In the news today was a report of persons in Eygpt contracting H5N1 Asian Flu.  I thought it would be a good idea to revisit the Bird Flu (Asian Flu H5N1) which originated in Southeast Asian in 2003.  So it's been over 6 years that this particular influenza has been identified on our planet.  Part of the news today mentioned the fact that the H5N1 may have mutated a little enabling people who contract the virus to actually stay alive.  This is both a blessing and a curse, as many may survive the H5N1 virus, yet it may spread to more people. 

A brief history of the Asian Flu H5N1.  It began in October of 2003 as and epidemic of flu in chickens began spreading through southeast asia.  Countries included China, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam and Cambodia.  The H5N1 Virus (named because of it's H5 molecule) has been known in bird influenza viruses but has not been seen on flu viruses that cause human epidemics.  Thus begun the rare but extremely fatal human cases of Asian Ful H5N1 that have been occuring ever since.  Human beings have no resistance against the H5N1 strain.  It begs the question of whether or not we will experience another worldwide pandemic like the one experienced in 1918. (where millions of humans perished)   So really there are so many unknowns at this time.   The question is will the strain spread rapidly among human beings.  And if so, when will that occur.  There are many people who continue to prepare for the pandemic of AsianFlu H5N1.  And work continues on a H5N1 vaccine.

Back to today's article.  The article mentioned that a pandemic of Asian Flu H5N1 has been identified by the British government as the biggest threat facing the country – with the potential to kill up to 750,000 Britons.  Also mentioned was that in Egypt during the past year, the majority of cases of AsianFlu H5N1 has been with children under 12 years of age.   And work continues on a H5N1 vaccine.  There was another report of H5N1 Bird flu activity in Indonesia.  The reports confirm several cases of H5N1, so we are not out of the woods yet.  I'm beginning to think of a way to prepare for this epidemic or possible Pandemic if it hits the United States.  I do have a safe place to go far from the masses of people.  But I just think that without being paranoid, a little caution and preparation is always advisable.   I'm planning on getting some masks and some good herbs and vitamins to help fight the outbreak because if the disease becomes less able to kill quickly the transmission could be worldwide in a short period of time.  This is what concerns the World Health Organisation most.    I will continue to post articles in this website as more news evolves.  For the current threat level on the WHO website click the link below:

 Click here for the current WHO Alert Level.