Posted on 06/06/2005 2:57:52 PM PDT by RWR8189
Washington — When we think of the major threats to our national security, the first to come to mind are nuclear proliferation, rogue states and global terrorism. But another kind of threat lurks beyond our shores, one from nature, not humans - an avian flu pandemic. An outbreak could cause millions of deaths, destabilize Southeast Asia (its likely place of origin), and threaten the security of governments around the world.
Earlier this year, Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, called the possibility of avian flu spreading from Southeast Asia "a very ominous situation for the globe." A killer flu could spread around the world in days, crippling economies in Southeast Asia and elsewhere. From a public health standpoint, Dr. Gerberding said, an avian flu outbreak is "the most important threat that we are facing right now."
International health experts say that two of the three conditions for an avian flu pandemic in Southeast Asia have already been met. First, a new strain of the virus, called A(H5N1), has emerged, and humans have little or no immunity to it. Second, this strain can jump between species. The only remaining obstacle is that A(H5N1) has not yet mutated into a form that is easily transmitted from human to human.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
How are Barack Obama and Richard Lugar qualified to write expertly about bird flu pandemics in the newspaper formerly claiming to be the America's newspaper of record?
Apparently, you do not know how this works.
When you get elected to the House or Senate, you become an instant expert on everything.
That eliminates the, "who elected that dumb a$$?" issue.
I think it has something to do with the air back in DC, not sure.
That or they all sleep in Holiday Inn Express's.
LVM
The permissive nature of our government to outrageous immigration, legal and illegal, from lands where there is no sanitation, washing of hands, no less use of sanitary facilities will soon lead to a major epidemic in this country and on this earth.
Just my opinion.
Gee, I wonder how much of a tax increase will be needed?
Lugar and Obama, huh? I don't get it---what is the punchline?
Maybe Obama is giving cover to the Gov Blago flu shot fiasco that cost IL taxpayers lots of $$$$ and denied lots of people access to the shots when it wasn't necessary. Politicians should not be allowed to write health policy.
Maybe Obama is giving cover to the Gov Blago flu shot fiasco that cost IL taxpayers lots of $$$$ and denied lots of people access to the shots when it wasn't necessary. Politicians should not be allowed to write health policy.
For those who would like to learn more about the possibility of a pandemic:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1399613/posts?page=38
Except what they are suppose to be "experts" on. Like our NATIONAL DEFENSE which they ignore because they don't want to deal with ILLEGALS or OVERSPENDING because they need to BUY VOTES to stay in POWER.
What is the risk to humans from bird flu?
The risk from bird flu is generally low to most people because the viruses occur mainly among birds and do not usually infect humans. However, during an outbreak of bird flu among poultry (domesticated chicken, ducks, turkeys), there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with excretions from infected birds. The current outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N1) among poultry in Asia (see below) is an example of a bird flu outbreak that has caused human infections and deaths. In such situations, people should avoid contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces, and should be careful when handling and cooking poultry. For more information about avian influenza and food safety issues, visit the World Health Organization website.
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Interim Recommendations for Persons with Possible Exposure to Avian Influenza During Outbreaks Among Poultry in the United States
February 24, 2004, 09:00 EST (09:00 PM EST)
Issued as Health Alert Network message on February 24, 2004.
Outbreaks of avian influenza A occur among U.S. poultry flocks from time to time. Since early February 2004, avian influenza outbreaks have been reported in several locations in the United States , most recently in Texas . This document briefly describes the current outbreak in Texas and provides interim guidance for persons who might be exposed to avian influenza; health-care professionals; and consumers of poultry.
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WHERE DO ILLEGALS MOST OFTEN WORK IN THE UNITED STATES? CHICKEN PLANTS!!! Tyson & Con Agra to be specific!
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Background
The state of Texas has reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N2) among poultry on one farm in Gonzales County , in south-central Texas . This is the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the United States in 20 years and was detected by routine state monitoring for avian influenza.
Birds on this farm were sold to live bird markets in the Houston area. Preliminary testing of birds at two of these markets found evidence of avian influenza. The farm and the two live bird markets have been quarantined, cleaned, and disinfected following the culling of affected poultry. In addition, extensive surveillance measures have been instituted around the affected premises. CDC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are working with the Texas Department of Health and the Texas Animal Health Commission on both the human health and animal/veterinary aspects to contain this outbreak in poultry and minimize risk to humans. The health risk to humans from the H5N2 influenza outbreak in Texas is considered low at this time.
The H5N2 strain in Texas is a different subtype of influenza A than the virus affecting parts of Asia . The H5N1 outbreaks among poultry in Asia have been associated with human cases in Thailand and Vietnam . There is no epidemiologic link between the H5N1 virus in Asia and the H5N2 virus in Texas .
Avian influenza viruses typically do not infect humans; however, several instances of human infections and outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported since 1997 (for more information, see "Avian Influenza Infection in Humans"). It is believed that most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. Other means of transmission also are possible, such as the virus becoming aerosolized and landing on exposed surfaces of the mouth, nose, or eyes, or being inhaled into the lungs.
Just my opinion.>>>>>
More like an obvious fact, I would say. It's like the dead oak tree in my yard, it is a certainty that the limbs will break and fall but nobody can say just when.
We agree, but the Politicias ca't see the dead oak trees because of the forest.
Lugar is chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Obama is a member of the committee.
The current strain of bird flu is killing large numbers of birds in Asia, and people have also died from the disease, although there is not yet solid evidence that it can be transmitted from human to human.
However, flu viruses are prone to mutate, and the fear is that this one is particularly deadly and could become a worldwide pandemic, spread both by migrating birds and by traveling humans.
Reports are coming out of China saying that the virus is very active there. The Chinese are neither particularly forthcoming with information, and what they do say is suspect.
Remember SARS? Remember China's denials that there was a problem until after it reached Canada?
This flu may be a worldwide problem. The US must work with other nations. The Foreign Relations Committee must be informed and active in the matter, thus the Lugar and Obama bylines.
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