Outbreak in Humans is Not Inevitable

Is an outbreak of deadly bird flu among humans inevitable

No, there have been no examples yet of the virus passing from humans to humans

Why are people worried about it

The deadly H5N1 strain of the disease has been identified in Turkey and Romania. There are concerns about it spreading further into Europe carried by wild birds, which could devastate the poultry industry

Is there any danger to humans?

Around 60 people in Asia have died from the virus since 2003 but they have all been poultry workers and therefore in close contact with birds. The fear is that the virus could mutate so that it can pass easily between humans

Can people catch the virus by eating poultry?

No

How deadly could the mutant virus be?

It could kill 50,000 people but this is only a best guess and depends on the virulence of the strain. Winter flu normally kills 12,000 a year in Britain

Will we face a bird flu pandemic this winter?

The chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, thinks it is unlikely. Experts say there would have to be an epidemic among birds first, then the virus would have to spread to humans before it finally mutated – but it could then spread rapidly

What is the Government doing about it?

The Government is stocking up on Tamiflu, an anti-viral drug which would prevent the virus spreading inside the body and prevent some deaths. But it is not a cure

Will everyone be given the drug?

No. Officials have ordered 14 million doses of Tamiflu, enough to cover a quarter of the population. But so far only 2.5 million have been amassed and they are being delivered at the rate of 800,000 a month. The Government has no plans to issue it to healthy people as a precaution

Is there a vaccine?

No, a vaccine for the mutant form passing between humans cannot be developed because no such strain has yet been found