Bird Flu in China, a Pandemic Virus Threat to Humans

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A second wave of bird flu is spreading throughout the world. Some sources state that it is due to varying and constant mutations of the virus. Experts believe that the different virus strains could cause a human pandemic.  

NBC News states that the first case of people contracting the virus was reported by the University of Hong Kong in Guan Yi, China over two years ago. The strain reported back then seemed to be H7N9.  

Researches at the University have since been published in the journal "Nature," warning that the virus must be eradicated. Apparently, the H7N9 strain is persistent in chickens and responsible for the rapid spread of bird flu.  

The University researchers believe, "Given the current pattern of dissemination, it will only be a matter of time before poultry movements spreads this virus beyond China by cross-border trade," reports the Washington Post. 

To make matters worse, the viruses seems to constantly mutate, developing different strains. According to NBC News, there are at least 48 different subtypes of the virus.  

Apparently, the bird flu virus is not just mutating but also swapping genes with other types of flu viruses, which result in new strains. Scientists fear that one of the strains will enable the virus to spread to humans; thereby, causing an epidemic. 

In the journal "Nature," researchers state, "This expansion of genetic diversity of influenza viruses in China means that unless effective control measure are in place, such as permanent closure of live poultry markets, central slaughtering and preventing inter-regional poultry transportation during disease outbreaks, and backed by systematic surveillance, it is reasonable to expect the H7N9 and other viruses to persist and cause a substantial number of severe human infections."  

Currently, the strain that worries experts the most is H5N1. NBC reports that since 2003, H5N1 has infected 784 people in 16 countries, killing 428 of them. It is a concern since it is still circulating, mutating, and swapping genes.  

According to the World Health Organization, a strain of the virus has already spread to China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Canada. The Washington Post adds that there was an outbreak found in Arkansas in the America. The United States government has stated that the outbreak seems to have come from commercial turkey flocks in Missouri and Minnesota.  

As of now, it seems that the most deathly strains are H7N9 and H5N1. NBC News reports that these strains are still adapted more to bird than humans. However, with the strains constantly mutating, human infection is prone to occur.