om the disease or were killed in order to try to control the outbreak. By March 2004, the outbreak was reported to be under control. Beginning in late June 2004, however, new deadly outbreaks of influenza H5N1 among poultry were reported by several countries in Asia (Avian Influenza). Now, H5N1 is endemic and very deadly in many areas in Asia in the poultry population. Another disturbing finding is the detection of H5N1 in dead migratory birds since wild waterfowl are the natural reservoir for Influenza A and are asymptomatic to the virus. Also, the virus has jumped many species such as ducks, tigers, and cats for the first time ever. In addition, the H5N1 virus from 2004 survives longer than the virus from 1997 (Avian influenza: assessing the pandemic threat). Changes in the ecology of the disease and the behavior of the H5N1 virus together has created an ample opportunity for a flu pandemic to occur in the near future.
             The distinguishing characteristic between the 2004 outbreak and the outbreaks of the past is that never before so many countries have been widely affected by avian influenza in poultry in its most deadly form. Also, influenza virus causing extremely high fatality in humans, especially in children and young adults, is
             ...