If previously citizens of the world are made uneasy by the spread of avian influenza or bird flu cases, scientists are now re-discovered new flu threat more deadly. As reported by the Daily Mail, recently, scientists from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York found that seal flu was found to pose a new threat to human health. Even supposedly, this flu claimed to be more deadly than previous bird flu.
New flu virus called H3N8 was found after the death of 162 seals in New England last year. Worse, the virus which is now found on seals in America harbor has the potential to infect other mammals, including humans. Furthermore Daily Mail website reveals, this virus is closely related to one of the viruses that have evolved in the flock of birds in North America since 2002. But unlike in birds, the virus seems to have to adapt and live in mammals.
In particular, this virus has the ability to attack the protein known as sitokcin found in the human lung. This can cause the immune system to work harder, and eventually attack itself, resulting in tissue damage. "There is concern, that we discovered a new virus that is contagious mammals (zoonoses) and have never been exposed to humans. It is a combination that we have never seen on previous diseases," said Professor Anne Moscona, head of research which is then amplified by Anthony Simon from Columbia University. Scientists warn of bird flu cases, particularly H1N1, and H5N1, which has infected humans to cause death. Hence the presence of a new strain of course, can be a threat to public health.
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| Image of flu viruses are increased in size as 10,000 times using an atomic microscope. You can imagine how fierce this virus by just looking thorns around it. (Picture from: http://navconews.org/) |
In January 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 583 cases of H5N1 occurred (bird flu) in humans that led to 344 deaths. Warning itself has been published in the online journal American Society for Microbiology.
One interesting case occurred in Rifle, Colorado, USA, on Austin Booth a star athlete, honor student, and a popular classmate with a promising future. Within six days after he contracted the flu in last January, Austin died. He was only 17 years old, a teenager who was full of energy. He never got a flu shot.
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| Viruses are shown in this picture is old viruses before the virus mutated into a violent and lethal to humans in a few days. (Picture from: http://www.doctortipster.com/) |
"After the U.S. hit by ferocious storm, there was flu season and we know many kids who are sick, and we do not think much about it," said his mother, Regina Booth, 42. "He was a healthy teenager. He was one of the children who excel in everything," he said.
USA Today said the data center Disease Control and Prevention, between 3,000 and 49,000 Americans die every year because of influenza. More than 200,000 were hospitalized each year with flu-related complications such as pneumonia. In the last four years the CDC has changed its recommendation and is now urging all Americans to get a flu shot. Children under nine years of age, who get immunized for the first time, should get two doses, one month apart.
Hong Kong, China, and mainland Asia is now in danger of the spread of the flu, the virus had mutated to become more virulent. This disease will soon widespread. While scientists have not found a cure to prevention action. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DEDI RISKOMAR | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 06122012]
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