Beijing Poultry Markets Shut on Bird Flu Fears

www.foxnews.com ^ | Monday, November 07, 2005

[Esther Ruth]

Beijing Poultry Markets Shut on Bird Flu Fears

Monday, November 07, 2005

BEIJING — Authorities ordered all live poultry markets in China's capital to close immediately and went door-to-door seizing chickens and ducks from private homes, as the government dramatically beefed up its fight against bird flu (search) on Monday.

Beijing also announced that 6 million birds had been slaughtered around the site of China's most recent bird flu outbreak, and the World Health Organization (search) said it had been asked to help in the reopened investigation of the country's possible first human cases of the virus.

The escalation of anti-bird flu measures in the world's most populous country came as a meeting of hundreds of international experts in Geneva opened with warnings that a global human flu pandemic is inevitable and could cost the global economy at least $800 billion.

"It is only a matter of time before an avian flu virus ... acquires the ability to be transmitted from human to human, sparking the outbreak of human pandemic influenza," WHO director general Lee Jong-wook told the gathering.

Experts fear the bird flu virus that is sweeping through Asia and has entered Europe could mutate into a form that is easily passed between humans, producing a pandemic that could kill millions.

[Esther Ruth]

"Authorities closed all of Beijing's 168 live poultry markets as a precaution against the possible spread of the virus in the city, state television reported."

"In Shanghai (search), China's largest city, sales of live ducks, quail and other birds have been banned, officials said."

"At the Geneva meeting, the World Bank's lead economist for the East Asia and the Pacific, Milan Brahmbhatt, warned that "panic and disruption" caused by a global human flu pandemic could cause world gross domestic product to drop by 2 percent or more — amounting to about $800 billion over one year."

[Brilliant]

I'm buying stock in Smithfield Foods (SFD), which makes Smithfield Hams.

[twntaipan]

Somehow I don't have much faith in the PRC's efforts. After all, they are the country that gave the world SARS.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Is there really such a thing as a Chinese chicken? I had General Tso's chicken the other night ... it looked more like Corporal Chin's cat.

[Esther Ruth]

"BEIJING — Authorities ordered all live poultry markets in China's capital to close immediately and went DOOR TO DOOR SEIZING chickens and ducks from private homes, as the government dramatically BEEFED up its fight against bird flu (search) on Monday!!"

You -You pay $5.95 for boo-fey, you - you seet over der, ya, and you eat no chicken, no chicken, ow-ny beef! Chop chop now, you have money? General Tso Beef only!

[sandbar]

I could end up eating my words, but I just have a gut feeling that they are making a waaaay bigger deal out of this then need be. Chicken little attitude (pun intended) is going to make people not care when something really bad DOES happen.

[Esther Ruth]

I can't make up my mind if certain someones are just making quite a bit of hay of this (for some reason) or if something IS up. Something strange about it all.

[Revolting cat!]

Damn, I was just gonna drive over, get me a bird for dinner! Now what?

[steve86]

I would think that ~50% mortality (among infected humans) is REALLY BAD. In all fairness, the mortality will probably go down once a true human-to-human variant emerges, but the trade-off is that it will be far more communicable.

[sandbar]

>>>I can't make up my mind if certain someones are just making quite a bit of hay of this (for some reason) or if something IS up. Something strange about it all.>>>

That's exactly how I feel. Something strange about it. Part of me fears this, other parts of me thinks it's a bunch of hooey. I guess I take for granted our world of medicine and where once the flu was feared as a possible death, nowadays we shrug it off. Maybe this flu is worse than the others. I don't know because the ones who has died are in poor, thirld world countries. Did they die because the flu is that powerful or because they were malnourished, didn't have proper health, filthy environment? Or all of the above.

[sandbar]

>>>I would think that ~50% mortality (among infected humans) is REALLY BAD. In all fairness, the mortality will probably go down once a true human-to-human variant emerges, but the trade-off is that it will be far more communicable.>>

Yes, but look at the location and circumstance of those who did die. Were they malnourished? Filthy environment? Poor health system? All of the above?

[steve86]

Actually, during severe flu pandemics, the younger and healthier are hit the hardest. This is because a strong immune system can work against you (destroying lung tissue in an exaggerated response). In the case of an actual avian influenza, like now, yes those who come into contact with bird droppings in unsanitary circumstances are at risk. But once the strain becomes capable of human-to-human transmission, that is no longer a factor. On the subject of better health care, we are all aware of the shortage of anti-viral drugs and ventilators in hospitals. If too many people get sick, we might as well be in the dark ages.

[Judith Anne]

bump

[OB1kNOb]

Well, at least they still have cats, dogs, and rats to eat.

[txhurl]

bummer bump

[steve86]

Welcome back! Again!

[OB1kNOb]

I was just gonna drive over, get me a bird for dinner! Now what?

"No chicken! I fix you rattails!"