The Bird Flu

[Cdls]

I have been following this on the news for a couple weeks now and looks as it may be really serious. Its already affected some of asia and is now creeping into Europe. Its thought that if it mutates and passes from person to person, it could kill off around 150 million people worldwide. Its also had a death rate of 50% for the people infected by it through the birds.

[nitefyre]

Considering the status of the world today on a global level and mostly in congested cities, the potential of the bird flu or a similar epidemic, would be very potent.

Of course, I'm not following it day by day, I've just really overheard the reports of it. Nonetheless, any threat that takes on an unseeable form, is truly frightening.

[Cdls]

Yeah, from what they are reporting so far, its alot like the one that went around in 1918 I believe. That one killed 100 million people, but conditions were way different than they are now.

[Wolf]

Indeed, it has a lot in common with the Spanish Flu.
And today there was something on tv where they actually discovered that the two had even more in common than was first assumed, in that the two are biologically actually closer related then was thought at first.
But still... it does not worry me.
It's just one more thing in the world that can wipe us out.
Why worry...
If you don't get it, hey, you live another day.
If you do get it and die, hey, no more worries.
The wellbeing of people who are close to me is more of a concern than the agent which would be a threat, itself.

** Edit:
The 1918 one, that one has been making victims until 1957, though in lesser numbers...

[Cdls]

Thanks for the info on that Wolf, I wasnt too sure about the 1918 one, but have been hearing the similarities. Me myself could care less about living or dying, it happens no matter what...the thing that scares me is those that I care about getting it.

[Stan]

I'm worried about my kids.

[Cdls]

I think the people of the world that dont have access to the hospitals and things like that are the ones that will need to worry the most. They figured over 100-150 million dead from it if it was to mutate now. That figure probably figures in the lesser developed countries. I would be worried about overcrowded places too, like China or something. I hope that these fears go unfounded.

[Racetyme]

Clearly you don't understand the implication of this flu. If it is anything like the disease in 1918 it will be by far the worst disaster in human history. Not percentage wise, but in total deaths. I'm not saying we should be flipping out, but this is not something to ignore. If there is bird flu in your city, don't go to work, don't go to the store, don't go outside. Just let it pass, it's not worth your life.

[Cdls]

I am very aware as to how serious this is. I have been following it since it started making news. Im not making it out to be nothing, but simply hoping that it doesnt become the virus they are all worried about.

[Stan]

Also, keep in mind...many those that died in 1918, died of secondary infections which could have been treated with antibiotics. That might put your mind at ease a bit.

[Savanik]

Guys, guys... Asia is huge. Billions of people live there. This flu has gone clear across Asia in the past few months and infected only 117 people. True, out of those, 60 have died - but what this says to me is that your immune system has to be seriously compromised even to get it in the first place. Further, I highly doubt that the 60 who died had very good access to medical care.

Officials always worry about the thought of a virus mutating into an airborne strain. They worried about it with Ebola - didn't happen there. They worried about it with HIV - same story. Virii do not readily mutate into airborne strains at the drop of a hat, despite what Hollywood may claim.

This is not something to be worked up into a fear frenzy over. Not leaving the house? Not leaving the store? Relax already! Bird flu is not a threat to humans as it is, and if it becomes such, the news media will quickly inform us.

Sav

[Racetyme]

I'm not being an alarmist, I'm saying that if people start dropping dead in your city, wait it out. I'm not saying go be a hermit in the mountains.

[Pie]

The first time i saw this on the news.. i didn't here "Bird flu", I just saw a lot of chikens being carryd away.. and they said that A "Flu" Had made it to turky.. so i thought....

THERS A CHIKEN FLU IN TERKY!!!

As for me.. ime not really that worryd. I mean... If i cook my chiken lond enough... it wond get in that way.. and the Federal Department of ... Well... they stoped the mad cow vires in america.. you know... THEM... Will probably stop most cases from getting into america.. and i have medicade, so all needed medicen should be paid for.

[Cdls]

Guys, guys... Asia is huge. Billions of people live there. This flu has gone clear across Asia in the past few months and infected only 117 people. True, out of those, 60 have died - but what this says to me is that your immune system has to be seriously compromised even to get it in the first place. Further, I highly doubt that the 60 who died had very good access to medical care.

Sav

The news already stated that it doesnt transmit to humans easily in this form which is why not many people have gotten sick. Once mutated is when it will become more dangerous.

As for me.. ime not really that worryd. I mean... If i cook my chiken lond enough... it wond get in that way.

Pie

Hate to tell you otherwise, but just by cooking the chicken thats got it, you are exposing yourself.

[Racetyme]

Do you know anything? All medicine will be paid for? That's like saying getting Ebola isn't a big deal. There is no medicine.