Bird flu may kill 150m, warns U.N

[bemildred]

A global influenza pandemic could come at any time and claim anywhere between 5 million and 150 million lives, depending on steps the world takes now to control the bird flu in Asia, the United Nations said.

Additionally, the bird flu virus is likely to mutate into a strain that can be passed person to person, Dr. David Nabarro of the World Health Organization told reporters at a Thursday news conference at the United Nations in New York.

"We expect the next influenza pandemic to come at any time now, and it's likely to be caused by a mutant of the virus that is currently causing bird flu in Asia," Nabarro said in a report from The Associated Press.

Nabarro's comments came as governments and international organizations intensified efforts to combat the H5N1 strain of bird flu.

CNN

[OldLeftieLawyer]

1. Scientists have been saying this

for the past couple of years. No one seems to take it seriously. After all, it's not SARS, nothing you can use to distract from the US invading Iraq.

If it takes off, we're doomed. This is gonna be worse than the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic.

Time for Fuckface to take another trip to Texas, no?

[opihimoimoi]

3. Warnings fall off the dude like rain off the windsheild...He don read, he

don't listen, and he don't think.....

Woe unto us for we have a Leader of the DUFUS CLASS

[tatertop]

4. Only time will tell, about the serpent in the wishing well

That 1918 epidemic was really bad.
Like you, I fear this will be much worse.
I would not count on the vaccines in stock to be even one bit effective.
This could hit us totally unprepared.
Totally.

[NYC]

9. Other countries have ordered Tamiflu,

but the U.S. seems to be last on the list. (Probably the last country thinking to order it.) Source: 1010 WINS Radio, this morning.

[tatertop]

12. I fear we are on our own

[NYC]

22. Yes. New Orleans was not an aberration.

This is the trend of the future. The government exists to rob us blind.

[CoffeeCat]

2. I'm really getting tired of these stories...

For the past year, I have kept track of most bird flu stories.

It's always the same article, "Bird Flu Could Kill Us ALL!!!".

Ok, fine. We're all gonna die.

Or maybe not.

If it truly is this dire--then why in the hell isn't this administration doing more than just lip service???????

If this really is a potential devastating pandemic--then why in the hell aren't we all being briefed and given instructions about ways of saving our lives?

I'm so sick of this!

I've done some reading on my own. I understand that having Tamiflu on hand is essential. You start getting symptoms and Tamiflu can help to manage the symptoms and lessen the severity of the flu, possibly staving off death.

Why isn't more being said?

I'm growing exhausted of these stories, which yell 'fire in a crowded theater" and say little else.

Where in the hell is this administration on this...and what are they doing to protect us?

[tatertop]

5. I fear it is not a matter of if but when

And I would not bet my life on tamiflu.
Bush seems to not give one shit about this.
I fear we may be on our own when this hits.

[CoffeeCat]

8. I agree with you...

PBS did a special on Bird Flu, last week.

There are plenty of reputable scientists and medical experts who agree that a pandemic is almost certain. When "Nature", "Scientific American" and other reputable medical journals all report that Bird Flu is likely--everyone should be at least doing the minimum to protect themselves.

Especially after Katrina...we all understand very well that in a BushCo world--the poor and the unprepared are royally screwed. BushCo counts on the poor and uneducated to suffer. He figures they deserve it, if they did not have access to the money, resources and medical experts who can help them.

I'm not leaving anything to chance. I'm getting Tamiflu and I have enough food to last us a year. I know Tamiflu isn't a cure. If you get Bird Flu, you will be ravaged--no doubt. However, it may help to curtail the horrendous symptoms just enough to save your life.

People really need to be preparing for a worst-case scenario.

[tatertop]

11. If this hits in force what a different world we will live in

I can't even imagine what it might be like

[CoffeeCat]

14. I know...it will be an unimaginable catastrophe from hell...

The Spanish Flu pandemic in the early 1900's was horrendous. However, that flu bug had a 2 percent mortality rate. Only 2 percent who caught the bug died.

