Why all the world-wide fuss about avian flu and none about rift-valley fever, yet both are viral?

There was a world-wide scare when avian flu broke out in Asia last year. In Kenya, where I reside, there has been a recent outbreak of Rift-valley fever, which has killed almost 150 people in less than four months. This is more than Avian flu has killed so far. While avian flu affects mostly birds, Rift valley fever affects animals like cows, goats etc.. Both are viral, and both at times infect humans. In either case, human fatalities on infection is not a must. Why isn't there a similar concern with Rift valley fever as there was with avian flu? Is one less virulent, or less dangerous than the other? What makes avian flu more dangerous?

Avian flu is a type of influenza virus whereas Rift valley is not. Rift valley is spread mostly by mosquitoes, as are many other diseases, and prevention takes the form of wearing repellant, light clothes, modifying outdoor behavior, etc.

Avian flu is transmitted by affected birds, and the only clues of its presence in birds is when the birds get sick and quickly die thereafter. By the time an outbreak among birds is noticed, there is a good chance that it has spread to humans.

The fatality rate for RVT is 1 percent, whereas for H5N1, 64 percent of those infected died last year.

FATALITY RATE, and TRANSMISSION is the reason why bird flu is so much more serious than Rift Valley fever.

Birds can fly to other parts of the world and spread the flu.

China gets more press than Africa for one. Also this viral disease if it does infects mammals the CDC might allready be aware of it and our animals are innoculated against it like many other diseases that 3rd world countries get its all about prevention. I just wish we could eradicate mosquitoes they cause more problems than they are worth!

Check out the Hanta virus.

Information on Rift Valley Fever:
http://histopathology-india.net/rift_val...

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) : http://www.histopathology-india.net/Avia...