World warned over killer flu pandemic »
Posted By monicachenoa 2 months, 2 weeks ago in StyleThe world is failing to guard against the inevitable spread of a devastating flu pandemic which could kill 50 million people and wreak massive disruption around the globe, the Government has warned.
Read Full Story at independent.co.uk »
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BB642 months, 2 weeks ago
Just another sky is falling story. Just like the bird flu. The stories scared the hell out of people yet the authors forgot to go into details at how it would be spread and the risks. You had old people cleaning out their freezers thinking you could get the flu from frozen food. It's time we make the media be responsible. If you're going to use the scare headlines to sell papers, be prepared to fully explain everything.
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Dionys2 months, 2 weeks ago
Most microbiologists and disease vectorologists think it'll come from a different bacteria/virus anyhow. MRSA's spreading like wildfire and there are any number of other viruses/bacteria that could mutate just as easily as the flu.
If there is an outbreak, however, let's hope it happens at the Chinese olympics and stays there. Perhaps a strain that only affects Maoists.
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willottica2 months, 2 weeks ago
Why don't we just ship them some cigarette exports?
That was an astounding comment. If it were to break out at the Olympics, it would have a greater chance than ever of being spread rapidly throughout the world. Also remember that the Chinese don't really have to option to criticize their government's policies (re: Tibet) so don't condemn all Chinese because you disagree with their leadership.
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joeblowe2 months, 2 weeks ago
There is at least one interesting comment in the article. The author (who, I notice, is a POLITICAL reporter, not a medical or science reporter) points out that BILLIONS of dollars have been spent to combat terrorism globally, but comparatively very little to prevent or control a disaster from a disease pandemic. Which seems really odd/stupid since way, way , way, WAY more people have died throughout history as a result of epidemics than have died from acts of terrorism.
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Dionys2 months, 2 weeks ago
Not to mention the fact that it wouldn't be horribly difficult for a 'terrorist' to get the flu, convince his/her cell buddies to make sure some pigs/chickens are infected with a variety of the flu.. get a bunch of cell-members sick and then fan out on airlines going to the US or Canada.
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canadianrancher572 months, 2 weeks ago
I don't really worry about such things but I know that as the population continues to grow and also moves to ever growing urban centers the chances of this happening does increase. Man is able to develope tools to help fight such events but in the end the laws of nature do apply to us as well.
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HannibalBarca2 months, 2 weeks ago
Wow, you must have a massive computer to input all those symptoms ...lol
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willottica2 months, 2 weeks ago
FTA: "If something developed in a country with a developed healthcare system you would stop it and stop it before it went round the world. You cannot have that confidence about the developing world,"
What a moronic statement. You might try to stop it. But would you recognize it as a pandemic before it got out of control? My guess is that a developed health care system WOULD treat it more effectively, but it would not stop it before it went round the world. Whether it comes from or migrates to the developing world, they will likely feel the brunt of the effects, as treatment of patients and the luxury of time off to recover will both be harder to come by.
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Tango572 months, 2 weeks ago
Something to think about...we live in a country where 40 million have no health insurance and no-one wants to go to the doctor if they are ill....it could happen, more likely here than anywhere else. I suppose it's just a matter of time. But really, why worry about it? With the state of our current economic conditions with no real short term fix, I imagine alot of folks are ready to throw in the towel. We have so many illegal imigrants in this country we are seeing measles, mumps, TB, make a comeback.
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