how is bird flu transmitted and what are the best precautions to take
to avoid infection?
(aside from a vaccine that may or may not become available)

Hi timespacette,

Thank you for another interesting question.

Ask Yahoo
http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20040325.html

Question:
What is bird flu and how is it transmitted? 

Answer:
"Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a Type A influenza virus that
affects mostly birds and occasionally pigs. The virus can pass from
bird to bird when it is inhaled and from contact with infected
droppings. Contaminated equipment, infectious particles carried on the
feet and bodies of animals, and migratory waterfowl can spread the
disease. Since December 2003, a highly pathogenic strain has
devastated dozens of Asian domestic poultry stocks, and several human
infections have been reported.

According to the CDC, which offers a basic fact sheet
on the virus, bird flu is especially pernicious to humans because we
lack the necessary immune protections against the disease.

All influenza viruses are dangerous because they are prone to change;
the Hong Kong flu pandemic of 1968 killed 34,000 people in the United
States.

The World Health Organization's excellent Bird Flu FAQ
notes that no human-to-human transmissions have been reported. 

There's much warranted concern about the latest outbreak -- it has
spread rapidly and is highly pathogenic."

=========

Basic Information About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu):
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/facts.htm

World Health Organization Avian influenza frequently asked questions:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/avian_faqs/en/

=========


Best regards,
tlspiegel

thank you tls, good links!

ts

Stay away from birds???

LOL... GA would never hire me, eh?

Steph53

Hi timespacette,

Thank you for the 5 star rating, comments, and tip!

Best regards,
tlspiegel