In the worst-case scenario 50,000 Canadians could die from the potential bird flu pandemic, epidemiologist Danuta Skowronski tells CBC's Anna Maria Tremonti. Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, occurs naturally in birds and less commonly in pigs. But when the virus jumps from bird to human, medical experts start to worry. The possibility of the deadly H5N1 strain of the avian flu being transmitted from human to human has scientists preparing for the worst.

• Avian influenza was first identified over 100 years ago during an outbreak in Italy.
• In 1997, six people in Hong Kong died from a new strain of avian influenza H5N1. It was the first time the avian influenza virus was transmitted directly to humans. The Hong Kong government slaughtered 1.5 million chickens in three days as a precaution. The government's quick response was credited with bringing the outbreak under control.

• In February 2003, the H5N1 avian influenza resurfaced in Hong Kong causing one confirmed death after a family visit to southern China. Another child in the family died during that visit, but the cause of death was not confirmed. Again millions of birds were slaughtered and the outbreak was reported to be under control.

• The most recent outbreak of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in human, which first appeared in Vietnam in January 2004, has infected over 100 people and killed 68 by November 2005. (World Health Organization)

• The WHO considers the most recent outbreak of avian influenza to be the largest and most severe on record. Birds with the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza have been reported in numerous countries including Russia, Turkey and Romania. (2005)
• Avian influenza is transmitted by infected birds shedding the flu virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and feces.

• Avian influenza is not transmitted through cooked food. The H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat. Normal temperatures used for cooking (70 C) will kill the virus. Eating properly cooked poultry or poultry products — even when the food was contaminated with the H5N1 virus – will not infect people with the avian flu virus. (November 2005, WHO)

• In most cases, avian influenza in humans was from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. Human-to-human spread of avian influenza has been reported in rare cases and so far the transmission has not continued beyond the second infected person.

• More than 120 million birds have been slaughtered to prevent further infections. (November 2005, FAO)
• The H5 strain of avian influenza has hit Canada. In November 2005, two wild ducks tested positive for H5N1 virus, but it wasn't the dangerous strain of the flu that had hit Southeast Asia.

• Avian influenza virus has also been found in a commercial duck on a farm in Chilliwack, B.C. That virus does not pose a risk to humans but the Canadian Food Inspection Agency ordered the slaughter of all birds on the farm. All farms within a five kilometre radius were placed under quarantine as well. An H5N3 subtype avian influenza virus has also been found in two birds in Quebec.

• Avian vaccine is currently (2005) in development but it can't be finalized until the pandemic version of the virus actually appears.
• A vaccine provides immunity from a disease. An antiviral drug is used to treat an existing illness. Antivirals can also be used in a preventive way but unlike vaccines, they don't provide immunity.

Medium: Radio
Program: The Current
Broadcast Date: Jan. 27, 2004
Host: Anna Maria Tremonti
Guest(s): Danuta Skowronski
Duration: 10:28