Deadly virus spreads to 45 countries
The strand has spread to wild birds that can carry the virus long distances.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- Bird flu has hit 45 countries, killed more than 100 people and seems to be spreading quickly, the U.N. official in charge of tracking the virus said Wednesday.
Dr. David Nabarro said the virus has led to the deaths of some 200 million birds and has impoverished millions of small poultry farmers.
Between 2003 and 2005 the virus was reported in 15 countries. But in the first four months of this year it has moved rapidly to 30 new countries, with major outbreaks in Tur3
key, Iraq, Israel, Gaza, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar, India, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Bukina Faso.
"I suspect we're going to see further spread of H5N1 into other countries," he said, referring to the deadly and virulent strain of the virus.
Similar to 1918 virus
"This is very similar to the virus that caused the influenza pandemic of 1918," Nabarro said. It's not identical but it's similar. ... So therefore, the 1918 virus, which caused this huge pandemic associated with 40 million deaths, seems to have a successor waiting in the wings."
Nabarro, the U.N.'s chief coordinator for avian influenza, spoke at a meeting organized by the United Nations Foundation on how to inform people around the world of the bird flu threat.
He said the H5N1 virus is known to have stricken more than 200 people, but it probably has affected "many, many more."
Nabarro said the virus has spread to wild birds, including Muscovy ducks and certain kinds of geese that can carry it long distances without any symptoms.
These wild birds are spreading H5N1, he said.
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