BIRD FLU and other natural health threats

[Gorjirus]

Another news story that is quite prominent, BIRD FLU.

Now, whether this is be the be all, end all pandemic that it could be, I don't know. But even now it is causing alot of damge.

In the paper this week, I read where Taiwan (the most affected country in the world people wise) reported the 19th death in that country. The oldest reported person dead was a 19 year old in either Tailand or the Philipines I beleive.

I have heard some horrible predicted numbers for if it ever mutates and spreads from human to human.

[Seer235]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/world/05/bird_flu_map/html/1.stm This has a interesting timeline of the bird flu so far.

Here is an article concerning it:

Experts outline bird flu strategy

International health experts have agreed an outline global strategy to tackle bird flu.
The plan, which could cost $1bn (£573m) over three years, focuses on fighting the lethal strain of the virus in birds and improving countries' preparedness.

Experts warned that it remained essential for countries to develop and rehearse plans to deal with a pandemic.

They also said developing vaccines and boosting production of anti-viral medicines could cost $500m.

Earlier this week, the World Bank said that a pandemic could cost the global economy $800bn.

Shared information

The measures, announced at the end of a three-day conference in Geneva, called for an immediate improvement in animal health surveillance.

Experts said every dead or dying bird should be investigated and the results reported within 24 hours, and that countries must improve their disease early-warning system and share information about suspected outbreaks with one another.

They also warned that countries also needed to develop and rehearse plans to deal with a flu pandemic, for example deciding whether schools would be closed, and who would get anti-flu drugs when there were not enough for everybody.

"Once a pandemic virus appears, it will be too late," the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Lee Jong-wook, said.

The World Bank says it hopes to help raise the $1bn at a pledging conference in Beijing in January.

The proposals have huge implications for Asian and African countries, where backyard farming is common, vets are in short supply and health services are weak, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva.

More than 60 people have died of bird flu in Asia since the disease broke out in 2003.

[Ultimate goji]

Bird flus just crap! I mean I think people are going way overboard with it, (i know the whole thing is over I just want to air my views) Did you know that people have been giving away there pet birds and such because their worried there kids might get it because of the bird! Its ridiculous there pets will only get Bird flu if their exposed to other birds with the virus! I guess some people are just plain dumb (no offence to anyone one this forum)

[EternalMothra]

No it is serious Ultimate goji. It is something we have to keep an eye on. I heard on the news a few months ago that the normal flu vaccine may help in lessoning the bird flu.

[Ultimate goji]

Ok Em it is serious but im not worrying greatly about it, Its completly gone off the news here in England.