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Here, an Indonesian research technician examines chicken tissue samples as she prepares to test for the presence of H5N1. Keeping close watch on the disease's continued spread in the domestic and wild bird populations is essential at this point, as is acting quickly to contain outbreaks among chickens in order to avert severe economic impacts and to minimize the possibility of spreading the disease to poultry workers. Across Asia, some 200 million chickens and ducks have been killed outright by the disease or culled in an attempt to stave off further deaths, resulting in massive losses for poultry producers large and small.
More importantly, in the absence of a proven treatment or vaccine, it is fundamentally important for the future of human health to recognize H5N1 outbreaks as soon as they appear, if only to buy time for the development of effective medical and public health measures.
Since H5N1 influenza is a zoonotic disease, communication between animal and human health specialists is key in tracking the virus and planning a response to it. In previous pandemics, humanity had no access to detailed advance information about its viral enemies. H5N1's attack on the avian population may be horrifying, but it may well have lessons for human researchers looking to formulate a medical response. If policymakers can be convinced to join the effort, it is at least possible to begin combatting an H5N1 pandemic before it has a chance to begin.
Credit: FAO/A. Ariadi
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Briefing
Read a briefing on the dangers posed by avian influeza and the challenges nations must overcome in order to fight against it.
Interactive Map
Explore how avian flu is spreading across Asia.
Filmmaker Notes
Go behind the scenes with producer Micah Fink.
Info-Graphic
Learn how chemical and biological weapons work.
Interactive Challenge
Test your knowledge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
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