Looming pandemic which could kill 10s of millions causing sleepless nights

cnews.canoe.ca ^ | November 20, 2004 | HELEN BRANSWELL

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Wonder how it spreads from China to the USA?

[stevem]

I think you have a slightly better chance of being killed by a falling meteor.

[Savage Beast]

The suffering caused by influenza is nothing compared to the horrors of PEST!

[EggsAckley]

Hmmm....this year's predicted flu epidemic seems to have not materialized, so lets invent an even worse one.

I'm glad these idiots are losing sleep...they deserve to.

[Ginifer]

Here you go: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Thanks. The article said "...Know How the Flu Spreads The flu spreads in respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. It usually spreads from person to person, though occasionally a person may become infected by touching something with virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Adults may be able to infect others 1 day before getting symptoms and up to 7 days after getting sick. So it is possible to give someone the flu before you know you’re sick as well as while you are sick..."

It seems really strange as China and S.E. Asia are so far away and the article seems to imply close contact is necessary?????

[AntiGuv]

The idea that there won't be another flu pandemic is rather idiotic. In fact, I believe we're slightly overdue (about a decade or so). The question is whether it's idiocy to worry about it, and since worrying about these things happens to be their job I would have to say no.

[CTOCS]

Commercial air travel will send this thing around the world in less than a week.....

[backhoe]

-Strange new disease outbreaks--

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

The flu spreads in respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. It usually spreads from person to person, though occasionally a person may become infected by touching something with virus on it

With this in mind...I have, for quite some time, kept a small fan running at my desk to create a small airflow away from myself to persuade airborne particulate matter to go elsewhere. Additionally, I keep a small squirt bottle of gelled, scented isopropyl hand rub and use it several times per day. As such, I have not had any cold or flu symptoms for at least the past 5 years.

Of course, it could simply be due to the fact that I am a superior human being endowed with an iron constitution and immune system that is the product of an accelerated eugenics program of which my parents were willing subjects.

Hmmm. I think I'll keep the fan and alcohol handy just the same.

[basil]

One small thing that helps keep the flu from spreading is hand washing. Make a habit of washing your hands really well every time you have the opportunity, and you will cut your chances of becoming infected. A 15 second scrub, followed with a rinse from the wrists down should flush the virus away.

The second simple thing people can do to halt the spread is to keep their hands away from their faces. Don't rub your eyes, scratch your nose, etc. The only way the flu virus enters the body is through the openings on the face.

[kittymyrib]

Wonder how the government will explain it when fewer people get the flu this year and fewer people die from it? If people would just stay home when they are sick, and wash their hands after using phones and computers etc. it would decrease the incidents of all communicable diseases.

[Phsstpok]

doing a little Google news search on H5N1, I think I found the reason for the doom and gloom in this particular article:

ID Biomedical exec believes Canada will fund development of H5N1...
Canada.com, Canada - Nov 15, 2004

... vaccine manufacturer says he believes the federal government will fund development and testing of a candidate vaccine for the avian flu strain known as H5N1. ...

[7.62 x 51mm]

Uh-oh; we're gonna get screwed unless we close the borders.

[wildbill]

Bush's fault.

Anyone see any positive signs (flu shots being developed, etc.) at all.

Or is this simply an "We are doomed' scenario to attract readers.

[Old_Mil]

>Wonder how it spreads from China to the USA?

Airplanes laddie. All those 747s, 777s, and Airbuses full of free traders going back and forth bring home a gift that keeps on giving.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

I guess then it is better to have commercial air travel during a flu season.

[Little Bill]

I haven't had the flu since I stopped getting shots, last time I had a shot I got, the flu, pneumonia, and almost died, at least it felt like it. Come ye winds and Hurricanoes...(Lear.)

[xjcsa]

Heard of airplanes? :-)