Post Date: 05/13/13
2 new diseases could both spark global outbreaks
Two respiratory viruses in different parts of the world have captured the attention of global health officials — a novel corona virus in the Middle East and a new bird flu spreading in China.
2 new diseases could both spark global outbreaks
Two respiratory viruses in different parts of the world have captured the attention of global health officials — a novel corona virus in the Middle East and a new bird flu spreading in China.
Post Date: 05/12/13
Second French corona-virus case confirmed
A second diagnosis of the new SARS-like coronavirus has been confirmed in France, the Health Ministry said on Sunday, in what appeared to be a case of human-to-human transmission.
Second French corona-virus case confirmed
A second diagnosis of the new SARS-like coronavirus has been confirmed in France, the Health Ministry said on Sunday, in what appeared to be a case of human-to-human transmission.
Post Date: 05/09/13
Emergence of Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus Causing Severe Human Illness — China, February–April 2013
No evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission has been found, and no human cases of H7N9 virus infection have been detected outside China, including the United States. This report summarizes recent findings and recommendations for preparing and responding to potential H7N9 cases in the United States. Clinicians should consider the diagnosis of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection in persons with acute respiratory illness and relevant exposure history and should contact their state health departments regarding specimen collection and facilitation of confirmatory testing.
Emergence of Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus Causing Severe Human Illness — China, February–April 2013
No evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission has been found, and no human cases of H7N9 virus infection have been detected outside China, including the United States. This report summarizes recent findings and recommendations for preparing and responding to potential H7N9 cases in the United States. Clinicians should consider the diagnosis of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection in persons with acute respiratory illness and relevant exposure history and should contact their state health departments regarding specimen collection and facilitation of confirmatory testing.
Post Date: 05/12/2013
Bird flu:
US safe from two new viruses - so far
More than 50 travelers just back in the United States from China who had flu-like symptoms have been tested for the H7N9 bird flu virus, federal health officials say. So far, none has tested positive.
Bird flu:
US safe from two new viruses - so far
More than 50 travelers just back in the United States from China who had flu-like symptoms have been tested for the H7N9 bird flu virus, federal health officials say. So far, none has tested positive.
Post Date: 05/09/13
CDC - Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus
An investigation by Chinese authorities is ongoing. Many of the people infected with H7N9 are reported to have had contact with poultry. However some cases reportedly have not had such contact. Close contacts of confirmed H7N9 patients are being followed to determine whether any human-to-human spread of H7N9 is occurring. No sustained person-to-person spread of the H7N9 virus has been found at this time.
CDC - Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus
An investigation by Chinese authorities is ongoing. Many of the people infected with H7N9 are reported to have had contact with poultry. However some cases reportedly have not had such contact. Close contacts of confirmed H7N9 patients are being followed to determine whether any human-to-human spread of H7N9 is occurring. No sustained person-to-person spread of the H7N9 virus has been found at this time.
Post Date: 05/09/13
H7N9 found in another environment sample
The sample was taken from a local poultry market in Fujian Province, bringing the total number of samples tested H7N9-positive to 52 in the country, the ministry said.
H7N9 found in another environment sample
The sample was taken from a local poultry market in Fujian Province, bringing the total number of samples tested H7N9-positive to 52 in the country, the ministry said.
Early results show 13 times more H7N9 virus is needed to elicit a protective immune response than is needed for ordinary flu!
Post Date: 05/09/13
US invokes emergency act to keep H7N9 flu at bay
THE US government has declared that H7N9 bird flu "poses a significant potential for a public health emergency", and has given "emergency use authorisation" for diagnostic kits for the virus. This means tests can be used that haven't gone through the usual lengthy approval process by the US Food and Drug Administration.
US invokes emergency act to keep H7N9 flu at bay
THE US government has declared that H7N9 bird flu "poses a significant potential for a public health emergency", and has given "emergency use authorisation" for diagnostic kits for the virus. This means tests can be used that haven't gone through the usual lengthy approval process by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Post Date: 05/09/13
New bird flu strain 'one of most lethal' influenza viruses
A new type of bird flu that has killed 22 people in China since March is one of the most deadly strains of influenza known, international health experts said on Wednesday.
New bird flu strain 'one of most lethal' influenza viruses
A new type of bird flu that has killed 22 people in China since March is one of the most deadly strains of influenza known, international health experts said on Wednesday.
Post Date: 05/08/13
Threat to measles elimination plans
Outbreaks of measles are putting Europe's commitment to eliminate the disease by 2015 under threat, the World Health Organization has warned.
Threat to measles elimination plans
Outbreaks of measles are putting Europe's commitment to eliminate the disease by 2015 under threat, the World Health Organization has warned.
