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Drudge: Killer flu 'on the way'
Drudge Report ^ | Nov 2, 2002 | BBC

Posted on 11/02/2002 5:53:50 AM PST by The Raven

Experts say governments across Europe need to plan for a virulent flu outbreak that could claim hundreds of thousands of lives.

Although the last two winters have brought only mild strains of flu to the UK, the viruses are constantly mutating and scientists say it is only a matter of time before a powerful strain emerges.

Whatever knowledge, technology and skills we develop, eventually it's the policy makers and the politicians that decide what is going to happen

Professor Albert Osterhaus, Erasmus University While it may not be as damaging as the 1918 "Spanish flu" that killed tens of millions in Europe alone, they say that the continent is not ready to cope with another pandemic.

This "superflu" is caused by an influenza virus, but its fatality rate is more reminiscent of lethal haemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola.

Previous versions, including the Spanish flu, had mutated into a form which the human immune system could not tackle.

It is possible that, at any time, the virus could mutate again and produce a strain that could share many of these lethal genetic characteristics.

Strategies

Virologists from throughout Europe are meeting in Malta this week to discuss the best strategy for first predicting, and then handling a major outbreak.

Albert Osterhaus, a professor of virology at Erasmus Univeristy in Rotterdam, said: "Whatever knowledge, technology and skills we develop, eventually it's the policy makers and the politicians that decide what is going to happen."

European citizens will expect everything possible to have been done at every level of public authority

Robert Coleman, European Commission Some experts have been looking at the genetic structure of the virus which caused the 1918 pandemic, as well as a serious outbreak in Hong Kong in 1997 for clues which may help doctors combat such an outbreak.

There were three flu pandemics in the last century, in 1918, 1957 and 1968.

Even though the 1957 and 1968 outbreaks were less severe than the Spanish flu, they still accounted for 40m deaths between them.

Overdue attack

Researchers suggest that an approximate 30 year cycle between pandemics means we are well overdue for another one.

Robert Coleman, the director general of health and consumer protection at the European Commission, said: "The action we take now will determine how well we combat the next major influenza threat we will face.

"European citizens will expect everything possible to have been done at every level of public authority.

"It will be several months at least after the start of the pandemic before a vaccine is available.

"Antiviral drugs could help during this period, but stockpiles would need to be in place well in advance. This is not yet the case."


TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: flu
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To: AndyTheBear
I had a serious case of flu when I was a teenager in 1957, one of the pandemic years. If might have killed me had I been older. If it was the bad flu would that give me any protection from the killer flu they keep talking about, or has it been too long?
21 posted on 11/02/2002 7:09:52 AM PST by Ditter
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To: The Raven
it seems to me that there is an identical story published every year. sooner or later it will turn out to be true, but i see no evidence that it's any likelier in any one year than it is in any other.

dep

22 posted on 11/02/2002 7:10:46 AM PST by dep
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To: The Raven
AAACCCHOOOOO!! *sniff* (excuse me) Everyone relax I'm sure there's nothing to worr -- ahh ACHHHOOO!!!!t -- uh, nothing to worry about...

Thud!

23 posted on 11/02/2002 7:10:48 AM PST by shadowman99
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To: The Raven
There are natural anti-virals like Oil of Oregano, Echinacea, Golden Seal, Sambucol (an elderberry extract developed by an Israeli virologist) and immune system boosters. I am going with those.

g

24 posted on 11/02/2002 7:12:49 AM PST by Geezerette
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To: discostu
Beware the scare.

Remember to "follow the money", as well. I've never had a flu shot, and I have never had the flu. Coincidence?



25 posted on 11/02/2002 7:21:04 AM PST by who knows what evil?
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To: buffyt
That sounds like Mono more than Flu.

I had it, and it sucked big time!

-Maigrey-
26 posted on 11/02/2002 7:26:48 AM PST by Maigrey
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To: Geezerette
There are natural anti-virals like Oil of Oregano, Echinacea, Golden Seal, Sambucol (an elderberry extract developed by an Israeli virologist) and immune system boosters. I am going with those.

Amen! Sambucol ROCKS! I laugh at these people sucking down their mass-produced NyQuil, Robitussin, and such; which just MANAGE (and poorly, at that) their symptoms, while Sambucol gets in there and FLOORS the problem. I've turned LOTS of friends on to Sambucol, and I've seen it work when a cold or flu starts in on them. In addition to the other items you mentioned, I am also a BIG fan of 'Eucalyptus Radiata' essential oil. No needles/viral injections for me, thank you.



27 posted on 11/02/2002 7:32:25 AM PST by who knows what evil?
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To: AndyTheBear
(Andy the Bear's wife):
The current flu vaccine that is available is a inactivated virus ("killed" if you will) made up of three strains total of Influenza type A and type B. These are the normal flu strains found in the human population. The reason that you get a new flu shot every year is that these are broad categories for a lot of flu varieties wandering around out there. The CDC makes a recommendation to the flu manufacturers of what vaccine components should be composed of around spring of each year. You can look this up in the CDC web site.(Sorry, I can't remember it right now. I think you can find the link within the FDA web site.)

