Bird Flu - should we be worried?

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 23 Oct 2005, 14:45

I was thinking about the news that a parrot died from bird flu (what's it proper name?) in the UK, after being imported from S. America. Should be worried? We don't yet know whether the strain that the parrot died from is the same one which can be harmful to humans.

60 people (I think) have died in Asia but Asia has a population of 2 billion. Still 1 death is too many

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 23 Oct 2005, 16:38

I don't think we should be worried. Aware perhaps, but the media are totally exaggerating. Especially with headlines like "omg we're all gonna die" (not far off

). Typical scaremongering rubbish.

There are plenty of other big killers. Just because this is relatively new and unknown, the media think that they can cause fear and panic. Remember the Sars epidemic? What a joke.

I'm more worried every time I get into a car.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 23 Oct 2005, 16:40

I think we should be concerned at this stage... and wait to see what happens next.

I'd like to think the government are doing what they can in preperation.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 23 Oct 2005, 17:01

Concerned yes but I agree with Bisc, seems an overreaction by the media

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 24 Oct 2005, 12:06

An overreaction by the media is kind of inevitable for anything like this...but given the fact there is indeed no vaccine for this and the possibility of it somehow being introduced in other countries is deffinetly existent..i think there is certainly cause for concern.

Just think of being in a situation like the town in that movie Outbreak. It may seem silly to think of it that way, but its honestly not too far off from what could happen if this bird flu gets out of hand.

biguy · Post by **biguy** » 17 Nov 2005, 16:48

Try living over here boys.......

Then you will have some fun with it!!!!!

I think that the MAD COW thing you Brits had a few years back was similar level of confusion too no?

How is the MAD COW situation going now?

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 17 Nov 2005, 19:05

biguy wrote:Try living over here boys.......

Then you will have some fun with it!!!!!

I think that the MAD COW thing you Brits had a few years back was similar level of confusion too no?

How is the MAD COW situation going now?

Mark still seems affected by it a bit, but otherwise it's pretty much gine now I guess...

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 17 Nov 2005, 19:06

The Mad Cow situation has long passed. Since then we've had the Foot in Mouth crisis. That's passed too. Looks like Bird Flu maybe next? Hope not.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 17 Nov 2005, 19:48

Well.. I havent been in contact with any sneezing birds yet, so I guess I'm still safe...

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 17 Nov 2005, 21:37

I wouldn't recommend getting vaccinated.

Mordib · Post by **Mordib** » 18 Nov 2005, 06:25

the whole case for bird flu rests on the idea that it could mutate so that it could be transmitted from person to person. The best I can get from anyone into the whole biology thing is that this is theoretically possible. Not that theres anything to suggest it actually will, just that it is possible.

Well living in birmingham its slightly more than possible that i'm going to be hit by a badly driven bus one of these days, as such i'm afraid i just can't get into the whole 'oh my god bird flu is coming!!' thing. maybe it is, maybe there is life on other planets, maybe i have too much hair growing on my toes... no reason for the world to get hysterical about it...

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 18 Nov 2005, 14:47

A boy in China has it now.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 18 Nov 2005, 15:56

I guess now is not the right time to say that I've recently adopted a seagull.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 18 Nov 2005, 16:13

Awww, it's lovely...

biguy · Post by **biguy** » 18 Nov 2005, 18:25

Just wait until it turns into a mutant monster from a 1980's Italain gore movie and starts infecting people