Avian Flu Update

Avian flu (Bird Flu) has not seemed to have the aggressive clinical course that might be expected this year. If is hoped that this might signal the diminishing virulence of the virus. Bird Flu seems to have returned with a periodicity of 75 to 100 years. This strain (H5N1) was first isolated in 1995 which could mean that 12 years is long enough and the virus is on the wane.

• But 3600 wild ducks died in December in Idaho.
• The start of Avian Flu season in Hong Kong was seen on 1/4/2007.
• It has now been transmitted into sparrows.
• The H5N1 virus has continued to have new polymorphisms which are new strains that may mean new virulence.
• These new strains have been reported in Egypt, Korea, Azerbaijan, China, Mongolia and Iraq.

Most of you received prescriptions for Singulair, Tamiflu and lately for the post-flu pneumonia treatment with a Tri-Pack of Azithromycin. These will be stable for some time after the expiration date if stored in the refrigerator.

We might have dodged the bullet of Avian Flu but as you can see, there is too much virus activity to know.