What happened to bird flu?
 

I've just returned from having my flu jab, and was sat thinking afterwards, whilst I had to wait the regulation ten minutes before you can leave, about bird flu.

Earlier this year we were regularly updated as we watched the spread of bird flu from the Far East, across Europe, and eventually saw dead swans in Scotland, and much media frenzy followed.

We were told it was going to be the biggest pandemic in recent history.

What happened to it?

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

It went into hibernation over summer.

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Not avian viruses, but new EEC members invading the UK from the east.:D

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

They took a look at our weather and scarpered elsewere. :D As for avian flu it will be back when its least expected.

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

the same thing thats happened to BSE !!!

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

not realy judging by all teh mad cows out at the weekends :D

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

And the over rampant bulls.

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

What about SARS, has that died out?

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

What happened to bird flu? Nothing. It's still out there.

What probably happpened to all the bird flu news is that the radio and TV folks found out that folks would prefer to listen to other stories, and bird flu was no longer a draw.

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

That's true Bill. All the hysterical monitering we had in the UK press earlier this year, as been replaced by the much more important news about Kate Moss's on/off wedding.

I did a quick internet search, because there hasn't been anything in the newspapers recently re:avian flu. This interesting story seems to suggest that genetic susceptability might be at play, and thus is harder for it to mutate to humans than first thought. Sadly that story really doesn't make headlines though.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L02289688.htm

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Well rindy BBC2 tonight is doing a prog' about it and it's supposed to be a new strain! (All together now, "Typical of our government investing in a new strain when we haven't even used the old one!").

BBC - BBC TWO - Horizon

In case you can't watch tonight, the above address leads to their 'watch now', so you can panic at your leisure.:s_spit:

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Chavs still around aint he? :D

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Thanks Less, I'll watch that.:)

Though if it's too frightening I may have to stop feeding the tits.:D

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Don't worry, according to tonight's programme we're all doomed, doomed I tell you!:D




About fifteen minutes of interesting fact, and an hour and a quarter of sensationalist reconstructions, and supposition presented as fact.

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Sounds like you autobiography :rolleyes: :D :p

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Unauthorised perhaps, the uncensored one isn't.;)

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Karma message-

'YE OK LOSER AND SHAKER'

Classy.;)

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Bird flu is bad if you happen to be a migrating goose or maybe a duck that copulates with an asian hen but no threat to humans.. by the way.. what happend to SARS? this was also supposed to wipe out 50% of mankind.

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

The experts on pandemics all said in the programme last night that this avian strain will mutate to a human strain, just as it did in 1918, when it killed millions. How they know 100% and gave that as fact, seemed rather sensationalist.

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Well if they say its gonna happen it must be true.. my god we really are doomed, thats it .. no more kentucky fried chicken, hot wings, or zingers.. will life as we know it ever be the same?( did they have chickens in 1918?)

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

They have been in the lab sniffing dodgy gear again. The scientist of today is too relient on computer models for my liking especially as there is no such thing as a Joe Average in any age group. Some who should be suseptble wont and some who shouldnt will. Personally its all down to how much money they can get for research. Nothing better than a good panic to get the money they want though not need.

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

It said it will only kill one in ten, mainly 20-35 year olds, though how they can give this as fact is a mystery.

This old git should be alright then.:)

See ya.:D

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

You reached 80 then or is that just the age you felt when you fell out of bed this morning? ;):p

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Thats nice Garinda.. "I'm alright jack" sort of attitude..but will you ever be able to look at a 20-35yr old duck in the eyes again?

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Nothing like a scare mongering programme to get the gullible public wondering.

It sounded more like a case of “we need more funds” than a genuine pandemic warning. Too full of ifs, buts, and maybes to make it a credible warning.

If 1 in 10 under 35’s might get a human strain of bird flu, that means that 9 out of 10 might not. I can live with those odds especially as I am outside the target range.

There is a crow staggering around my garden and I’ve just sneezed three times on the bounce and my nose is running.

What does that mean? Am I ………….. Gulp!

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Yes Rindy, you will probably shake it off easier than most!:p

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Now to get you all thinking would it be 20-35 in actual age years ie 1978-2006 = 28 years or your biological age of your body age 30 years biologically have the body of a 25 year old (this can also be 25 actual 30 biological)

If so how many of you though above the thresh hold age wise are biologically "in the zone" sadley I am. :(

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Well Rindy, I found this article in todays Daily Telegraph, I thought you might be interested:-

'War games' have exposed serious flaws in government plans for fighting a deadly influenza pandemic.

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Thanks Less.

Perhaps AW could get a team up, and we could take part in the next War Games instead of a meet.:D

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Well if we do can I play the part of the dying Swan? I think it's something that would suit my temperament.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected...9/ecflu400.jpg

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

The part's your's.

http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/misc/9511/swan_lake/swan.jpg

But do bear in mind that Her Majesty the Queen might want to inspect your ring each year.

