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| Thread ID: 62390 | 2005-10-05 23:31:00 | Deadly 1918 'Flu Epidemic Was A Bird 'Flu | vinref (6194) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 393748 | 2005-10-05 23:31:00 | US scientists have finally analysed the 'flu strain that was responsible for the deaths of 50m people in 1918, and it appears to be a bird 'flu virus (www.nytimes.com) like the one now having a go in Asia. That virus jumped very quickly to humans unlike the current one. Artcle is from the NYTimes, so you may need to register, but it is a very good paper. |
vinref (6194) | ||
| 393749 | 2005-10-05 23:41:00 | Try here www.newscientist.com | paulw (1826) | ||
| 393750 | 2005-10-06 01:46:00 | US scientists have finally analysed the 'flu strain that was responsible for the deaths of 50m people in 1918, and it appears to be a 'flu virus like the one now having a go in Asia. That virus jumped very quickly to humans unlike the current one. The current bird flu is just that. 60 people have died overseas from flu symptoms, none of which have been proven to come from the birds. It may or may not spread to humans, the main worry at present is affecting the likes of poultry farmers. Note that is 60 people, not 60 million. Even 60 million is hardly a drop in the teeming mass of humans infesting this planet. ABout time we had a good plague if you ask me. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 393751 | 2005-10-06 03:23:00 | The current bird flu is just that. 60 people have died overseas from flu symptoms, none of which have been proven to come from the birds. It may or may not spread to humans, the main worry at present is affecting the likes of poultry farmers. Note that is 60 people, not 60 million. Even 60 million is hardly a drop in the teeming mass of humans infesting this planet. ABout time we had a good plague if you ask me. The 'flu strain detected in the 60 or so victims are of the H5N1 strain, the same found in the bird 'flu. If it were just 60 or so people, then despite their suffering, it would be great news. However, these viruses are inherently unstable and mutate very quickly. It only needs to mutate enough to tranfer from human to human, and then it would spread quickly. I don't think it would be a good time to have a plague, because the virus doesn't care who you are and who your loved ones are. |
vinref (6194) | ||
| 393752 | 2005-10-06 08:27:00 | Yes viruses are fascinating creatures . Part animal and part crystal they exist in a category of their own . That is why antibiotics are ineffective - they aren't living organisms like bacteria such as necrotising fasciitis . Famous virui are Marburg, Ebola and Smallpox . Do you know how many cures science has produced for viruses? Exactly none . The failure to cure the common cold is usually given as the best example of this failure . Vaccination against viruses works because it teaches the body to fight a known infection by introducing a weak strain . But we can't kill the blighters with medicine . Mutation is the problem because viruses change often . Thus a vaccination may be ineffective if the virus has changed by the time it visits you . Want to read a good thriller on the subject - The Cobra Event by Richard Preston . |
Winston001 (3612) | ||
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