Post Date: 05/08/13
France confirms 1st case of new SARS-related virus
The patient fell ill after returning from a nine-day vacation in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates as part of a package tour, the Health Ministry said. Jean-Yves Grall, the French government health director, said the patient is in "worrying condition" under isolation and medical surveillance, receiving respiratory assistance and blood transfusions.
France confirms 1st case of new SARS-related virus
The patient fell ill after returning from a nine-day vacation in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates as part of a package tour, the Health Ministry said. Jean-Yves Grall, the French government health director, said the patient is in "worrying condition" under isolation and medical surveillance, receiving respiratory assistance and blood transfusions.
Post Date: 05/06/13
Fever hits thousands in parched West farm region
California and federal public health officials say valley fever, a potentially lethal but often misdiagnosed disease infecting more and more people around the nation, has been on the rise as warming climates and drought have kicked up the dust that spreads it.
Fever hits thousands in parched West farm region
California and federal public health officials say valley fever, a potentially lethal but often misdiagnosed disease infecting more and more people around the nation, has been on the rise as warming climates and drought have kicked up the dust that spreads it.
Post Date: 05/02/13
Scientists confirm new H7N9 bird flu has come from chickens
Chinese scientists have confirmed for the first time that a new strain of bird flu that has killed 23 people in China has been transmitted to humans from chickens.
Scientists confirm new H7N9 bird flu has come from chickens
Chinese scientists have confirmed for the first time that a new strain of bird flu that has killed 23 people in China has been transmitted to humans from chickens.
Post Date: 05/02/13
Some Asian governments tighten airport controls on bird flu fears
Several governments in Asia have ordered tougher screening of air travelers from China in an effort to contain a possible spread of a new strain of bird flu that has killed 23 people in the mainland and infected one visitor from Taiwan.
Some Asian governments tighten airport controls on bird flu fears
Several governments in Asia have ordered tougher screening of air travelers from China in an effort to contain a possible spread of a new strain of bird flu that has killed 23 people in the mainland and infected one visitor from Taiwan.
About 1 in 5 people who catch H7N9 will die!
H5N1 fatality rate is higher!
H5N1 fatality rate is higher!
Post Date: 05/02/13
H7N9 bird flu is a 'serious threat' - researchers warn
H7N9 bird flu is a 'serious threat' - researchers warn
Post Date: 05/02/13
Europe's top flu expert on alert for bird flu spread
Europe's top flu expert on alert for bird flu spread
Last year there were more academic papers published on snowboarding than human extinction.
Post Date: 04/19/13
New bird flu spread quietly, study suggests
New bird flu spread quietly, study suggests
Post Date: 04/17/13
No poultry contact in some China bird flu cases: WHO
No poultry contact in some China bird flu cases: WHO
Post Date: 04/09/13
Analysis: Public doubt on bird flu a ghost of China's past
Analysis: Public doubt on bird flu a ghost of China's past
Post Date: 04/06/13
Will the CDC's Bird Flu Vaccine Work if the Virus Mutates?
Will the CDC's Bird Flu Vaccine Work if the Virus Mutates?
Post Date: 04/05/13
China culls birds as flu deaths mount; airline shares fall
Comment: I would like to take a few moments and share a bit of my knowledge (which is not much) about the dangers about this and future outbreaks. I just ask the reader to keep an open mind and accept some of the things I am sharing as being accurate. If you have doubts about what I am saying, please do your own research.
If memory serves, a number of years ago in Australia, researches stumbled across a way to make viruses extremely virulent. I read about this in New Scientists and seem to recall that it had a 100% lethal rate with rabbits. It turned out that it was very simple and easy to do for somebody who had a bit a training. It was so easy that the researchers decided not to publish how they did it. I seem to recall that it had something to do with smallpox.
This was not the first incident. In another similar but separate case, somebody actually took a deadly virus and released it on a island off the coast of Australia in order to wipe out rabbits that were considered a pest. The virus did its job and the authorities never found out who did it.
Since then, more research by other scientist has occurred as my last post on this thread confirms. Scientists have learned a lot more and were not even counting what happened during the cold war with a Russian researcher who now works for our Government. The point I am making is that we have a better understanding about viruses now. I just happen to know about these stories and I keep track of them.
Now lets look at what is going on in China.
One of the stories that I read about and have never been able to verify or confirm is alarming. The story goes that a previously unknown virus sprang up that had Chinese authorities terrified. They sent in the military and surrounded the small town and contained the outbreak. It was done with bulldozers and the people and town no longer exist.
