Aiv Virus

Introduction

Throughout the history of the human race there has been many diseases ; starting with the common cold, chicken pox, small pox, up to the life threatening AIDS and so on. After many years of trial and error we have developed cures of many diseases; further more we have the ability to prevent infection from many viruses by the development of vaccination. Others which yet don’t have one are on research till this very moment. Today, let me introduce you one of these diseases, a disease which has killed millions before and still has the chance to do more. Yet, many still doesn’t know how serious it is. Ladies and gentleman the AIV.

The AIV has many types of viruses. On this presentation I’m going to let you understand more about the one type which broke out since 1997 which is contagious to human beings. Type H5N1.

On this 12 minute brief presentation, I will be talking about the definition of the virus, FACTS; such as, the history, contagiousness, and the symptoms of it. And for last the answers and safety marks you would be interested in. For last, up to Penny’s decision we might be able to have some time for questions which will be after the presentation.

Flu is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by a virus of the Influenza family. Transmission of influenza may be caused From

- infected mammals through the air by coughs or sneezes

- From infected birds through their droppings

- Also possible for both by saliva and blood

I would like to point out that flu is sometimes confused with the common cold. This is also caused by a virus though a different kind and the real flu caused by the influenza virus is a much more severe disease.

Then why is it called H5N1 virus? Let’s have a look at a virus first.

Surrounded by a thick envelop formed of many small spikes

Those spikes are formed of molecules called glycoproteins. Different kinds of glycoproteins are covering the virus but 2 are especially important:

o

o

o

o Hemagglutinin called H1, H2, H3 …

o Neuraminidase called N1, N2, N3 …

This is essential since it gives the virus an id card and makes it unique.

Let’s take a look at the avian flu virus itself.

The avian flu virus which has killed millions of birds and over 250 humans over the past 3 years is called H5N1 simply because its surface glycoproteins are:

o Haemagglutinin H5

o Neuraminidase N1

This is the reason why the avian flu virus which is talked about so much in the media is called H5N1.

There are two types of influenzas the epidemic and the pandemic.

Other like the epidemic flu, pandemic influenza can be recognized any time of the year and has no vaccine from the start which will be needed for the whole population.

The last century has seen