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India is the latest country to be hit by bird flu
In India, Avian Bird Flu came in news after the first case was reported on 18th February 2006. Samples are being tested to prevent the outbreak of the disease.
Avian flu is caused by the avian influenza viruses that occur naturally among birds in their intestines. The sick migratory birds shed the flu virus with their saliva, feces and nasal secretions. The domestic birds get infected when in contact with secretions or contaminated surfaces. Humans working around diseased birds are most prone to get the infection. The "Avian Flu Virus" refers to influenza A virus present in birds but can infect humans too. The "Human Influenza Virus" is a subtype of the Avian Flu Virus that spreads among humans. Avian Flue vaccines are the best precautions, and its use is promoted to protect the population from the disease. Several countries are working on the bird flue vaccines, India being one of them.
Bird flu virus was detected for the first time in Hong Kong in 1997. During the following years cases were reported from many South East Asian countries. The first patient in the current outbreak was reported from Vietnam in December 2003. The bird flu in China was first detected in the wild birds on 4th May 2005 in China's Qinqhai. As the Avian flu has shown concentration in the Asian countries, therefore at times it is also referred as "Asian Bird Flue".
The above bird flu map shows the distribution of cases across world since January 2004 till February 2005.
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