A few years later, another virus broke out called SARS and the Chinese were not so successful in covering that up or stopping it from spreading around the world. Around this time, a flu outbreak occurred in the Hong Kong area, massive bird culls are credited with preventing a serious pandemic. The point being is that China is a source for some of the flu epidemics as a result of people and livestock living so closely together.
Recently, hundreds of dead pigs have been found in a river in China. When I read about it, I figured that something was going on. So we now have a new out break and it really doesn't matter if it is connected with dead pigs being found in a river or not. The real issue is what farmers have been doing to protect their livestock and one of the things was feeding generic antivirals and antibiotics to their livestock. This is why these defenses are becoming useless to us and they were not that good to begin with.
Now keep in mind that they have people, chickens and pigs in close proximity in very crowded environments. Then throw in the fact that H1N1 is endemic to the area and that they have been using vaccines that don't cure it but only mask the problem. So now a new flu virus comes along, H7N9 that does not cause noticeable symptoms in livestock and they already know that it has mixed with other viruses. So our scientist know that these flu viruses will recombine into something else. It is only a matter of time!
So what is my point?
Go back and read about what our scientists learned about making a deadly virus. What they found out terrifies them. H1N1... the virus that they have been scared about for years and years and this new virus H7N9... are only one or two steps away from turning into a deadly threat. In a laboratory, they turned H1N1 into a super virus and discovered that it was easy. They discovered that it was incredibly easy. They realized that there is no logical reason why this couldn't happen naturally.
Hold your thumb and pointer finger about a half inch from each other. Our scientists have know for several years, that's how close we are to having a major pandemic!
China culls birds as flu deaths mount; airline shares fall
Comment: I would like to take a few moments and share a bit of my knowledge (which is not much) about the dangers about this and future outbreaks. I just ask the reader to keep an open mind and accept some of the things I am sharing as being accurate. If you have doubts about what I am saying, please do your own research.
If memory serves, a number of years ago in Australia, researches stumbled across a way to make viruses extremely virulent. I read about this in New Scientists and seem to recall that it had a 100% lethal rate with rabbits. It turned out that it was very simple and easy to do for somebody who had a bit a training. It was so easy that the researchers decided not to publish how they did it. I seem to recall that it had something to do with smallpox.
This was not the first incident. In another similar but separate case, somebody actually took a deadly virus and released it on a island off the coast of Australia in order to wipe out rabbits that were considered a pest. The virus did its job and the authorities never found out who did it.
Since then, more research by other scientist has occurred as my last post on this thread confirms. Scientists have learned a lot more and were not even counting what happened during the cold war with a Russian researcher who now works for our Government. The point I am making is that we have a better understanding about viruses now. I just happen to know about these stories and I keep track of them.
Now lets look at what is going on in China.
One of the stories that I read about and have never been able to verify or confirm is alarming. The story goes that a previously unknown virus sprang up that had Chinese authorities terrified. They sent in the military and surrounded the small town and contained the outbreak. It was done with bulldozers and the people and town no longer exist.
A few years later, another virus broke out called SARS and the Chinese were not so successful in covering that up or stopping it from spreading around the world. Around this time, a flu outbreak occurred in the Hong Kong area, massive bird culls are credited with preventing a serious pandemic. The point being is that China is a source for some of the flu epidemics as a result of people and livestock living so closely together.
Recently, hundreds of dead pigs have been found in a river in China. When I read about it, I figured that something was going on. So we now have a new out break and it really doesn't matter if it is connected with dead pigs being found in a river or not. The real issue is what farmers have been doing to protect their livestock and one of the things was feeding generic antivirals and antibiotics to their livestock. This is why these defenses are becoming useless to us and they were not that good to begin with.
Now keep in mind that they have people, chickens and pigs in close proximity in very crowded environments. Then throw in the fact that H1N1 is endemic to the area and that they have been using vaccines that don't cure it but only mask the problem. So now a new flu virus comes along, H7N9 that does not cause noticeable symptoms in livestock and they already know that it has mixed with other viruses. So our scientist know that these flu viruses will recombine into something else. It is only a matter of time!
So what is my point?
Go back and read about what our scientists learned about making a deadly virus. What they found out terrifies them. H1N1... the virus that they have been scared about for years and years and this new virus H7N9... are only one or two steps away from turning into a deadly threat. In a laboratory, they turned H1N1 into a super virus and discovered that it was easy. They discovered that it was incredibly easy. They realized that there is no logical reason why this couldn't happen naturally.
Hold your thumb and pointer finger about a half inch from each other. Our scientists have know for several years, that's how close we are to having a major pandemic!
