NEWS: Repeat of last years avian flu outbreak feared with 6 deaths in Vietnam, page 1

posted on Jan, 19 2005 @ 09:58 PM

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With six confirmed deaths in the last six weeks, health experts are preparing for a repeat of last years avian flu outbreak. According to a World Health Organization representative, the disease has a higher fatality rate than the Ebola virus. The biggest concern is the upcoming Tet, or New Years celebration.

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HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - Health experts are bracing for a repeat of last year's avian flu outbreak after the deaths of six people in Vietnam in the last three weeks.

Outbreaks among poultry have been reported across Vietnam and health experts said the pattern looks similar to this time last year when the virus spread rapidly just before the popular Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet. It quickly emerged in nine other Asian countries, killing or forcing the culls of about 100 million birds and jumping from poultry to people in Vietnam and Thailand, where 26 and 12 deaths have occurred respectively.

"It has a higher fatality rate than the Ebola virus," said Hans Troedsson, World Health Organization representative in Vietnam, where more than 70 per cent of those infected have died.

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The WHO is very fearful that the Avian Flu could become the next pandemic. Countries with really high population densities or poor health care systems are at real risk for an outbreak getting out of hand. With global trade and travel now mainstream, the ability of a disease like this to spread like wildfire is a distinct possibility.

[edit on 1/19/05 by FredT]

[edit on 1/19/05 by FredT]

sanctum

posted on Jan, 20 2005 @ 06:45 AM

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Thailand confirms bird flu outbreak

Thailand has confirmed its first outbreak of a deadly strain of bird flu for the year.

The announcement comes as the sixth person in three weeks dies from the virus in Vietnam.

Thailand's Livestock Department has declared a state of high alert across the country after 20 cases of bird flu were found in fighting cocks in the eastern province of Rayong.

A second outbreak has been confirmed hundreds of kilometres to the north in 50 chickens in the central Phitsanulok province.

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sanctum

posted on Jan, 20 2005 @ 09:04 AM

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Bird flu may evolve into epidemic: WHO

In its latest report on preparedness for an influenza pandemic, the organisation says the situation "may resemble that leading to the 1918 pandemic", which killed more than 40 million people.

The United Nations health agency fears that the H5N1 bird flu virus could mutate into a deadly human form.

It is again urging countries and drugs companies to speed development and production of a vaccine.

The death toll in Asia stands at 38 - 26 in Vietnam and 12 in Thailand - from the latest outbreak.

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