World has slim chance to stop flu pandemic

[Keith]

World has slim chance to stop flu pandemic

Sep 20 1:48 AM US/Eastern

By Michael Perry

NOUMEA, New Caledonia (Reuters) - The initial outbreak of what could explode into a bird flu pandemic may affect only a few people, but the world will have just weeks to contain the deadly virus before it spreads and kills millions.

Chances of containment are limited because the potentially catastrophic infection may not be detected until it has already spread to several countries, like the SARS virus in 2003. Avian flu vaccines developed in advance will have little impact on the pandemic virus.

It will take scientists four to six months to develop a vaccine that protects against the pandemic virus, by which time thousands could have died. There is little likelihood a vaccine will even reach the country where the pandemic starts.

That is the scenario outlined on Tuesday by Dr Hitoshi Oshitani, the man who was on the frontline in the battle against SARS and now leads the fight against avian flu in Asia.

For full article, click below...

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/09/20/M..._SCH016489.html

[Joy in the Journey]

World has slim chance to stop flu pandemic

Sep 20 1:48 AM US/Eastern

 

By Michael Perry

NOUMEA, New Caledonia (Reuters) - The initial outbreak of what could explode into a bird flu pandemic may affect only a few people, but the world will have just weeks to contain the deadly virus before it spreads and kills millions.

Chances of containment are limited because the potentially catastrophic infection may not be detected until it has already spread to several countries, like the SARS virus in 2003. Avian flu vaccines developed in advance will have little impact on the pandemic virus.

It will take scientists four to six months to develop a vaccine that protects against the pandemic virus, by which time thousands could have died. There is little likelihood a vaccine will even reach the country where the pandemic starts.

That is the scenario outlined on Tuesday by Dr Hitoshi Oshitani, the man who was on the frontline in the battle against SARS and now leads the fight against avian flu in Asia.

For full article, click below...

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/09/20/M..._SCH016489.html

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why does the media try to scare the public like this ? I'm not coming down on you Keith for posting this- you're just printing a story already written...but really- if there's nothing that can be done to prevent said pandemic ? Why scare everyone

And for what it's worth, I don't think we're gonna be impacted by this at all- this is just another "media scare"

Tim

[Keith]

I'm not a doctor or a scientist, so I can't speak as to the severity of the spreading of this disease, but I have read a lot of online articles about it. Apparently the issue is being taken seriously by many countries leaders, including the U.S., as they have been discussing it.

The headline may be a bit radical, but it's a real disease with real potential to spread widely. Even if the vaccine is created in time, there are problems with limitations in creating enough of it. Poorer nations would most likely go without it.

I don't think it's a "media scare", per se. Perhaps just a very enthusiastic journalist. Maybe he feels strongly about the topic and is just trying to get the word out so people are more aware?

I just think it will be interesting to watch the progression, or hopefully digression, of the disease. If nobody is interested, which seems to be the case due to the lack of responses to other articles I've posted about it, I won't post about it anymore. I was just going by a poll I created here some time ago to gauge what people were interested in reading more about. Health issues was a choice and some people said they were interested.

[Gerioke]

I'm not a doctor or a scientist, so I can't speak as to the severity of the spreading of this disease, but I have read a lot of online articles about it.  Apparently the issue is being taken seriously by many countries leaders, including the U.S., as they have been discussing it. 

The headline may be a bit radical, but it's a real disease with real potential to spread widely.  Even if the vaccine is created in time, there are problems with limitations in creating enough of it.  Poorer nations would most likely go without it.

I don't think it's a "media scare", per se.  Perhaps just a very enthusiastic journalist.  Maybe he feels strongly about the topic and is just trying to get the word out so people are more aware?

I just think it will be interesting to watch the progression, or hopefully digression, of the disease.  If nobody is interested, which seems to be the case due to the lack of responses to other articles I've posted about it, I won't post about it anymore.  I was just going by a poll I created here some time ago to gauge what people were interested in reading more about.  Health issues was a choice and some people said they were interested. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You're doing a fine job You leave me speachless.

[eagleswings]

well i don,t know it sure keeps cropping up over and over in the news................ birthpangs......................

[Joy in the Journey]

The headline may be a bit radical, but it's a real disease with real potential to spread widely.  Even if the vaccine is created in time, there are problems with limitations in creating enough of it.  Poorer nations would most likely go without it.

I don't think it's a "media scare", per se.  Perhaps just a very enthusiastic journalist.  Maybe he feels strongly about the topic and is just trying to get the word out so people are more aware?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess I'm thinking about times in the past mate. First it was ( I may have my chronological order mixed up here- do forgive ) West Nile Virus; then it was SARS, then it was Anthrax, then Small Pox- everyone was buying up Cipro for the big Anthrax hit- people were debating about the getting a Small Pox vaccination for the "Plague of the 21st Century" that would surely spread....everyone was SO sure Small Pox would be an issue; or Anthrax, or SARS....now this ?

That's my only point. Look, I don't profess to be an expert- I'm pre-med but that doesn't mean a thing....however, I did just complete an Epidemiology course and I do know a little bit about the spread of infectious diseases....now I may be TOTALLY off base here- but really; what's the big worry ?

If all else fails- be sure to wash your hands That is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of disease

God bless my friend- and do keep posting- I am interested; I simply disagree with the media is all.

Tim

[Gerioke]

Matthew 24

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Luke 21

11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

[Keith]

That's my only point. Look, I don't profess to be an expert- I'm pre-med but that doesn't mean a thing....however, I did just complete an Epidemiology course and I do know a little bit about the spread of infectious diseases....now I may be TOTALLY off base here- but really; what's the big worry ?

If all else fails- be sure to wash your hands  That is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of disease 

God bless my friend- and do keep posting- I am interested; I simply disagree with the media is all.

It is hard to tell the real thing from media hype at times, isn't it? I agree with the washing of hands thingy. It really is one of the best preventative measures for so many things.

Personally, I'm not afraid of the disease either. I believe in prayer. Nothing can come against me that God doesn't allow. I lived in Africa in the mid 90's, just seven miles from the epi-center of where the ebola outbreak was. I took precautions, but didn't worry because I stayed in prayer.

So, you're pre-med, huh? Say, I have a weird green globby thing that hurts when I do this... ... It's right here... ... and I was wondering if you'd be so kind as to take a look......

[Keith]

Matthew 24

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Luke 21

11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And this is another reason why I post about it.

[Joy in the Journey]

So, you're pre-med, huh?  Say, I have a weird green globby thing that hurts when I do this... ...  It's right here...  ... and I was wondering if you'd be so kind as to take a look......     

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I'd say you're sick

( that's a little payback for your brilliant diagnosis of my car problems in the Men's Forum All in good fun mate )

Be blessed,

Tim