Bird Flu - Are We at Risk?

[Oracle]

Since the first reported cases of Bird Flu (Avian Flu) of the strain H₅N₁ in the UK there hasn't been much public discussion as to the risks both to the population in the Uk or to travellers visiting regions where H₅N₁ is endemic in the bird populations.

Although the majority of human cases of this virus have originated in Asia and mainly in people having very close contact with livestock birds it is important to remember that Flu viruses in general are able to become contagious within new hosts with only limited exposure (relatively).

It has been reported that a man in China has contracted the disease directly from his son, who subsequently died of the infection.  Although human-human transmission is reported to be very rare, each time it occurs means there is a chance that the mutation that allowed H₅N₁ to infect another human may lead to it becoming a new and very virulent human infection.

This would have a huge impact around the globe, especially with the increase in global travel, mainly facilitated by the relatively cheap cost of flying.

How should the world deal with this potential issue?  Should drugs companies be doing more to develop anti-viral drugs?  If an outbreak does occur, should that area be quarentined as in the film 28 Days Later?   How worried should we as individuals be and what should we be doing to protect ourselves?  HYS


Reference From:

Bird Flu on BBC.co.uk
The Lancet Journal
Human H₅N₁ Cases Via WHO.int

[Jim]

[Shorty]

I think your right to some extent. 

The media (tv, papers, radio and the internet) do hype up these doomsday stories to quite a large extent (in my opinion).

But maybe this is a good thing?!  If everyone is slightly over worried about things like bird flu, maybe it will prompt folk to think about how they can protect themselves and their families by their own actions.

I think the exagerration is sometimes too much as it isn't accompanied by any practical advise, its just to increase sales/viewers/listeners, rather than acting as a source of public information.

I wonder if we should have public service broadcast, like they did during the cold war, how to build a shelter in your own home?!?

Cheers

Shorty

[Shorty]

Still alive here!

Not heard much about Avian Flu for a while...far too many other exciting stories like Jade Goodies cancer, X-Factor and all the other dross currently making the headlines!

It's still there though folks!