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

it reached britain last week!!!

http://media.funny.co.uk/files/4026.jpg

sources believe it came from france!!


http://media.funny.co.uk/files/4027.jpg

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

The dog ate it!

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

wait they found a cure.....Attachment 7875:D

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Attachment 7877:rolleyes:

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Has there been an official anouncement to say we aint had bird flu in on our patch yet?

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

Patch?

Is that your budgie?:D

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

*breaking news*

in an effort to contain the outbreak of bird flu george bush has bombrd the canary islands

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

*LOL* the same thing that happened to the asian flu virus and what not

the prob is with the southasia population being so large and lackin alot of hygeine an outbreak is easily undertaken

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1811

How about that one?

Re: What happened to bird flu?
 

http://images.bottomlinesecrets.com/DHN/DHN_FINAL_B.gif

Thought I'd add this recent article for anyone interested!

Brian

Bird Flu News
Recent deaths from bird flu in Indonesia and the discovery of infected chickens in Japan last week have placed the bird flu scare back on the radar screen. While the World Health Organization says an increase in cases during the winter months is consistent with the pattern of the past three years, the continued spread of infected birds throughout Asia makes clear that the threat of a pandemic has not gone away. For the latest news about the bird flu threat, I consulted two renowned experts on infectious disease -- Georges C. Benjamin, MD, executive director of the American Public Health Association in Washington, DC, and William Schaffner, MD, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee.
HOW WORRIED SHOULD WE BE?
Dr. Schaffner told me that scientists have conducted extensive sampling of North American birds in recent months, and so far the results are very good. While the two swans in Michigan did test positive, he assured me that it is different from the bird flu strain in Asia and is not dangerous to humans.
Still, according to Dr. Benjamin, bird flu continues to be a significant threat to birds worldwide. In his opinion, it is possible and likely that outbreaks will occur in the North American continent in the next 12 months or so. Assuming the strain stays the same as we are seeing in Asia, this would be primarily an infection in birds that can spread to people who are in close contact with the birds. To date, there have been cases of rare, but unsustained, human to human transmission. The likelihood of a pandemic is still unclear but of great concern, observes Dr. Benjamin, because the virus mutates frequently and may change to a form more easily transmitted from person to person and become more virulent. So we are not out of harm's way.
WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME

While the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations are hard at work on developing an effective bird flu vaccine and stockpiling flu medicines, there are also steps that we as individuals can take to boost our individual immunity and prepare for a possible crisis. Our experts recommend...

• Stay on top of any medical conditions. If you have a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, work with your physician to get it under control, says Dr. Schaffner. It's also important to keep your weight appropriate to your height, since overweight people are more apt to develop flu complications such as pneumonia. And if you smoke, now's the time to quit. Smoking makes you more vulnerable to disease and would make it more difficult to fight it off.

• Devise a family plan. Keep the phone numbers and e-mail addresses of important contacts -- family members, friends, medical professionals -- close at hand, and think about who will take care of the kids or the grandparents if you get sick, advises Dr. Schaffner. He also recommends that people stockpile emergency rations, building up at least a two-week supply of nonperishable foods and water, although some experts recommend a two- to three-month supply. Should a pandemic strike, the safest thing to do will be to stay home and out of contact with others. It also will mean that stores may run out of stocked food items if others are staying home or getting sick. So, you'll need to be prepared. Other items you may want to have on hand include alcohol wipes, surgical masks, first aid supplies and prescription and nonprescription medications. Dr. Benjamin notes that information on how to prepare an emergency plan and supply kit are available from a variety of sources including the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org)... Homeland Security (ready.gov)... the Department of Health and Human Services (pandemicflu.gov/plan)... and likely your state or local health department.

• Never directly handle dead or dying birds. Contact your state's health department or other appropriate public agency if you come across a group or dead animals or birds, advises Dr. Benjamin.

• Wash your hands. We should all get into the habit of doing this every time we come home and after being in physical contact with others, especially around those who are sneezing and coughing, stresses Dr. Schaffner. This is the single best way to prevent the spread of disease-causing microbes of all kinds.

PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHEN YOU TRAVEL
Eating properly cooked and handled poultry in Southeast Asia should not put you at risk, says Dr. Schaffner. Trouble arises when you travel to rural areas and places that are exposed at close quarters to infected birds. Stay away from raw foods, and foods and animals in open air markets in affected countries, advises Dr. Benjamin. Visit www.who.int for a current list of affected countries. He notes that health alerts by public health authorities are good to follow, but good judgment and a healthy dose of caution are best. Hand washing, covering up your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze are always appropriate. To check on health and safety tips when traveling abroad, visit the Web site of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.