Flu sickens hundreds on USS Roosevelt

CNN ^ | Dec 19, 2002

[fella]

Bio-attack?

[MonroeDNA]

Time for me to don my tinfoil hat, but...

The effectiveness of a potential BioWeapon plan is usually tested by an alternate (dummy) method.

For example, if you have a lethal strain of a virus, and wanted to know if your dispersion method would work, you would find a similar, non-lethal virus, and test it, instead.

Maybe if your goal was to bring down the US Navy, you might try the alternate virus on civillian large ships, first. Not just one or two, but a decent sample.

If it seemed to spread like you wanted it to, the next step would be to try the alternate virus on a real Navy ship. To see the response, if it matched the civillian ships, but also to also test the military reaction--different treatment? Quarantine?

You have to validate your vector method, if you are good.

Tin-foil hat influence, but perhaps somebody (really good) is getting all set for the real one.

[NautiNurse]

LOL--I just realized the confusion--and it was mine!

Nurse that I am, I look at all acronyms in context. When I saw troops sick, and the GI flu, it struck me as GI=General Issue. There was no mention of nausea/vomiting/diarrnea, so GI=gastrointestinal never occurred to me. Bedrest and plenty of fluids is the Rx for true-blue flu.

I just thought someone had tagged this latest flu with the name "GI" for the military...and that's what I get for trying to think too close to the holidays.

I think I'll go wrap some presents now.

[Poohbah]

I think I'll go wrap some presents now.

I know a guy who got the perfect box and wrapping paper for his wife's gift, and wrapped the box just so...

And only THEN saw the GIQ (Gift In Question) on the table next to the perfectly wrapped box :o)

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

Yes and the cool aide type drink bug juice.

[Travis McGee]

Thanks for the memories- NOT!

[goody2shooz]

Yes, I think you've explained the situations interrelationships nicely. Well done. You've hit the nail on the head.

Tinfoil hat, indeed!

[CFC__VRWC]

Actually its not as eerie as you think. Flu epidemics happen in military environments - the close quarters, sharing of breathing spaces, etc

Absolutely. If it weren't for the cruise ship illnesses this wouldn't even be news. I served on the USS Saratoga during the Gulf War - 8 months at sea with only 4 liberty calls. We were always hacking and sneezing. I came down with my first case of strep throat since I was twelve and had my tonsils out (I was 26 at the time), and haven't had it again in the twelve years since. It's like a kindergarten class - one person gets a bug and just like that everyone's got it.

I won't even get started about the athlete's foot and jungle rot epidemics.

[CFC__VRWC]

Yes and the cool aide type drink bug juice.

Don't forget the rollers (hot dogs).