantity} in {protecting|defending} {against|towards|in opposition to} the flu {including|together with} {increases|will increase} for CDC influenza funding ($17.2 million to $41.6 million, 242%) and creation of Strategic Reserves/Stockpiles (${0|zero} to ${80|eighty} million).
It {also|additionally} {looks|appears|seems|seems to be|appears to be like} like {an effective|an efficient} vaccine {may|might|could} {finally|lastly} have emerged to counter the avian flu virus. {Just recently|Only recently|Only in the near past} in {tests|checks|exams|assessments}, preliminary {results|outcomes} obtained from {115|one hundred fifteen|a hundred and fifteen} of the vaccine recipients {showed|confirmed} {a strong|a robust|a powerful} {enough|sufficient} immune response to {ward off|keep off|beat back|chase away|push back|thrust back|keep at bay} the virus. These {tests|checks|exams|assessments} have been {taking place|happening|going down} for {several|a number of} months.

{Also|Additionally} {in the|within the} United Kingdom {the risk|the danger|the chance} {at this time|presently|right now|at the moment} {is very|could be very|may be very} low {but|however} {could be|might be|could possibly be|may very well be} {subject|topic} {to change|to vary|to alter} very suddenly. Precautions are being taken {since the|because the|for the reason that} virus is spreading. {The government|The federal government} has ordered {around|round} 14.6 million {courses|programs} of the drug Tamiflu – {enough|sufficient} to {treat|deal with} {around|round} {a quarter|1 / 4} of the UK’s population. {They have|They’ve} devised a distribution system {that would|that might|that may|that will} make the anti-viral {available|out there|obtainable|accessible} to {health|well being} {workers|staff|employees}, {people who|individuals who} {would be|can be|could be} {essential|important} to the {continuing|persevering with} of {the government|the federal government}, {and people|and other people|and folks} at {high|excessive} {risk|danger|threat} first. The UK {Health|Well being} {Protection|Safety} {Agency|Company} estimates that {in the|within the} {event|occasion} of a flu pandemic there {could be|might be|could possibly be|may very well be} a {possible|potential|attainable|doable} 50,000 deaths in Wales and England alone. {Because of|Due to} its planning The World {Health|Well being} {Organization|Group} has {said|stated|mentioned} that the UK is {at the|on the} forefront of preparations internationally for a pandemic influenza outbreak.

Now you’re asking what can I do {to help|to assist} myself in case of an influenza outbreak?

{Still|Nonetheless} {the most effective|the simplest|the best} {way to|method to|approach to|solution to|strategy to|option to|technique to} {deal with|cope with|take care of} influenza {in general|generally|normally|usually|typically|basically|on the whole} {is still|continues to be|remains to be} by vaccination {each|every} year. {At this time|Presently|Right now|At the moment} there {are no|are not any|aren’t any} vaccines {on the market|available on the market|in the marketplace} to {combat|fight} the avian flu virus. {But|However} as seen above {it is very|it is rather|it is extremely|it is vitally} {close to|near} a answer. {Other|Different} flu vaccines {are available|can be found} and {should be|ought to be|must be|needs to be} {considered|thought-about|thought of} {to prevent|to stop|to forestall} {help|assist} {prevent|forestall|stop} an outbreak.

There are {two} {types of|kinds of|forms of|varieties of|sorts of} vaccines. {The first|The primary} is a flu shot. {This is|That is} inactivated vaccine (containing a killed virus) given {usually|often|normally} {in the|within the} arm. It has been {approved|accredited|permitted|accepted|authorised|authorized} {for use|to be used} in {persons|individuals} older than 6 months, {healthy|wholesome} {people|individuals|folks}, {and also|and in addition|and likewise} {people|individuals|folks} with a {chronic|continual|persistent| power} {health|well being} condition. The second {type|sort|kind} is a nasal spray flu vaccine. {This is a|This can be a|It is a} vaccine made with {live|stay|reside|dwell} and weakened viruses {that do not|that don’t} {cause|trigger} the flu. {It is|It’s} {approved|accredited|permitted|accepted|authorised|authorized} {for use|to be used} in {healthy|wholesome} {people|individuals|folks} over 5 years of age {up to|as much as} {49|forty nine} years.

