Day One of the Avian Influenza Epidemic

Today there have been five deaths reported in the area around Ely, Minnesota. The suspected source of the illness is a recent outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1). This past week there have been a significant amount of deaths of poultry at a small family-owned farm five miles out of the Ely area. The owner of the farm had failed to report these strange deaths to the Center for Disease Control and called upon local college students to help clean up the carcasses. Of these students, two are now dead while four others are showing symptoms of the illness. Local authorities have been called in to take action and prevent the further spread of the disease. Further investigation of this incident will be reported in the coming days.
Avian flu, also known as the bird flu, originated in eastern Asia by infecting pigs. Through an exchange of genetic information, a new virus was produced that was linked to chicken and poultry. Over time, a change was made in the genetics of the virus that allows the disease to be passed from poultry to humans. A more recent development has resulted in the ability of transmission from human to human, which makes for more of a chance of a global pandemic. The symptoms of this virus include cough, sore throat, fever, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, runny nose, headache, and muscle aches. Because there are many strains of the virus in the world today, these symptoms can vary within specific cases. Within the body, the virus invades a cell and transmits its genetic information within the nucleus. The virus then leave the cell and invades the surrounding tissues to invade other cells.
Although many believe this illness is considered a bacteria, this avian influenza is classified as a virus, meaning it needs a host in order to reproduce and survive. Antibiotics are unable to affect the virus and can be spread through air, water, contact, droplet and immune carrier. In the case of the avian flu, the virus can be transmitted through contact with infected bird and infected surfaces. In comparison, bacteria are single-celled organisms that produce asexually and grow exponentially. Further news will be reported as this case develops.