Talk on avian flu draws crowd

By: Justin Door

Posted: 1/31/06

On January 24, Embry-Riddle's Honors Program was proud to sponsor Dr. Edward Belongia and his presentation on influenza. A renowned epidemiologist, Dr. Belongia is currently director of the Epidemiology Research Center at the Marsh-field Clinic in Wisconsin, a leading medical research institute and clinic.

During his talk, Dr. Belongia first explained the history of some of the influenza epidemics in the past, especially the Spanish flu in 1917 and 1918. He explained that many characteristics, upon retrospect, seem to point to the great flu epidemic of the 1910's may be related to the avian flu in Asia and Europe today.

He also explained exactly why the avian flu could be so potentially dangerous. While it currently cannot be transmitted between humans, its extremely high mortality rate in reported cases makes it extremely hazardous if the virus does further mutate. Also, he taught about the virus itself, and how it can mutate very quickly from year to year. For example, the influenza virus can infect almost every type of mammal. If within one type of mammal two different influenza viruses come into contact with one another, they may shuffle around their RNA with one another. That is, they will mutate by swapping genetic material. If they happen to swap material in the right way, they then could become very dangerous and immune to the vaccines available.

This being the main fear of the avian flu, he went on to explain how current medical discoveries and treatments may be used to treat the flu, such as Tamiflu and flu vaccines. He also explained how these treatments are created, and how the world's medical system cannot currently handle a flu epidemic due to lack of treatments available and poor infrastructure in those parts of the world that would stand to lose much from this epidemic, such as Africa.

A well spoken doctor with important information to share about the avian flu and threat of influenza, Embry-Riddle is proud to have hosted Dr. Edward Belongia.