The Influenza A, or avian bird flu, virus
While scientists have known about the avian flu in birds for over 50 years, the first known human infection occurred in 1997. Since 2003, more than 400 people have contracted the avian flu and more than 261 people have died from the disease. The majority of deaths were concentrated in Asia, with 115 confirmed deaths in Indonesia, 56 in Vietnam and 25 in China. Over 40 countries have confirmed human infection with influenza A.
Scientists carefully handle birds infected with influenza A
Travelers visiting influenza afflicted countries should take simple precautions to ensure their health. Good hygiene, including hand washing before and after meals, is important. You should avoid confined in public spaces---subways, trains and planes--while in the areas of high influenza activity. Any contact with birds should be limited, and gowns, face masks and gloves should be worn at all times to prevent the spread of the illness from animal to human.
A scientist in Hong Kong prepares a vaccination for influenza A
Vaccinations have been produced to help fight the spread of influenza A, but because there are so many strains of the virus, vaccinations are not always effective or reliable. Patients who have traveled to a country with avian influenza activity and are hospitalized with a severe respiratory illness no more than ten days later should be managed using isolation precautions, including careful hand hygiene, using gloves and gowns during all patient contact and wearing goggles when within three feet of the patient. These precautions should continue for two weeks after the initial diagnosis is established or the patient recovers from the illness.
