Tracking the Avian Flu
Scientists say a flu virus that normally strikes chickens and other poultry could spread to humans and kill 50 million people across the globe. How likely is that nightmare scenario?
Where did this flu virus originate?
The virus, known as H5N1, was first detected in the chicken population in Hong Kong in 1997. Eighteen people who had handled chickens contracted the flu directly from the birds, developing high fevers, severe respiratory distress, and terrible muscle aches. Six of them died. Alarmed by the high mortality rate, health authorities ordered all 1.5 million chickens in the city to be slaughtered. That seemed to stop the virus
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
US, China agree to lower tariffs for 90 days
speed read US tariffs will fall to 30% from 145%, while China will cut its tax on US imports to 10% from 125%
-
Qatar luxury jet gift clouds Trump trip to Mideast
speed read Qatar is said to be presenting Trump with a $400 million plane, which would be among the biggest foreign gifts ever received by the US government
-
Does ketchup belong on a hot dog and more May 12 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Monday's cartoons feature Pope Leo XIV, Newark airport, and Donald Trump's meme coin