Public Health Officials Battle Bird Flu
The changeability of viruses always keeps public health and safety officials on their toes. The avian influenza, or bird flu, that has come to Russia is part of an on-going concern about the virus becoming a deadly pandemic for humans.
Public Health Threat
The bird flu killed thousands of domestic birds in Russia last July. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt has already expressed concern about the latest surfacing of the disease, and he said that U.S. public health and medical experts are currently in Russia to help deal with the deadly virus's latest emergence.Bird Flu: What is it?
Plenty of people have heard the term bird flu, but many people may not exactly understand the threat. There are two main forms of the avian influenza. One causes ruffled and reduced egg production. The second is highly pathogenic and has a mortality rate among birds approaching 100%. This latter form is called the H5N1 strain and is obviously the most concerning to public health and safety experts.What's the Big Deal?
The bird flu has affected the U.S. in the past. In 1983-1984, more than 17 million birds were destroyed in Pennsylvania, and the costs of the bird flu reached $65 million. In a few rare cases, families living closely with diseased birds have contracted the virus. More alarming to public health officials is that avian and human influenza viruses have shown the ability to gene swap when a person is infected. This could potentially create a completely new subtype of the virus, against which few if any humans would have an immunity.Online College Degree in Public Health
So far, the danger of the bird flu becoming a human pandemic is small, but diligent public health and safety officials are always on the lookout. Getting an online college degree in public health could be an avenue into a rewarding career safe-guarding the world against deadly viruses. With an online college, you can get a degree at your own learning pace and move towards a new career in public health and safety without giving up your day job. Plus, you don't have to leave your home to get an online college degree. Pretty soon, you could be helping keep the world healthy and safe from diseases like the bird flu.Sources
Public Health Officials Watch Russian Bird Flu
World Health Organization About Bird Flu
Bird Flu Q&A
About the Author
James Tolles is the Managing Editor for hq|publications. He helped write and edit the successful application for Sparks, NV that earned the city honors as a 2004 All-America City Finalist-a title held by only 30 cities in the nation. He is also a freelance writer. He attended a four year liberal arts college and holds two B.A. degrees, one in Creative Writing and the other in History.
