Stagirit
[know-it-all]
This code for the flu virus simply refers to the possible configuration of two proteins on the virus’s envelope. Each of these can take on five different forms. So, from H1N1 – which was the virus responsible for the Spanish flu and is used as the basis for the classification – up to H5N5.
H7N9 is not included in this variant of influenza pathogens, as it is of no significance to humans.
The pathogen currently under discussion, designated H5N1, is merely one configuration which is assumed to be characterised by particularly high virulence. However, this only describes the probability of infection; at 4–5%, the case fatality rate is no higher than for any other form of flu.
However, if one assumes a transmission rate of around 50% in the population, the number of fatalities logically increases as well.
Influenza must not be confused here with a common cold.
In the case of the well-known H1N1 pathogen from 1918, the high death toll is primarily attributable to the circumstances. Most deaths occurred in areas with poor hygiene conditions: in barracks, trenches and rural areas. Moreover, most victims died from secondary bacterial infections.
In this respect, the scaremongering in the media should not be taken seriously.
[/know-it-all]