Post Date: 04/04/13
Scientists race to gauge pandemic risk of new bird flu
Scientists race to gauge pandemic risk of new bird flu
Post Date: 04/03/13
Scientists: China bird virus likely silent threat
Comment: I would not panic over this developing Avian Flu H7N9 situation but this is something that people should be aware of and have a backup plan ready in case things start getting worse.
Current reports suggest that H7N9 is a mixture (gene re-assortment) of three different viruses. This is not good and suggests that additional re-assortment is not only possible but ongoing. It really does not take much for a flu virus to become very deadly and virulent.
Now the key words to keep in mind when reading any report about this situation are - could, perhaps, maybe, if and possibly. These are key words because they mean that nothing has happened yet and that they just don't know what will happen. People forget that the news media likes to use these words to scare people. I feel that the more informed you are, the less scared you will be!
The only thing known for sure is that one day, there will be a pandemic similar to the 1917 -1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic. This is the only reason why I pay attention to reports about new outbreaks. I am just trying to stay informed and I look for certain and very specific signs. If I don't see these specific warnings, then I just don't worry about what the news reports say!
Anyway, when you are not busy, please look over the following news reports. If you live in another country and can not read English well, please use a translator. They are not perfect but they will help you get a rough idea as to what is being reported.
Scientists: China bird virus likely silent threat
Comment: I would not panic over this developing Avian Flu H7N9 situation but this is something that people should be aware of and have a backup plan ready in case things start getting worse.
Current reports suggest that H7N9 is a mixture (gene re-assortment) of three different viruses. This is not good and suggests that additional re-assortment is not only possible but ongoing. It really does not take much for a flu virus to become very deadly and virulent.
Now the key words to keep in mind when reading any report about this situation are - could, perhaps, maybe, if and possibly. These are key words because they mean that nothing has happened yet and that they just don't know what will happen. People forget that the news media likes to use these words to scare people. I feel that the more informed you are, the less scared you will be!
The only thing known for sure is that one day, there will be a pandemic similar to the 1917 -1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic. This is the only reason why I pay attention to reports about new outbreaks. I am just trying to stay informed and I look for certain and very specific signs. If I don't see these specific warnings, then I just don't worry about what the news reports say!
Anyway, when you are not busy, please look over the following news reports. If you live in another country and can not read English well, please use a translator. They are not perfect but they will help you get a rough idea as to what is being reported.
Post Date: 03/17/13
The Infection You Don't Want to Catch
Comment: I would strongly advise the reader not to use antibiotic soaps or cleaners. Plain soap and water for hands and a 1 to 10 bleach/water ratio for cleaning the bathroom is fine. Having a little dirt and germs in your life is a good thing and will help keep your immune system strong.
The Infection You Don't Want to Catch
Comment: I would strongly advise the reader not to use antibiotic soaps or cleaners. Plain soap and water for hands and a 1 to 10 bleach/water ratio for cleaning the bathroom is fine. Having a little dirt and germs in your life is a good thing and will help keep your immune system strong.
Roxarsone
(a source for arsenic)
is used in 88 percent of domestically produced chickens grown for meat
(a source for arsenic)
is used in 88 percent of domestically produced chickens grown for meat
30 million pounds of antibiotics are used in industrial farming annually
Post Date: 02/13/13
Foreign doctors killed in north-eastern Nigeria
Comment: With attacks on Doctors, Nurses and Volunteers, it won't be long until these areas have epidemics and pandemics. You remove the front line defenses, then the population will suffer and this is being done in the name of religion.
Foreign doctors killed in north-eastern Nigeria
Comment: With attacks on Doctors, Nurses and Volunteers, it won't be long until these areas have epidemics and pandemics. You remove the front line defenses, then the population will suffer and this is being done in the name of religion.
Post Date: 02/12/13
Second UK case of 'Sars-like' coronavirus identified
Second UK case of 'Sars-like' coronavirus identified
Post Date: 02/12/13
Rumors of plot to sterilize Muslims with polio vaccine spark killings in Pakistan
Rumors of plot to sterilize Muslims with polio vaccine spark killings in Pakistan
Post Date: 01/26/13
The Rise of Superbugs Called 'Apocalyptic Scenario'
The Rise of Superbugs Called 'Apocalyptic Scenario'
If people are still alive 100 or 200 years from now. If our species has not gone extinct, they will not be living the way we do now. They will not be thinking the way we do now!
Post Date: 01/10/13
New strain of winter vomiting bug norovirus: Sydney 2012
Comment: As our world becomes more crowded, we will see an increase in "New" viruses and diseases!
New strain of winter vomiting bug norovirus: Sydney 2012
Comment: As our world becomes more crowded, we will see an increase in "New" viruses and diseases!
