http://bmartinmd.com/2009/08/h1n1-death-rate-near-1.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/security/ops/hsc-scen-3_flu-pandemic-deaths.htm
The 1918 flu mortality rate was 2.5% and if it occurred in the US today, with the present population, it would cause the deaths of nearly 2 million people. The 1918 strain was an H1N1 virus and the “mother” of the present strain of swine flu.
There is also a fear that H1N1 will become more virulent even if it does not re-assort with another virus. Scientists believe that this occurred with the 1918 epidemic which is why the WHO is so concerned. The 1918 flu killed the majority of people in October thru Nov.
If you want to read more about H5N1, here is a scary look into the world of viruses....
http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Our-Door-Global-Threat/dp/1595580115
Thanks for trying to explain it to me. I’ve not once seen any explanation as to why this is as bad as TB or typhoid fever or any other disease that regularly wreaked mayhem in the past.
I still am trying to understand - you say it’s bad IF the TWO viruses are in 1 body? But what are the chances of getting the Bird Flu? Or are you simply saying that being weak (via Swine) makes one more susceptible to the Bird? Or does it HAVE to be both combined?
Increased virulence or genetic mixing could occur with ANY flu strain and H5N1. But, for some reason, only H1N1 gets the government’s panties in a bunch. So, I stand by my hypothesis that government could be using the relatively exotic H1N1 as a boogeyman to scare people into accepting bigger government (in this case, in the area of infectious diseases).