Flu Pandemic

Most people are unaware that influenza pandemics are not anything new. In fact, there have been quite a few throughout the years. The Asiatic Flu, also referred to as the Russian flu, struck the world from 1889-1890. In just one year's time, it killed one million people. Just a few years later, in 1918, the Spanish flu hit, killing fifty million individuals in the two years during which it was prevalent. Fortunately, another flu pandemic did not hit for a long time- until the Asian Flu of 1957 to 1958, which killed an estimated 2 million individuals. A decade later, in 1968 and lasting through 1969, one million were killed by the Hong Kong Flu. Recently, in 2009 through 2010, approximately 18,209 people were killed by the swine flu. It is also believed that more flu pandemics swept the world in times earlier than these, though it is impossible to know which influenza viruses were the cause and if they were ever even discovered or understood.

Most people of today are familiar, of course, with swine flu and with the most recent influenza to make the news: bird flu. Avian flu, as it is also called, is extremely dangerous and, since there is not yet a cure or a vaccination, it runs the risk of becoming a pandemic. It is only prevalent in certain countries and areas, and only those who live in or visit those areas need to practice extreme caution. However, everyone can benefit from practicing good hygiene and reporting any odd symptoms to a health care professional.

Bird flu can be spread by coming into contact with the bodily fluids of a contaminated bird. This includes mucus, blood, and waste. It may also be contracted by having contact with a surface that has touched infected bodily fluids or by coming into contact with similar bodily fluids of infected humans or other animals. Eating raw or undercooked poultry in the form of meat or eggs also poses a risk or transmission.