However, Bird Flu kills 50 percent (50 percent!!!) of all humans who contract it.

It's so staggering to think of the global devastation. If this does become full blown--it's just beyond words to describe the chaos that would ensue.

[bunny planet]

13. How exactly does someone get Tamiflu?

Isn't it something you'd have to have a perscription for? Wouldn't it be something the administration has on hand in short supply and is hording? I would like to have some on hand for my family as well, since it seems we are on our own here whatever the disaster that strikes on this buffoon's watch.

[CoffeeCat]

15. About Tamiflu....

I called a pharmacy and asked the very questions you are asking here.

I was told that a prescription is required to get Tamiflu. I was also told that some doctors will freely give you a Tamiflu--to keep on hand in case you get the flu.

Some doctors won't do this--but it's good news that some will. You just have to find a doctor who will willing to do this for you.

Last week, I spoke with a friend of mine--who owns a pharmacy. I asked her about Tamiflu, and she said that doctors do allow patients to have it on hand--like cold medicine--so they can take it when symptoms appear.

If you do some Google searches on "Tamiflu" and "bird flu"--some interesting information pops up. You might be able to find some additional info that way. If I find other information--I'll post here, too.

[bunny planet]

17. Thank you. In the meantime I'll keep juicing and taking my mega vitamins

I'd like to think that my immune system is fairly strong, but this sounds like something that could compromise even healthy individuals.

[CoffeeCat]

18. Have you ever heard of Juice Plus?

You mentioned that you juice and take vitamins. That's great. Do you feel that it helps you to maintain good health?

Someone tried to sell me something called Juice Plus the other day.

Have you ever heard of it?

[bunny planet]

20. No never heard of it but I drink fresh carrot juice at least 3x's a week,

and take a multivitamin called Invite (developed by Dr. Andrew Weill, the nutritionist) and I haven't gotten sick in five years. I mean when everyone else in the household of five gets sick in the winter I am the only one who doesn't. I can only attribute it to the vitamins and juice. I used to get a very bad bronchial infection every year that would last for three months, with very bad coughing, had to be treated with asthma inhalers and antibiotics. Got tired of that, so started the vitamins and juicing after visiting a nutritionist. Seems to be working. Don't know if it will prevent bird flu from taking hold however, and am worried about my husband and kids. I've gotten the kids to drink the juice, but they don't like the vitamins. Have to bribe them or sneak them into the cookie dough or smoothies.

[are_we_united_yet]

6. Damn!

Just as I was getting used to Anthrax, dirty radiactive bombs and Arctic meltdowns.

:wtf:

[tatertop]

7. What will get us first?

It's all happening at once.
I think H5N1 is the odd man out.
Global warming is a sure thing.
A bigger war on the world is a sure thing.
Yes, we live in interesting times.

[are_we_united_yet]

16. Interesting indeed.

depressing as all hell as well

[kestrel91316]

10. I have studied enough virology, immunology, epidemiology, and

pathology at the university level to be afraid of H5N1. It is a matter of when, not if. We are NOT prepared.

Keep a box of surgical masks handy, and remember our best friends: soap and hot water.

[CoffeeCat]

19. Why surgical masks?

Will the masks protect people from getting H5N1?

In your opinion, do you think an outbreak is probable within months or a couple of years?

It's my understanding that Bird Flu has jumped from birds to humans, but not from human to human, yet. Is that correct?

Thanks for any information. I appreciate your expertise!

[kestrel91316]

21. Surgical masks are probably better at preventing someone from

giving flu to others, rather than protecting someone from infection, but every little bit helps.

They are seeing a few cases in family members where the only explanation was person-to-person spread. But so far I think it is dead-ending after two or three passages. If it gains the ability to survive more passages, then the SHTF.

I think the next couple of years will see some action from this bug.

Just remember, flu is no match for good hygiene like handwashing, disinfecting surfaces, and keeping one's hands away from one's face.