Scientists studying the deadly 1918 flu strain that killed approximately 50 million people worldwide have discovered that the 1918 flu also came from birds. This makes it similar to H5N1, the deadly bird flu virus that infectious disease experts are concerned could create a modern pandemic killing tens or hundreds of millions of people. H5N1 has killed 65 people so far according to the BBC article. H5N1 has not yet acquired the ability to transmit easily from person to person -- it is this step that could lead to the global pandemic.
Working on virus samples from the remains of victims of the 1918 pandemic, the researchers were able to piece together the entire genetic sequence of the virus.
They found the virus contained elements that were new to humans of the time - making it highly virulent.
And analysis of the final three pieces of the virus' genetic code has revealed mutations that have striking similarities to those found in flu viruses found only in birds, such as the H5N1 strain currently found in south east Asia.
NBC5.com's Dr. Malloy also has a helpful Question and Answer article that answers some basic questions about bird flu that he has received.
What exactly is bird flu?
Bird flu is a viral infection carried by wild birds. It has now spread to domesticated birds and has killed over 100 million of them. Now the bird flu virus has shown it can easily mutate and in some instances make a direct jump from birds to people. Thee have been at least 100 human cases mainly in the far east with the most case occurring in Vietnam.
When did the first human case occur?
1997
Why is bird flu different from regular flu?
Bird flu is genetically different and much more lethal with over half the victims dying. The most deadly type of bird flu virus is H5N1 and it is very similar genetically to the 1918 Spanish Flu that killed 59 million worldwide.
The BBC also offers a Q and A page. More resources can be found on the CDC's Avian flu page. Past bird flu coverage in the Science News Blog can be found here
