“Chinese scientists report that lab-generated hybrid viruses combining genes from avian H5N1 and pandemic 2009 H1N1 (pH1N1) influenza viruses can achieve airborne spread between guinea pigs, a finding that seems likely to renew the debate about the risks of creating novel viruses that might be able to spark a human pandemic.”
The bottom line is that *nothing* is preventing H5N1 from having a successful genetic swap that makes it prefer the URT. So even now, by several factors, it is a far greater risk than is Ebola.
Perhaps. Ebola seems to be rewriting opinion on it daily.
Obviously, at the present time, that is not a true statement for these places where the current ebola outbreak has overwhelmed the medical system.
Given the continued travel in and out of the these areas with little restriction, Ebola has the odds on actually being transmitted beyond the current outbreak areas. Unless there is some H5N1 outbreak somewhere that I am not aware of.
Furthermore, the statement that H5N1 is more dangerous than Ebola is actually just an interesting side issue, since the preparation is going to be similar for either one.
So why not add to the discussion by enlightening everyone on what they should get to prepare for each, compare and contrast the supplies, etc. Afterall the prices will be cheaper now than if either becomes an epedimic here.
Arguing which is worse is a total waste of time. Giving advice on how to recognise it, and how to respond to it just helps everyone to have some knowledge that might be useful some day. JMHO.