Buy one bird and get one free. Make sure it doesn't sneeze on you.

Avian flu has finally reaches British shores. 2600 Turkeys died since Tuesday on a Suffolk farm. 160000 were gassed to death by the officials.

Tests have showed that the flu is highly pathogenic H5N1 which has killed thousands of birds

What is Avian Flu?

Like people birds suffer from flu as well. There are dozens of different versions of Avian flu. H5 which is the killer has nine different versions, only one of these, H5N1 is deadly for humans. It is also highly pathogenic and that is why so many birds are dying.

How many people have died from Avian Flu?

As of last week nearly 170 in ten countries, Nigeria was the latest. Over 270 have been infected. Lucky ones survive. However true numbers could be in thousands as bird flu gets into all of the body and some people could be dying without doctors knowing.

How is the flu passed onto humans?

Main theory is that when bird droppings become dry the leftover is pulverised and it is this powdery stuff that is inhaled by people.



More facts about Avian Flu

There are indications that Avian flu can be passed on from people to people.

Chances of mass outbreak are very slim.

There are drugs that will be used to minimise any outbreak. However there are problems with vaccines for people because every strain of flu could be different.

Chicken is still safe to eat.

The avian flu is not going to go away as some birds build immunity to it and become the carriers.

I predict that public hysteria will bring price of chicken down.