The disease that concerned Dr. Dowell was avian influenza, or bird flu. This virus usually strikes poultry, like chickens, ducks
, and turkeys. It's rare for bird flu to make people sick. In fact, by 2003, only about 40 people had died from bird flu in the whole world. And all of them had gotten it from handling sick birds or breathing in their secretions, like saliva. In some places in Thailand, chickens run freely through homes. Some are even kept as pets. In those conditions, there's always a danger of a bird flu outbreak. —When Birds Get Flu and Cows Go Mad!, John DiConsiglio What evidence will Dr. Dowell likely examine first to see if the girl died from bird flu? 1. how often the girl washed her hands
2. whether the girl lived with her mother
3. whether the girl lived near birds
4. how far the girl’s house was from a water source
Well the first two are things that are easily learned and would probably be the first things checked. The important factor that will determine what path the doctor will take is the third choice. If bird flu is a bird disease, then he likely should look for birds.
