Bird flu kills Thai man, Jakarta fears mutation (human to human vector mutation feared)

Reuters ^ | 20-Oct-05 | Panarat Thepgumpanat

[wolfcreek]

It's the FLU right? What is the mortality rate?

[va4me]

Seems like we have a bird flu 'fear' every few years or so. A few years ago we had a 'foot and mouth disease' fear. And SARS. The media, keeping our blood pressure up as usual.

It seems as if this is a lot different, a lot of mainstream folks are worried this time. Check out:

http://www.sciencefriday.com/pages/2005/Oct/hour1_101405.html

The fear here is that this isn't SARS, it's more like the 1918 flu which was contagious before symptoms appear. This is also more deadly, and will most likely impact those with strong immune systems, one estimate is that 2-5% of all persons who contract the disease who are ages 20-40 will die.

Unfortunately, we're all pretty powerless do anything other than wait. Tamiflu might be useless, even if you can get your hands on it.

[bitt]

'Then it is confirmed: We are all going to die.'

as soon as I read this post, I had to ping you....you were pre-empted... lol

[bitt]

at least 50%

[MarMema]

When a household comes down with this strain of flu where no members have physical contact with chickens or other fowl, then will be the time to worry.

Exactly. They're looking hard but so far it's all speculation, I think.

[grey_whiskers]

How about this quote?

Taiwan's Agriculture Council said it had found infected birds in a container smuggled from China, the island's first case since late 2003.

Attempted bioterrorism by proxy, against Taiwan?