Shades Of 1918? Comparing Avian Flu With A Notorious Killer From The Past
Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 19:35
in Health & Medicine
Scientists compared the recent avian strain known in the scientific community as H5N1, with genetic ressortants of the 1918 virus -- source of the most severe influenza pandemic in recorded history. H5N1 was found to replicate profusely within the first 24 hours, causing severe damage to respiratory tissues while sending the host's innate immune response into a lethal overdrive, reminiscent of the trajectory of the original 1918 virus.