There was a report on Fox news about Bird Flu last night. As usual, they had one "expert" who says there is very little chance of it becoming a panademic within this next year (although he did say that he firmly believes there WILL be a panademic within the next 10 - 20 years.)

The other "expert" says that it is a very real threat NOW and she is proud that President Bush has set money aside for more vaccine research & development. The other guy said that it is a waste of money (for right now anyway).....

The reporter/interviewer clearly took the side of the lady who believes it to be a current threat. He said that he honestly believes that it is actually a worse threat than health officials are leading us to believe. He stated that all the people that he has interviewed about Bird Flu are actually "scared to death".

Right now, this Flu is only passed from infected birds to persons who are in close contact with them....No person-to-person spreading virus has evolved YET.

Also, no vaccine for Bird Flu has been developed as yet and the only medication that has been found to ease the symptoms is Tamiflu (which is being hoarded by some people. The comapny that manufactures Tamiflu is holding back any new shipments until the actual NEED for it gets greater because of the hoarding.) Also, Tamiflu has found to only be effective IF it is taken during the very EARLY stages of the illness.

The report last night said that around 170 people (world wide) have been reported to have Bird Flu. About 60 people have died. Unless I'm missing something here, that is a 35% death rate....

I know the people who have caught this Flu are more than likely from countries with poor sanitation standards and poor, if any, medical care. It is still scary to me though.

What are your thoughts on this? What news reports have any of you heard?

Denise,
I love the list, I thought it was serious,until I saw #6-TOO FUNNY!!!!!

Oh! This reminds me I wanted to let you guys know that I saw a promo for a show about the potential bird flu epidemic. I believe it's going to be on the Discovery Channel but I'm afraid I've forgotten when. Sunday or Monday seems to ring in my brain.

The Center for Disease Control has released a list of symptoms of bird flu. If you experience any of the following, please seek medical treatment immediately:
>
1. High fever
2. Congestion
3. Nausea
4. Fatigue
5. Aching in the joints
6. An irresistible urge to poop on someone's windshield

(A friend sent this to me... )

Another government link on the subject:

http://pandemicflu.gov

Here is a tidbit from the Washington Post:

Bird Flu Could Hit U.S. Next Year

By JOSEPH B. VERRENGIA
The Associated Press
Tuesday, October 25, 2005; 2:00 PM

DENVER -- As bird flu is spread continent-to-continent by wild birds, the seasonal migration that is normally one of nature's wonders is becoming something scary.

Could bird flu reach North America through migrating birds? Biologists in Alaska and Canada are keeping an eye out and say it's possible by next year.

Scientists from several agencies have been monitoring large flocks in the northern part of this continent since last summer, collecting both live birds and thousands of samples from bird droppings. The results of those tests are pending, but so far scientists have not found the virus that is spreading across Asia.

Of course, the bigger fear is that bird flu will mutate into a flu that is both contagious and deadly to people and which would quickly spread around the globe through international travel. The current bird flu is not easily spread to people.

But scientists are studying the virus' transmission among birds as well. In the United States, a consortium of government agencies is seeking $5 million over the next three years to test birds along their migratory routes in the Lower 48 states beginning next spring.

More at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/25/AR2005102500869_pf.html

quote:

Originally posted by skedwards:

quote:

Originally posted by schoolmom:

quote:

Originally posted by MaryJo
we had a case of bird flu not far from here.

My understanding was that there had been no cases of bird flu in the U.S. Lori's link to the CDC website said the same thing. Why haven't we heard about this?

Kathy

I was wondering the same thing. I thought that Fox news said last night that all the known cases were in other countries.

I think they found a bird/birds on Florida that had the flu, they had been imported and were quarantined immediately. There have been no humans in the US with the bird flu.

Dawn

quote:

Originally posted by schoolmom:

quote:

Originally posted by MaryJo
we had a case of bird flu not far from here.

My understanding was that there had been no cases of bird flu in the U.S. Lori's link to the CDC website said the same thing. Why haven't we heard about this?

Kathy

I was wondering the same thing. I thought that Fox news said last night that all the known cases were in other countries.

quote:

Originally posted by MaryJo
we had a case of bird flu not far from here.

My understanding was that there had been no cases of bird flu in the U.S. Lori's link to the CDC website said the same thing. Why haven't we heard about this?

Kathy

We all got our flu shots as I don't want even the garden type variety flu- aweful stuff. I am also very careful about handwashing- especially at schools.

As for Avian Flu, we are aware and will continue to watch outbreaks- hope for no human to human transmission until there is a vaccine. If things do get bad, we will likely be at home for some time.

quote:

Originally posted by Sandy:

quote:

Originally posted by MaryJo:
My kids have had the flu shot and I missed my appointment twice. I plan on getting one soon.

If the bird Flu begins to spread human to human, the flu shot will not protect you.

But it will protect you against the strain of flu that most experts believe you will most likely be exposed to...

The flu manufacturers and CDC and (who knows who else) make an educated guess at the kinds of flu strains that will be out NEXT year... and manufacture a vaccine specific for the strains.

The vaccine for Bird Flu is not available THIS fall…

According to the news, most experts seem to think that Bird flu will not turn into a pandemic…

I’m not worried, but I’ll wash my hands and refrain from touching my nose and eyes… since I really don’t want ANY flu or cold or bug…

quote:

Originally posted by Sandy:
If the bird Flu begins to spread human to human, the flu shot will not protect you.

Yup. And then there are those of us who are allergic to the flu shot anyway, so we will just have to take what comes!

quote:

Originally posted by MaryJo:
My kids have had the flu shot and I missed my appointment twice. I plan on getting one soon.

If the bird Flu begins to spread human to human, the flu shot will not protect you.

I don't worry about it at all. I figure, really at this time there is nothing I can do about it and the risk of contracting it is so incredibly low that it is not worth me getting worked up about it. I am glad to see pre-planning by our government so if one day it is a problem we are ready.
Jill

we had a case of bird flu not far from here. I am concerned. I think the important thing is to exercise and eat foods to boost your immunity, so that if you do get sick, you can fight it better. My kids have had the flu shot and I missed my appointment twice. I plan on getting one soon.

Kaye,

this was all over Yahoo yesterday and there was an article about it that was very very good on the CDC website. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm

From reading this article, unless you have chickens, ducks, etc, or handle the feces or other bodily fluids of birds/poultry, the risk of getting bird flu is really almost non-existent. So far (from what I read) there have been no reported human to human spreading of this particular strain of influenza. I would recommend reading this article. It REALLY set my mind at ease, and I almost posted about it yesterday, but then the phone rang and I forgot about it after that