Climate change and H5N1 - Essay Example

An analysis of global climate change as a risk factor related to H5N1 Avian influenza virus, H5NI has been analyzed over the years since its first outbreak. A lot of negligence has been however, towards the effect of climate as a risk factor of the spread of this condition. The climate change over the world has been analyzed towards the effects it has on alleviating the condition. The mode of transmission of this virus is analyzed and predisposing factors of its continued spread. The virus has been found to thrive in cold conditions for a period of even a month.

The outbreak is deadly within 48 hours of transmission hence studies towards its wide spread have been analyzed.IntroductionThis subtype virus was first discovered in 1960 in china. It was then discovered in Hong Kong as a direct transmission of the virus from birds to humans. Recent studies show that the wide spread statistics of the virus is reported over 60 countries in the world. Scientists have been on the look out to analyze whether the global climate change has any risk factors towards the widespread viral situation (Joan,138).

Objectives:Assess the causes and mode of transmission of the diseaseAnalyze studies that have been carried outOutline the outcome of these findingsApproachDifferent studies have been reported towards the virus highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses H5N1. Through understanding the causes of the condition mode of spread, findings can be concluded towards the effects of climate change as a risk factor. A number of studies will be analyzed here. Different years will be analyzed also. Data for the different continent spread is analyzed here through the periods when the global climatic effects were felt.

Results The disease influenza is caused by transmission of the virus from birds to humans. The predisposing risk factor is coming into contact with the virus. Research was done over the different continents from January 2004 to December 2009. Throughout this period, the epidemic waves are assessed.Outbreak analysis from 2004 to 2009Continent/ Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 TotalAfrica 0 0 157 279 121 45 602Asia 4136 228 338 228 352 86 5368Europe 0 33 84 45 3 0 165Total 4136 261 579 552 476 131 6135Global warming that has enhanced the mosquito transmitting the virus to thrive in different continents.

These have been felt largely in the northern America as well as Europe. The excessive heat during the early summer period has seen a huge outbreak of the disease. The mosquito transmits the bird in turn it enters the human systems.Findings on the global climate change from Jan 2004- Dec. 2009 and the spread of the virusThe virus has been analyzed and seen to survive more effectively during the cold weather. This in turn leads to its wide spread during the winter and early summer. The global change in climate has cause a different trend in the movement of birds that carry the virus from Asia to other parts of the world.

Their movement entails a longer stay in one place, lack of ordinary migration movement in time assessment, the length before stopping etc. these are all effects of global change on habitats leading to migration changes (David, 18).ConclusionGlobal climate change is a risk factor towards the spread of H5NI. This is seen in seasonality outbreak, breeding partners of the mosquito that carries the virus and the changes in migration schedule of wild birds that cause the flu to humans.Works citedDavid Held, The Governance of Climate Change, polity press, London 2011Joan Callahan, Emerging biological threats: a reference guide, ABC-CLIO, Arizona, 2010