Bird Flu: The new face of Terror.

It seems Darwin's Theory of Evolution is not limited to human beings. It is applicable to disease carrying micro-organisms too. As man grows stronger with vaccines and medicines, Nature finds a way to attack back.

Small Pox had been eliminated. AIDS has become a cliche. Even clinical trials are in progress for HIV Vaccine. SARS had a brief but frightening spell in between. And now arrives the new death machine - The Avian Flu.

As the cartoon( courtesy : 6 Faces ) depicts, Avian Flu has become the new face of terror. Last time, when it struck in 2004, the effect on human life was insignifant. But in 1918-19, the Spanish pandemic has killed about 50 million people. So the threat is real and very near.

Looking at the basic details : Avian Flu is an Influenza-like fever caused by virus esp. in the foul birds. It spreads through bird droppings, meat and eggs. The current virus strain is called H5N1. Through birds it can affect human beings and could spread very rapidly. Currently, the flu is mild in human beings but scientists fear that the virus may transform itself into a deadly Human Flu. If that happens, It could make the 1918 pandemic look minor.

So, How to prevent it? Turn Vegeterian. I am an Eggiterian, Hence the chances of infection are much less than the Non-vegeterians. And for strict Non-vegeterians who couldn't survive without meat, cook in healthy conditions and be very careful next time you go to the poultry shop to pick up your chicken.

Now that the Health Department has been woken up from its stupor, I hope it wouldn't be much long before the disease is contained.