Bird flu 'resistant to main drug'

CNN (Reuters) ^ | 9/30/2005

[Rutles4Ever]

I saw a very sobering episode of Nightline yesterday, and I know it's "Nightline", but the doctor from Minnesota who is basically spearheading our response to this issue basically said that we can limit our exposure to the virus here, but it's going to affect the whole world because international commerce would literally come to a screeching halt. As he put it, it would be up to every country for themself to manage the flu in their own countries.

He also added that there is simply no way to produce enough of a given vaccine in this country because the facilities are in other countries, and that something as mundane as a protective mask would run short since they're not manufactured here and we would have closed out ports.

Not a pretty picture.

[edcoil]

We should isolate the area, no flghts or people can come visit us here.

[JeeperFreeper]

Very interesting post. FReepers would be well advised to remember the Spanish Flu outbreak from the early 1900s which killed millions. Here's a chance for the Bush Admin to get out ahead of a emergency. Think they'll do it??

[EagleUSA]

Again, are we being set up by Washington complacency again??

[Pessimist]

"because the facilities are in other countries"

Thank our trial lawyers for that one.

Of course when we can't come up w/ enough vaccine, the blame will be layed at the feet of the gvt (particularly if pubs are in power then).

And the answer: Spend more gvt money in one way or another, of course.

[Yaelle]

Bump to get this on the Asian Flu Preparedness ping list.

So far there are several sources now saying Tamiflu is not the answer.

[Pessimist]

I haven't really been following this whole bird flu thing so far. Anybody know what the mortaility rate is?

[Servant of the 9]

There is a bill in congress right now to apropriate billions to buy a stockpile of Tamiflu.
If is isn't gonna work ..........

So9

[Servant of the 9]

I haven't really been following this whole bird flu thing so far. Anybody know what the mortaility rate is?

Over 100,000 deaths predicted for the US if we have a major outbreak.

So9

[Servant of the 9]

We should isolate the area, no flghts or people can come visit us here.

And shoot down every bird that tries to leave Asia?

So9

[WomanBiologist]

Actually - the CDC has directed all states to develop a preparedness response plan specific to influenza and most plans are nearly complete. Most states already have plans to deal with a mass outbreak of disease. Disease outbreaks are usually handled very well (hepatitis A exposure, small flu outbreaks, measles outbreaks, pertussis, etc). MSM just over reacts to every little story...

[edcoil]

And shoot down every bird that tries to leave Asia?

Too far to fly, some hitch a ride on cargo vessels so yes, if 150 million peopel might die then stopping birds is a minimum you need to do. Also stopping all imports of birds as pets should stop.

[softwarecreator]

Over 100,000 deaths predicted for the US if we have a major outbreak.

I heard far gloomier estimates than that.  Hopefully, the gov't is on this thing.

[2ndreconmarine]

Ping

[Servant of the 9]

And shoot down every bird that tries to leave Asia?

Too far to fly, some hitch a ride on cargo vessels so yes, if 150 million peopel might die then stopping birds is a minimum you need to do. Also stopping all imports of birds as pets should stop.

It isn't one bird. A bird may only carry it 10 miles and then infect another bird.
You are living in a dream world if you think we can stop them all. We either develop and produce a vaccine or get a pandemic.

Actually, the world has way more than 150 million people to spare.

In fact, the US has more than 150 million people to spare.

Actually, this could be a good thing.

So9

[neverdem]

And shoot down every bird that tries to leave Asia?

How about stopping all shipping to Wal-Mart too?

[dawn53]

Well, if Tamiflu doesn't work, it's not really complacency that's at issue.

If Tamiflu worked, then we could stockpile it, and in fact, I think we are trying to do that.

But with this info, the only other thing would be a vaccine, but a vaccine can't be developed ahead of time since at this point the flu has not mutated to a strain that can be caught "person to person."

Of course once it does mutate to that point, then you can bet everybody will be working on a vaccine, but it really won't do much good because it takes a while to develop it, produce it and distribute it.

A pandemic flu of a new strain is not really something we can prevent, but rather something we might be able to manage if we have plans in place for quarantine, etc.

[softwarecreator]

Actually, the world has way more than 150 million people to spare.
In fact, the US has more than 150 million people to spare.
Actually, this could be a good thing.

What if one of the disposable human beings were someone you loved and cared about ... would it still be a good thing?

[EagleUSA]

Of course once it does mutate to that point, then you can bet everybody will be working on a vaccine....
----
We can only hope so. The scary part is that with our wide open borders, illegals (and legals) from Asia are coming in most likely, daily. And carrying what?? Nobody knows.

[N. Theknow]

Bird flu?

Perhaps a vaccine could be developed by some chicken shot outfit.