Many people are concerned following recent media coverage of a possible flu pandemic. Some health organizations have suggested that avian flu (bird flu) outbreaks in Asia could lead to human infection, giving rise to a global pandemic. The recent outbreak of avian flu in Fraser Valley poultry has served to galvanize public concern and fear of human infection.
The current risk to Canadians of contracting avian flu is extremely low. The strain of flu that appears to have “crossed” from bird to human in Asia is the H5N1 variety. This strain poses far more of a threat to human health than the H5N2 virus that has affected birds in the Fraser Valley and elsewhere.
Recently, there have been reports of the H5N1 variety of avian flu affecting humans in Turkey. It is important to understand that those who contracted H5N1 influenza were members of the same families, who came into direct contact with birds infected with the virus. (In the affected regions of the world, it is common among rural households to bring poultry into the home during cold weather.)
Should the H5N1 virus develop into a form that can be easily transmitted between humans, there is certainly a high risk of a global flu pandemic. However, to date, there is no indication that this process has taken place. The World Health Organization, Health Canada, and other health authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation and will release advisories if and when necessary.