Experts: Asian bird flu virus, killer strain could sweep across world

Photo Tommy Mack

ABC News
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is not surprised by recent reports out of China that the bird flu has been transmitted between people. The illness has killed more than 240 people worldwide, although most cases were caught from poultry. There have now been a handful of confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission. The WHO’s Dr Ian Barr has told a Canberra conference the virus is currently not considered risky for humans, [then why the warning] but it should be monitored in case it mutates into a more virulent form.

“It’s a very widespread virus currently and it’s quite a nasty virus,” he said. “I think in terms of ones that we’d like to keep an eye on most closely, it’s the one.” Australian governments are preparing for a flu pandemic, and some corporations are stockpiling anti-viral drugs for their employees.”