GreekChat.com Forums  

Go Back   GreekChat.com Forums > GLO Specific Forums > Alpha > Alpha Kappa Alpha
Register FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search

» GC Stats
Members: 329,725
Threads: 115,665
Posts: 2,204,966
Welcome to our newest member, vitoriafranceso
» Online Users: 1,554
0 members and 1,554 guests
No Members online
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-16-2005, 08:12 AM
Tickled Pink 2 Tickled Pink 2 is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Insomnia
Posts: 979
Post H5N1: Avian Flu

After the Presidential address last night, ABC did a special on if 3 major disasters hit - would Americans be prepared to handle them. One of them was a major earthquake. The 1st was avian flu. I didn't get the 3rd - after the 1st one, I had to stop listening and changed - it scared the mess out of me.

They said if it hits, it could hit as early as this winter. They predicted 200,000 Americans could die from it (I think the press' new job is to scare the mess out of everyone). They also said Britain was looking for additional morgue space.

Did anyone else see this? I was trying to gather if this is just speculation, or if they really think this would hit. Tamiflu seems to be an effective treatment (not cure - there is vaccine yet and wouldn't be until approx 6 mos after an outbreak), but Roche is the only company that makes it, and every country wants it. Here's an article:

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...o_050915223654

WHO chief issues new warning on avian flu

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - World Health Organisation (WHO) boss Lee Jong-wook issued a new warning about avian flu, reiterating that the virus, which has triggered a major health scare in Southeast Asia, could mutate into a major killer.

At present, the H5N1 strain of bird flu, harboured by wild migrating birds and poultry flocks, is lethal for humans but is not very contagious, nor can it be easily transmitted from person to person.

"The existing H5N1 hasn't yet acquired its ability to transmit among the humans but when it acquires this ability -- and there is some evidence that this will be the case -- I hope this will be simply less toxic than the existing H5N1, which has killed half the people infected," Lee told reporters.

The WHO's director general spoke at the fringes of a UN Summit where US President George W. Bush launched what he called an "international partnership" aimed at preventing avian flu and other new strains from becoming the first new pandemic of the 21st century.

The WHO's biggest fear is that H5N1 may mutate, acquiring genes from the human influenza virus that will make it highly infectious as well as lethal.

Pressed on whether the stage had come to prepare for a mutated H5N1 virus, Lee said "the biggest fear (is) that it will acquire this capacity but ... the issue is timing."

"We cannot afford to face the pandemic unprepared," Lee said after announcing that the WHO would join the US-led initiative, which is focussed on sharing samples of the virus among lab researchers.

The WHO last month said current production of anti-viral vaccines was insufficient to deal with a catastrophic flu epidemic like the one that struck in 1918 and killed some 40 million people around the world.

WHO already has a stockpile of medicine that could be used during a pandemic, Lee said.

The UN agency had access to 30 million doses of an antiviral drug called tamiflu, he said.

"The 30 million capsules are reserved by a company. When we tell them to ship to certain countries, they will airlift it to the nearest airports, from where we will be responsible for this," he said.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-18-2005, 04:11 PM
Honeykiss1974 Honeykiss1974 is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Atlanta y'all!
Posts: 5,894
I heard about his. Small possibility of getting it - yes, but you never know nowawdays.

Given the fact that we're short on treatment should an outbreak happen and that since its a virus, you really con't do anything outside of normal flu prevention tips, all you can do it pray that you don't get it and make sure you're right with God (in case you do).
__________________
"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone."
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-18-2005, 04:33 PM
Confucius Confucius is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Miami
Posts: 481
Yep...

Yes, this is not a game and it is very serious.

Hopefully, by the grace of god it will not be as bad as predicted.
__________________
"... We're smart, We're cute, We're Fabulous......Heck...even boys want to be like us....."
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-19-2005, 03:51 PM
AKA_Monet AKA_Monet is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Beyond
Posts: 5,092
I have heard from the NIH Division Director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Allergy. He presented a standing room only lecture at my work.

Yes, Avian Flu is coming. How mutated, no one knows. The issue is how is it going to get into the bird population and how will humans be affected by it in the US...

It is because of close proximity of birding facilities--such as chickens in China and the Chinese government cover-up of actual infections that cause this particular virus to go un-noticed by the WHO. It wasn't just SARS, it was this one, too. And from what I understand, Avian flu occured in a rural province in China, where folks have to drive 1000's of miles to see a doctor--nonetheless "adequate" healthcare that would occur in major cities, such as Shanghai, Beijing and elsewhere--the word "adequate" is used loosely, here.

