I went to a seminar on the Asian Bird Flu

[Keith_Hixson]

Thursday I participated in a Seminar about the Asian Bird Flu. The professional believe we will have a world wide epidemic in two or three years. But, they aren't 100% positive about anything yet. Only few people have had this flu and they aren't sure how they got it. It seems that the flu is based in Southeast Asia at the present time. A few birds throughout most of the world have showed signs of the virus. So far they believe the virus is almost identical to the "Spanish Flu" epidemic of 1918 - 1920. They believe about half the people who get the flu will die. They believe those between the ages of 10 - 35 are most in danger of dying. It seems to attack the most healthy the hardest. They have developed several vaccines but aren't sure which one will be most effective but they should have plenty by the time it reaches North America. If you had the flu several times over the last 30 years you probably have some anti-bodies built up against the flu virus and probably won't suffer as much as the youngsters. They would like everyone in the United States to get vaccinated by 2008.
However, there is so much they don't know about this flu or if it will actually develop into a world wide epidemic is not absolutely certain (many professionals believe it is certain, but the proof isn't there yet). Interesting, we old geezers don't have as much to fear as the kids.

Keith

[39mto39g]

Went to a seminar about 6 months ago, The only thing I would add to what you(Kieth) have said is that the bird flu is now from bird to human, which is not a dangerous thing to the population, If,,, and I say IIIIFFFF the bird flu ever goes from bird to human and then from Human to human, watch out, this is when the population is at danger, its important to monitor close and to get the first few human to human transfer because this is where the vacsene is made, from the antibodies produced from human to human,
Until human to human transfer is made there will be no vacsen for this flu except from bird to human.

Ron

[Keith_Hixson]

The One Thing I didn't mention is:

The Government wants to have total quaranteens of areas infected with the flu when it hits. The quaranteens will last up to two weeks or maybe even a month. Whole cities maybe shut down. They also want everyone in the USA to wear N-95 masks (basically surgical masks). Masks protect the person, and if you sneeze or cough the mask protects others. These masks are available at many stores now and hardware stores carry them also. So, go buy your masks now before you are required. Ask for the N-95 mask because that will be the one required.

This epidemic may or may not come. However, some members of the medical community are certain it will come.

As Ron pointed out, they can't make a good vaccine until they know exactly how the virus will mutate to humans and by then the epidemic will have begun, mostly likely will start in S.E. Asia so there will be a year to six months to develop a vaccine. And, of course there will many angry people who point fingers saying that government and medical industry was toooo slow in developing a vaccine if there are shortages. In reality the USA will probably be the most prepared of all nations if the flu does become a pandemic (worldwide epidemic).

Also, carriers of the flu at the present time is: Flowls = chickens, ducks, pheasants, quail, geese, grouse, turkeys, swans, etc. No wild or domestic flowl has come down with this flu yet in the USA. So its safe to eat chicken, turkey and wild game flowl right now. However, if you cook it well there shouldn't be a problem. Freezing does not kill this virus! So you must cook all the meat to a tempature of 220 or better for three minutes or more.

Well, this is all two to three years down the road.

Keith

[MORTARDUDE]

This is all a total bunch of bs to sell Tamiflu. Look who is getting rich from it...............guess who .. Rumsfeld...

Larry

[Advisor]

Remember the dreaded 'swine flu'?