Since the start of the year, Egypt has reported １８ human cases of H５N１ bird flu, with the ６ fatalities thus far already outnumbering those from the entire year of ２００９ and ２００８.

The Strengthening Avian Influenza Detection and Response website reports ７０ H５N１ outbreaks in birds in Egypt, １３ of which were on farms, with human illnesses also noted for their contact with infected birds.

In Âu Lạc (Vietnam), five cases and two deaths have been reported since the start of ２０１０, which is equivalent to all the cases in ２００９. The most recent fatality is ３-year-old child whose family lives near a poultry slaughterhouse. Moreover, the virus has been found to be mutating, with ７ new strains identified that are also medication-resistant and potentially lethal.

The risk of recurrence and infection is high, with the bird flu virus already claiming half the lives of all humans who are infected. Meanwhile, Indonesia has also reported a fatality this year, while the World Health Organization states that poultry or wild bird flocks in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Israel, Myanmar, and Nepal have also been infected.  Our prayers for those afflicted by the H５N１ bird flu as we send our sympathies to the families who have suffered loss.

May our world soon be free of the suffering from such animal-borne diseases as people worldwide turn to the life-sparing and compassionate vegan fare.

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/mar3010avian.html
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/health/2010-03/24/c_13223021.htm
http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Health/2010/3/80459/
http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Health/2010/3/80403/
http://topnews.us/content/213840-rising-h5n1-bird-flu-cases-cause-concern-all-over-world