The virus has mutated into a "human form" and will mutate into a transmissible form if not already.

From what I understand, it will be having the flu. Mostly older, babies and immunocompromised persons will be affected. If you have been around alot of live birds, then you should let your healthcare provider know that. The birds will be euthanized immediately.

So, basically, although Roche has a vaccine does not mean it will protect one from getting the flu, especially if it mutates...

Watch out your interaction with numerous birds--meaning, do not sleep in the chicken coup unprotected...
__________________
We thank and pledge Alpha Kappa Alpha to remember...
"I'm watching with a new service that translates 'stupid-to-English'" ~ @Shoq of ShoqValue.com 1 of my Tweeple

"Yo soy una mujer negra" ~Zoe Saldana
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-19-2005, 08:18 PM
Tickled Pink 2 Tickled Pink 2 is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Insomnia
Posts: 979
Quote:
Originally posted by AKA_Monet

From what I understand, it will be having the flu. Mostly older, babies and immunocompromised persons will be affected. If you have been around alot of live birds, then you should let your healthcare provider know that. The birds will be euthanized immediately.

So, basically, although Roche has a vaccine does not mean it will protect one from getting the flu, especially if it mutates...

Watch out your interaction with numerous birds--meaning, do not sleep in the chicken coup unprotected...
I heard that on the special also. The first few days will seem like the normal flu. I saw my typo - Roche is making Tamiflu. There isn't a vaccine and won't be one until 6 mos after the outbreak. 6 mos. *SMH*

I'm already a slight germaphobe. Prayer, Prayer, Prayer. I guess I'll go stock up on echinacea and Vitamin C (get the immune system boosted up), and antibacterial handgel for the kids. And think I'm stank now - don't even ask to hold my baby. The answer will be an ultra resounding no.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-09-2005, 07:54 PM
Tickled Pink 2 Tickled Pink 2 is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Insomnia
Posts: 979
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051009/...e/flu_pandemic


Feds Prepare for Super-Flu Disaster

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer
Sun Oct 9, 3:54 AM ET



WASHINGTON - A super-flu could kill up to 1.9 million Americans, according to a draft of the government's plan to fight a worldwide epidemic. Officials are rewriting that plan to designate not just who cares for the sick but who will keep the country running amid the chaos, said an influenza specialist who is advising the government on those decisions.

ADVERTISEMENT

"How do you provide food, water ... basic security for the population?" asked Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota, a government adviser who has a copy of the draft plan and described it for The Associated Press.

"This is a much more comprehensive view than has previously been detailed," he said in an interview Saturday.

The Bush administration has spent the last year updating its plan for how to fight the next flu pandemic. While it is impossible to say when one will strike, the fear is that the bird flu in Asia could trigger one if it mutates to start spreading easily among people.

A recent draft of the plan, first reported Saturday by The New York Times, models what might happen based on the last century's three pandemics.

In a best-case scenario, about 200,000 people might die...

Also:

Tests: Indonesian boy has bird flu

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapc...ion=cnn_latest


Turkey Reports First Cases of Bird Flu

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051009/...urkey_bird_flu
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-09-2005, 09:25 PM
Dionysus Dionysus is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Trying to stay away form that APOrgy! :eek:
Posts: 8,071
There seems to be a lot of natural disasters happening lately. I know the bird flu isn't a natural disaster - but still....
__________________
GreekChat.com - The Fraternity & Sorority Greek Chat Network

^^^

Can't you tell I'm a procrastinator?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-09-2005, 10:27 PM
Tickled Pink 2 Tickled Pink 2 is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Insomnia
Posts: 979
Quote:
Originally posted by Dionysus
There seems to be a lot of natural disasters happening lately. I know the bird flu isn't a natural disaster - but still....
Some speculate global warming as the cause. I tend to lean that way too. Look at the most recent earthquake and not to mention, we're about to run out of names for hurricanes (because there has been so many this season) and may have to start using the greek alphabet.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-13-2005, 08:56 AM
WCUgirl WCUgirl is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,321
Okay, this is really starting to freak me out. Was it last year (or the year before) when flu vaccines were on short supply, and they were asking people to refrain from getting them if they didn't need to? This is a hot topic that almost seems certain to cause another run on the flu vaccine.

I think I read in another article that our current flu vaccine doesn't include this strain...and that stockpiles of Tamiflu (which seem to be most effective in treating bird flu) are already starting to run low!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:37 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.