Scientists Discover Why H5N1 Is So Lethal to Humans

The H5N1 strain of bird flu, which has claimed the lives of at least 241 people worldwide, is much more severe than ordinary human flu viruses. Now scientists believe they have discovered why that is the case.
The explanation lies in the patient's viral load and the subsequent inflammatory response, say researchers from the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in an article published in Nature Medicine.

Early diagnosis and effective treatment with antivirals -- such as Tamiflu and Relenza -- to prevent an intense cytokine response ought to be the primary focus of clinical management, they advised.

Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry, such as domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys, or surfaces contaminated with secretion or excretions from infected birds, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.