{Anyone|Anybody} who {wants|needs|desires} {to reduce|to scale back|to cut back} their {chances of|probabilities of|possibilities of} getting influenza {can be|could be|may be|might be|will be} vaccinated. There are {people who are|people who find themselves} at {high|excessive} {risk|danger|threat} to {suffer|endure|undergo} {serious|critical|severe} {complications|problems|issues} {if they|in the event that they} {were|have been|had been} to contract influenza or {people who|individuals who} {care for|look after|take care of} such individuals. These {people|individuals|folks} {should be|ought to be|must be|needs to be} vaccinated {each|every} year. This group {includes|consists of|contains}, {persons|individuals} {65|sixty five} years of age or older. {People who|Individuals who} {live|stay|reside|dwell} in nursing {homes|houses|properties}, or {other|different} {long term|long run} care facilities. Adults {and children|and youngsters|and kids} 6 months and older {who have|who’ve} {chronic|continual|persistent| power} {heart|coronary heart} or lung {conditions|circumstances|situations}, {this is|that is} {including|together with} asthma. Adults {and children|and youngsters|and kids} 6 months and older who {needed|wanted} {regular|common} medical care or {were|have been|had been} in a hospital {during the|through the|in the course of the|throughout the} {previous|earlier} {year|yr|12 months} {because of|due to} a metabolic {disease|illness} (like diabetes), {chronic|continual|persistent| power} kidney {disease|illness}, or weakened immune system, {including|together with} immune system {problems|issues} {caused by|brought on by|attributable to} {infection|an infection} with human immunodeficiency virus. [HIV/AIDS] Any {Children|Youngsters|Kids} 6 months to 18 years of age {who are|who’re} on {long|lengthy}-{term|time period} aspirin therapy. {This is because|It’s because|It is because} {children|youngsters|kids} given aspirin {while|whereas} {they have|they’ve} influenza are {at risk of|susceptible to|vulnerable to|liable to|prone to} Reye syndrome. Any {women|ladies|girls} who {will be|shall be|might be|will probably be|can be|will likely be} pregnant {during the|through the|in the course of the|throughout the} influenza season and all {children|youngsters|kids} 6 to 23 months of age {should also|also needs to|must also} be vaccinated yearly.
{People|Individuals|Folks} with any {condition|situation} {that can|that may} compromise respiratory {function|perform|operate} {meaning|which means|that means}, a {condition|situation} that makes it {hard|exhausting|onerous|arduous|laborious} to breathe or swallow, {such as|similar to|corresponding to|comparable to|akin to|reminiscent of|resembling|equivalent to} {brain|mind} {injury|damage|harm} or {disease|illness}, spinal {cord|twine|wire} {injuries|accidents}, seizure {disorders|issues|problems}, or {other|different} nerve or muscle disorders.

{Other|Different} measures {to prepare|to organize|to arrange} and {deal with|cope with|take care of} an outbreak would include. {Avoid|Keep away from} {close|shut} contact with {people who are|people who find themselves} sick. If {possible|potential|attainable|doable}, {stay|keep} {home|house|residence|dwelling} from work or {keep|maintain|hold|preserve} your {child|baby|youngster|little one} from {school|faculty|college} when sick. {Cover|Cowl} your mouth and {nose|nostril} with tissue when coughing or sneezing. Wash your {hands|palms|arms|fingers} often. {Avoid|Keep away from} touching your eyes, {nose|nostril} or mouth.

{Keeping|Maintaining|Preserving|Retaining|Holding|Protecting|Conserving} surfaces {clean|clear} {also|additionally} {plays|performs} {a significant|a big|a major} {role|position|function} {in the|within the} {preventing|stopping} the {spread|unfold} of the virus. Influenza virus is destroyed by {heat|warmth} (167-212°F [75-{100|one hundred|a hundred}°C]). {In addition|As well as}, {several|a number of} chemical germicides, {including|together with} chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents ({soap|cleaning soap}), iodophors (iodine-{based|based mostly|primarily based} antiseptics), and alcohols are {effective|efficient} {against|towards|in opposition to} influenza viruses if {used in|utilized in} {proper|correct} {concentration|focus} for {sufficient|enough|adequate|ample} {length|size} of time. {For example|For instance}, wipes or gels with alcohol in them {can be used|can be utilized} {to clean|to wash|to scrub} hands.

Not {wanting to|eager to|desirous to} sound like a doomsday prophet {but|however} {in the end|in the long run|ultimately} {the following|the next} is known. The {threat|menace|risk} is real. {Bird|Chook|Fowl|Hen|Chicken} flu is spreading at an alarming rate. {There is|There’s|There may be} the potential for a catastrophic flu pandemic. Since 1997 {we have|we now have|we’ve|we have now|we’ve got|now we have} seen the virus go from affecting {just|simply} birds, to affecting {other|different} animals and now an {increasing|growing|rising} {amount|quantity} of human infections. {This is|That is} {showing|displaying|exhibiting} that the virus is {changing|altering} {and not|and never} for the better. The world is {becoming|turning into|changing into} united to stopping this {deadly|lethal} virus and saving an apocalyptic nightmare. Do {we know|we all know} when or {where|the place} a flu pandemic {may|might|could} {start|begin}? No, we don’t {due to the|because of the|as a result of} {fact|reality|truth} {at this time|presently|right now|at the moment} {there is no|there isn’t a|there isn’t any|there is no such thing as a} absolute proof of human to human transmittal of the virus we {can not|cannot|can’t} guess. {This is a|This can be a|It is a} prerequisite of a pandemic; it {has to be|needs to be|must be} {spread|unfold} human to human.
By monitoring, reporting {and working|and dealing} {together|collectively} on vaccines {we are|we’re} {at the present time|this present day|these days|nowadays|at the moment} staying {ahead|forward} of a {possible|potential|attainable|doable} flu pandemic which {could|might|may} devastate {the global|the worldwide} community. {There is|There’s|There may be} promise as seen by this month’s discovery of a workable vaccine for the avian flu virus. Even with this new {threat|menace|risk} as {individuals|people} we do {need to|have to|must} take precautions {to keep|to maintain} from contracting any of {the other|the opposite} {forms of|types of} influenza. By continued {research|analysis}, {individual|particular person} effort and the joint effort of {the global|the worldwide} {community|group|neighborhood} we {may|might|could} {avoid|keep away from} a flu pandemic {that would|that might|that may|that will} have the potential to kill millions.

For {more|extra} {information|info|data} on the avian flu virus some good {resources|assets|sources} are. {Centers|Facilities} for {Disease|Illness} {Control|Management} and Prevention, World {Health|Well being} {Organization|Group}, {Department|Division} of {Health|Well being} and Human {Services|Providers|Companies}, the World {Organization|Group} for Animal {Health|Well being} and the New England Journal of Medicine.