About pandemics: the flu shot you get every year probably will not be effective. The pandemic happens when a flu normally found in an animal population, such as pigs or chickens, crosses over into the human population. We have next to no immunity to this. The 1918 flu pandemic was so severe because it struck strongest at strong, healthy young adults (20's - 30's). As you know from history, this was during the time of World War 1. This flu was said to have killed more people than the war. The flu was seen in conjunction with a pneumonia infection and the combination killed the host in about 3 days. For more information about the 1918 pandemic, I highly recommend the book "Flu" by Gina Kolata.

Currently there is not a pandemic vaccine available. Because of this, the NIH granted 3-4 companies monies to develop pandemic vaccines in year 2000 (summer or fall). As far as I know, none of the companies are close to having something available yet. Remember, this also has to go through the FDA for approval. Those guys at the FDA really do protect the public, so please don't blame them for the delay!
28 posted on 11/02/2002 7:36:42 AM PST by AndyTheBear
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To: spectre
There is no "this flu". The story is talking about just another "what if". They are just speculating about what might happen if another super-virulent strain like the 1918 flu ever comes around again.

I'd say that the folks talking about it (for the 30th straight year) to the media are simply looking for increased funding and ego boosts.

I've heard speculation from research viroligists that perhaps the only reason the 1918 flu happened was because of the millions of men in the trenches in Europe.
29 posted on 11/02/2002 7:37:05 AM PST by jimtorr
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To: who knows what evil?
Thank you for the support!! I don't intend to tell others what to do ... just drop some key words and if they are interested, they can do a Google search and see for themselves.

It works for me, and obviously, you, too!

g

30 posted on 11/02/2002 7:43:50 AM PST by Geezerette
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To: who knows what evil?
One of the many reason I enjoy this site is because of the health recommendations. Never heard of Sambucol however I will be sure to get some more info on it now. Thanks
31 posted on 11/02/2002 7:45:13 AM PST by shadeaud
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To: spectre
I got a flu shot about ten years ago and guess what? I got the flu. I haven't got a flu shot since. And guess what? I haven't got the flu since. Best preventive action for the flu. Wash your hands often and stay out of doctors' offices. LOL
32 posted on 11/02/2002 7:47:22 AM PST by kellynla
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To: Geezerette
Echinacea, Golden Seal, Sambucol

Best to take Echinacea at the very onset of symptoms, and not for too long. It can be very helpful taken that way, by temporarily boosting white blood cell count. However, there's medical evidence to suggest that taking it for extended periods of time when you're healthy might actually weaken one's immune system. Same for Golden Seal.

My sister swears by Sambucol, and she hasn't had so much as the sniffles in years.

33 posted on 11/02/2002 7:47:43 AM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: jimtorr
Epidemic of 1918 killed thousands

During the latter stage of World War I, Pittsburgh was hit with a severe epidemic of influenza. Medical historians believe it began in a U.S. Army barracks in Kansas in March of 1918 and, with alarming speed, spread through-out the world.

The epidemic was devastating--it killed twice as many people as were killed in the battles of the war.

It struck the Pittsburgh area in October and November of 1918 and claimed 4,500 lives. Some 22,000 cases were reported.

It was estimated that 500,000 people in the United States died of the flu.

Sadly, my Grandmother, only 17...died of this flu, leaving behind her 9 month old daughter...my Mom.

sw

34 posted on 11/02/2002 7:48:04 AM PST by spectre
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To: Ditter
If it was the bad flu would that give me any protection from the killer flu they keep talking about, or has it been too long?

Probably not. Generally, from year to year, the influenza virus mutates to create one or more new strains. (It has to do with the naked RNA or DNA which can be more easily made to mutate than the DNA in your cells, which is pretty well-protected inside a nucleus. I'm not sure whether the inflenza virus has DNA or RNA, nor if it has perhaps a small protein coat over the DNA/RNA. It's been a long time since I studied biology.) They usually are different enough that the immune system of someone who had the last strain of flu wont recognize the new one as flu, and their antiquated antibodies won't be effective against the new strain.

This is why you have to get a flu shot every year; last year's usually won't help much.

35 posted on 11/02/2002 7:49:23 AM PST by jude24
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To: who knows what evil?
Ooops, forgot to thank you for "Eucalyptus Radiata" oil. That's a new one to me!!! Will check it out.

g

36 posted on 11/02/2002 7:50:03 AM PST by Geezerette
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To: The Raven
This headline runs every year about this time. One of these years it will probably happen, but who knows when?
37 posted on 11/02/2002 7:50:21 AM PST by Cicero
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To: kellynla
LOL! My husband refuses to take the shot. He used to get the "flu" from the shot alone...So I get the shot to take care of him if he gets sick..go figure..

sw

38 posted on 11/02/2002 7:51:27 AM PST by spectre
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To: who knows what evil?
I've never had a flu shot, and I have never had the flu. Coincidence?

Well I sometimes get a queasy stomach for a few hours when my relatives and neighbors are throwing up etc., and the only time I have been really sick with the flu was after the only flu shot I ever got which was in my first season in the Air Force. I managed to avoid the shot and the flu for the rest of my enlistment.

39 posted on 11/02/2002 7:57:21 AM PST by arthurus
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To: The Raven
"Antiviral drugs could help during this period, but stockpiles would need to be in place well in advance. This is not yet the case."

Subtext: A stockpile of anti-viral drugs could be useful against bioterror attacks.

40 posted on 11/02/2002 8:00:52 AM PST by eno_
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