Bird Flu

**finlma** · 14/10/2005, 8:52 AM

Not caused by sitting too close to a bird on the bus with a cold but our feathered friends in the sky.

Its very worrying to see it spreading to Europe. Its slowly getting closer and closer to us. Some scientists are comparing it to the flu epidemic early last century which killed millions. I can't see it being that bad but definitely cause for concern.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 14/10/2005, 9:08 AM

It could be very serious indeed. One of these mutating flu's is a bullet with our number on it.

**Gareth** · 14/10/2005, 10:06 AM

Lads,

I am not surprised but a bit worried that for the last months this story has barely hit papers and I generally have to to go Science/Health on the BBC to get articles on it. I have been monitoring it for ages and I have got increasely worried that it will be a case of deal with it when it hits rather than prevent. With the recent disasters in the Middle East and the US focusing on the South after the hurricanes, we are potentially looking at a pandemic that could kill 100s of millions. Vaccines need to be found urgently or we will be facing a serious problem. I don't think its scare mongering either. Its ignorance that will cause the death of many!!!

**finlma** · 14/10/2005, 10:41 AM

9 people were put under observation in Turkey today after 40 pigeons died suddenly in their neighbourhood.

I agree with Gareth that not enough is being done. It seems action will only be taken when people start dying and it will be too late then.

**Gareth** · 14/10/2005, 11:20 AM

We clearly have not learned our lessons from the past. With freedom of movement so easy from asia to europe we are fooling ourselves to believe we are safe. We seem to think that all these issues are not issues until your neighbour is sick. Unfortunately due to economic reasons pharmutical companies have no profit in developing vaccines until required. This is insane to think. Whats the use of money if you have no one to sell it to? I just hope the WHO and the UN are more capable than I believe they are.

**drinkfeckarse** · 14/10/2005, 11:56 AM

I thought thats it's only going to be a problem if it mutates (which is a strong posibility) to affect humans, which at the moment it doesn't unless you're in direct contact with an infected animal?

**drinkfeckarse** · 14/10/2005, 11:58 AM

You can't really develop a vaccine for something for something that hasn't "developed" yet. If it mutates it could be a totally different strain to previous outbreaks so any vaccine would be useless.

**Macy** · 14/10/2005, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by drinkfeckarse

I thought thats it's only going to be a problem if it mutates (which is a strong posibility) to affect humans, which at the moment it doesn't unless you're in direct contact with an infected animal?

At the moment, it can't be passed human to human, just bird to human (and with close contact at that). They seem to expect it to mutate, but at the same time they don't know whether it will or won't yet or when. (and as you say, they can't develop a vaccine until it mutates - that's part of the problem).

**Poor Student** · 14/10/2005, 12:20 PM

It's now reached Turkey and Romania. That's frighteningly close considering where it originates. Like Gareth I am concerned about the lack of action. I cannot see why the EU won't get drachonian on this. It sounds so potentially disasterous it's petrifying.

**holidaysong** · 14/10/2005, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by Gareth

Lads,

I am not surprised but a bit worried that for the last months this story has barely hit papers and I generally have to to go Science/Health on the BBC to get articles on it. I have been monitoring it for ages and I have got increasely worried that it will be a case of deal with it when it hits rather than prevent. With the recent disasters in the Middle East and the US focusing on the South after the hurricanes, we are potentially looking at a pandemic that could kill 100s of millions. Vaccines need to be found urgently or we will be facing a serious problem. I don't think its scare mongering either. Its ignorance that will cause the death of many!!!

In fairness BBC news have been giving it coverage for the past few months both on their website and on their news programmes. I'm glad we don't have to rely on RT� for all our news. We will be fine unless it goes human to human (some scientists estimated a 100% chance of this happening though

) and then the feces really will hit the fan.

**Gareth** · 14/10/2005, 12:58 PM

I was praising the BBC. Sorry for my ignorance re vaccine. I think we need to get extreme and start limiting travel. For the sake of the future. Economies can recover, death has less likely prospects of...

**hoops1** · 14/10/2005, 1:09 PM

What are you going to do Gareth ask all the pigeons for there passports

**Gareth** · 14/10/2005, 1:15 PM

I was thinking of a lazer grid that is set up as a perimeter round ireland. If you fly thru it unauthroized you will be vapourised and your dust shot into space (in case of infection) Its easier than passport control.

**finlma** · 14/10/2005, 1:34 PM

Thats the problem - if it was carried by other animals it would be more containable.
We could put the IRA back to use and line them up along the coast with guns under order to shoot every bird entering the country.

**jofyisgod** · 14/10/2005, 9:28 PM

The birds are unlikely to migrate this far North, and any sick birds are unlikely to be well enough to complete such a journey.

Bear in mind, although Turkey is technically in Europe, it is still a long way off.
I wouldn't worry lads, remember such problems as SARS and BSE? Hype and panic.

**liam88** · 16/10/2005, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by jofyisgod

The birds are unlikely to migrate this far North, and any sick birds are unlikely to be well enough to complete such a journey.

Bear in mind, although Turkey is technically in Europe, it is still a long way off.
I wouldn't worry lads, remember such problems as SARS and BSE? Hype and panic.

Remeber SARS to well-got back from China the day before it was annouced!!
#Having said that this one seems worse....British government have said 50 000 will deffinatly die but they are preparing for 175 000-one expert says it could be 2 million in theUK mainly teenagers

**REVIP** · 16/10/2005, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by liam88

Having said that this one seems worse....British government have said 50 000 will deffinatly die but they are preparing for 175 000-one expert says it could be 2 million in theUK mainly teenagers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4346624.stm

It's not too reassuring when the chief medical officer says that 50,000 is probable and 750,000 is not impossible, and this is a guy who would be anxious not to cause a panic

**pineapple stu** · 16/10/2005, 3:49 PM

There was an article on it in this month's National Geographic as well - a few deaths reported out in Vietnam in recent months. Apparently, the flu may be able to mutate through pigs, who can get both bird flu and human flu (I think).

**finlma** · 17/10/2005, 7:59 AM

I don't understand how a recognised British scientist is saying at least 50,000 will die and there is still so little coverage or even panic about it.

Here comes the plague. Ah well, lets have a cup of tea and worry about it later.

**Dodge** · 17/10/2005, 8:12 AM

Originally Posted by finlma

I don't understand how a recognised British scientist is saying at least 50,000 will die and there is still so little coverage or even panic about it.

FFS man, Kate Moss is in rehab!!!! How many journalists do you think there are free to cover piddly little stories like "bird Flu"