Will this be the next Covid-19? Cases of avian flu in Cambodia are worrying scientists. Some fear another global crisis — but others think it is a false alarm.
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Britain on alert for new bird flu outbreak
Will this be the next Covid-19? Cases of avian flu in Cambodia are worrying scientists. Some fear another global crisis - but others think it is a false alarm.
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<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">What's happening?</h2>
The news spread quickly around the world yesterday. In CambodiaA country in South East Asia bordered by Thailand, Vietnam and Laos., an 11-year-old girl died of H5N1, known as avian flu or bird flu.
Until now, bird flu was not able to spread to humans easily. Now, scientists think the virusA very small piece of material that causes disease. may have changed.
The first death from Covid-19The official scientific name for the type of coronavirus that swept the world from March 2020. was reported on 11 January 2020. By then it was too late to act. Within two months, much of the world was in lockdown.
Some fear bird flu could cause a new pandemicAn outbreak of disease which occurs across a wide geographic area, as opposed to an epidemic, which is confined to a particular region.. But others think the world is much better prepared for a bird flu pandemic than we were for Covid-19.
We have learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, leaders are more likely to act quickly to stop illnesses spreading.
Even before Covid-19, the UK was better prepared for a flu pandemic. Health experts thought flu was the most likely cause of the next pandemic, and they based their planning on this idea.
And many viruses never become an emergency. Some once thought MERSShort for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Another type of coronavirus, it is also known as camel flu. would cause a new pandemic, but it did not.
On the other hand, some think Covid-19 means we are less, not more, prepared. They say it would be very hard to convince people to go into lockdown again. And many people disagree over the best way to control diseases.
<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">Find out more</h2>
Yes! All pandemics start with one death. We have known for a long time that bird flu could be a real risk.
No! This is not the first small outbreak of bird flu. It is right to be prepared for a new pandemic, but bird flu may not be it.
Cambodia - A country in South East Asia bordered by Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.
Virus - A very small piece of material that causes disease.
Covid-19 - The official scientific name for the type of coronavirus that swept the world from March 2020.
Pandemic - An outbreak of disease which occurs across a wide geographic area, as opposed to an epidemic, which is confined to a particular region.
MERS - Short for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Another type of coronavirus, it is also known as camel flu.
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<h5 class=" eplus-wrapper" id="question"><strong>Will this be the next Covid-19? </strong></h5>
Britain on alert for new bird flu outbreak
Lockdown: In the UK, all captive poultry and birds must be housed to prevent the spread of avian flu. Glossary
Cambodia - A country in South East Asia bordered by Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.
Virus - A very small piece of material that causes disease.
Covid-19 - The official scientific name for the type of coronavirus that swept the world from March 2020.
Pandemic - An outbreak of disease which occurs across a wide geographic area, as opposed to an epidemic, which is confined to a particular region.
MERS - Short for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Another type of coronavirus, it is also known as camel flu.