Post Date: 01/10/13
Flu leads to Texas teen's death
Flu leads to Texas teen's death
Post Date: 01/10/13
Flu Kills 4 Seniors, Sickens 700 in Boston
Flu Kills 4 Seniors, Sickens 700 in Boston
Post Date: 01/09/13
Flu season has Boston declaring health emergency
Flu season has Boston declaring health emergency
Post Date: 01/8/13
FACTBOX: The economics of a flu epidemic
FACTBOX: The economics of a flu epidemic
Post Date: 12/26/12
HPV tied to throat cancers: study
HPV tied to throat cancers: study
Post Date: 12/07/12
Large dengue fever outbreak in Madeira spreads cases in Europe
Large dengue fever outbreak in Madeira spreads cases in Europe
Post Date: 08/12/12
Dallas County allows aerial spraying for 1st time in decades to fight West Nile virus outbreak
Comment: In the area that I live, cases of West Nile Virus reports are increasing!
Dallas County allows aerial spraying for 1st time in decades to fight West Nile virus outbreak
Comment: In the area that I live, cases of West Nile Virus reports are increasing!
Post Date: 08/12/12
Mexico destroys 8 Million chickens amid bird flu outbreak
Comment: H7N3 is the virus that cause Mexico to take this action. It was not the H5N1 virus. This shows that the threat from a avian flu virus causing a major pandemic is very real. This is not an if or maybe, this is a matter of when!
Mexico destroys 8 Million chickens amid bird flu outbreak
Comment: H7N3 is the virus that cause Mexico to take this action. It was not the H5N1 virus. This shows that the threat from a avian flu virus causing a major pandemic is very real. This is not an if or maybe, this is a matter of when!
Post Date: 08/12/12
Bird flu claims ninth victim this year in Indonesia
Comment: Avian Flu, H5N1, or also known as 'bird flu' still has the potential to become a major pandemic flu. Current research has shown that only two or three minor changes in the genetic makeup of the virus is needed for it to become a major threat. Researchers have commented that there is nothing in nature preventing this happening on its own!
Bird flu claims ninth victim this year in Indonesia
Comment: Avian Flu, H5N1, or also known as 'bird flu' still has the potential to become a major pandemic flu. Current research has shown that only two or three minor changes in the genetic makeup of the virus is needed for it to become a major threat. Researchers have commented that there is nothing in nature preventing this happening on its own!
Post Date: 07/03/12
China reports bird flu outbreak
China reports bird flu outbreak
02:05 UTC (EST+5) Apr 27, 2012
U.S. 313,436,381
World 7,009,618,551
Comment: Do you really think that this can continue?
Nature has ways of keeping populations in check and we won't like it when it happens!
U.S. 313,436,381
World 7,009,618,551
Comment: Do you really think that this can continue?
Nature has ways of keeping populations in check and we won't like it when it happens!
Post Date: 04/21/12
Vietnam seeks foreign help to beat mystery skin disease
Vietnam seeks foreign help to beat mystery skin disease
Post Date: 03/08/12
Group asks FDA to treat super-bugs like rare diseases
Group asks FDA to treat super-bugs like rare diseases
Post Date: 02/20/12
Experts delay call on releasing controversial H5N1 work
"They showed that the H5N1 virus could relatively easily mutate into a form that could spread rapidly among the human population"
Post Date: 01/17/12
No magic bullet on the flu
Comment: This does not place the drug manufactures in a good position and I wonder if Tamiflu is nothing more than a placebo.
Post Date: 01/17/02
First bird flu victim of year clings to life
Post Date: 01/17/12
Indian TB cases 'can't be cured'
Post Date: 01/16/12
Dying crows deny India is bird flu free
Post Date: 01/06/12
2 more dead birds in Hong Kong test positive for deadly H5N1, raising health fears
Comment: Too many people have cried wolf about a 'Pandemic Flu' occurring, so many times now that people just don't believe it will ever happen!
"Louis Pasteur's theory of germs is ridiculous fiction."
-- Pierre Pachet, Professor of Physiology at Toulouse , 1872
Factoid - Tetanus
From 2001-2008 - 49% of the 233 Tetanus cases reported were among persons 50+ years of age and 31% were among persons 65+ years of age.
Source: CDC - Tetanus Prevention After a Disaster
Post Date: 01/03/12
Hong Kong on Alert Over Bird Flu
Comment: It is not a question of 'IF' -- it is more like "WHEN?"
Post Date: 01/03/12
Legionnaires' disease found at HK government complex
Comment: How long before a bad outbreak occurs?
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