Bird flu among humans more prevalent but less deadly: Study

(PHOTO: In 2007 a bird flu virus was traced to chickens on a small farm near Corwen, North Wales/DailyMail) More people may have been infected by the virus that causes bird flu or avian flu, AKA H5N1, than previously thought, & the number of deaths from infection may also have been "overestimated," conclude New York scientists in a study published in the journal Science. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has documented fewer than 600 cases of H5N1 flu A infection & the WHO's stringent criteria for confirming bird flu in humans is often based on whether the symptoms are severe enough for hospitalisation or death. The research suggests, the fatality rate of 50 to 90% is probably "overestimated" & is based on 12,500 participants in 20 studies worldwide. Data includes people who work in poultry & those who don't. According to WHO figures 2003-2011, H5N1 strain has infected 573 & killed 336, notably in Indonesia (hit hardest as recently as January 2012), Egypt, China, and Cambodia.  (Read more at the Malaysia Star)