At present it is extremely difficult for a human to catch bird flu...

Proof that the H5N1 bird flu virus is being taken very seriously was observed recently after two scientists were exposed it accidentally. It appears that special lab protection suit that one of them had been wearing was defective and that the birdflu virus could have been inhaled by the researcher. It was felt prudent to keep both the researchers in quarantine and under observation until they were given the all clear.

What in fact happened was that one of the protection suits had one if its all important air filters missing that meant that the person was completely exposed. The accident happened at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, Australia and involved the handling of a number of deliberately infected ducks that were being researched and monitored.

What in fact happened was that one of the protection suits had one if its all important air filters missing that meant that the person was completely exposed. The accident happened at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, Australia and involved the handling of a number of deliberately infected ducks that were being researched and monitored.

The likelihood of them actually being infected is very slight but due to the dangers of bird flu it was considered prudent for them to have blood tests and anti viral medication. The were probably given Tamiflu but the news reports have not conformed this at present. The blood test showed that they were not infected but the will be monitored for a week or so to be doubly sure before going back to work. The information of the possible infection was not released to the public until the researchers were given the all clear as it was thought that other people might panic.

At present it is extremely difficult for a human to catch bird flu from an infected bird but it is technically possible as the almost 300 cases of infection in the Far East can show. In most cases people get the bird flu when they actually live in very close contact with poultry as is seen in substandard housing in poor countries like Vietnam and Indonesia.