Bird flu targeting the young

As death toll nears 100, scientists scramble to explain why H5N1 virus is killing healthy people under 40


Mar. 11, 2006. 07:57 AM
RITA DALY
STAFF REPORTER

With the World Health Organization set to announce the 100th death from bird flu any day now, data compiled by the Toronto Star lead to one particularly compelling question: Why does the H5N1 virus attack the young?

The Star's analysis shows that all but six of the 97 people who have died globally so far from bird flu were under 40.

People, in other words, with the strongest immune systems and not, as one might expect, the elderly and those already sick. The median age was 19, and a quarter of them were under age 12.

Children, teenagers and young adults are the unfortunate victims of the deadly H5N1 bird flu sweeping through poultry farms in Asia, Africa and now Europe.

Hooked up to breathing tubes and dialysis machines in local hospital beds, bodies soaked in sweat, and blood oozing from their nostrils and mouth, they have a mere 50 per cent chance of pulling through. The rest die in a matter of days.

Any day now the World Health Organization will announce the 100th death from the bird flu that re-emerged in late 2003.

Yesterday, health officials confirmed a 4-year-old Indonesian boy died last month, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 176 and the world death toll to 97. Another three deaths in Azerbaijan are under investigation.

Although human cases are uncommon, it is now apparent the H5N1 will eventually reach North American shores, possibly via migratory birds in Alaska within six to 12 months. So what health experts know about how and whom it strikes is crucial.

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