Birdflu also known as avian influenza or the H5N1 influenza virus is a disease that origionally only infects birds.

In may 1997 the first human has been infected and dies in Hong Kong. The virus has been causing an epidemic among poultry in the city. Later that year eightteen other humans were infected by the H5N1 virus in Hong Kong of which the majority had been in direct contact with infected poultry. Six of them died.

In 1983 The Netherlands reports that another variant of the bird flu (H7N7) virus has infected over 80 humans of which one (a veterinarian) dies. In the same year the H5N1 virus spreads undetectedly in India and kills tigers and leopards in a zoo in Thailand after they have eaten fresh chickens. In 2004 in both Vietnam and India, there are reports of humans catching the bird flu from poultry. In February of that year there is an outbreak among poultry in the United States. A quick response by state and federal officials keeps the virus from spreading beyond this one small flock. There are no human cases. Also in 2004 Thailand reports H5N1 infection of domestic cats in a single household and the virus infection spreads among tigers in a Thai zoo.

In the beginning of last year (2005), Cambodia reports it's first human case of the virus which is fatal. That year the virus is also discovered in China (where 6300 wild birds died), Indonesia (a human case of the disease) and Turkey, Romania, Greece and Croatia (infected birds but no human infections).

In November of 2005 the World Health Organisation presents the offiicial count of human bird flu cases which reached 122 of which 62 died (living in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia).

In early January of this year, two human cases of H5N1 infection, both fatal, are reported in rural areas of Eastern Turkey. Also in January, China reports new cases of human H5N1 infection. As of January 25, China reports a total of 10 cases, with 7 deaths. On January 30, Iraq reports its first case of human H5N1 infection, which was fatal, to the WHO. In February of this year China reports it's 12th infection of which in total 8 people unfortunately died. Indonesia reports it's 25th case of human infection of which in total 18 were fatal.

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