Birdflu-Hype Or Real danger?

[Videoskooter]

My fellow worldcitizens! Is the world in danger? Will the human race be destroyed by our feathered friends? Or, is this a hype?

Fact is that many governments apparently take this question very serious. In Belgium you are not allowed to let your birds, chickens and all beasties that have feathers, walk or fly outdoors. The degustation of chicken, birds and eggs is not forbidden but it is strongly adviced to bake or cook them very well.

What do you boyz and girlz think? Are we facing our final destiny?

[paul]

Here's your answer:

October 28, 2005
Rumsfeld to Avoid Bird-Flu Drug Issues
By THE NEW YORK TIMES
WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has recused himself from government decisions concerning medications to prevent or treat avian flu, rather than sell his stock holdings in the company that patented the antiviral agent Tamiflu, according to a Pentagon memorandum issued Thursday.

The memorandum, to Mr. Rumsfeld's staff from the Pentagon general counsel, said the defense secretary would not take part in decisions that may affect his financial interests in Gilead Sciences Inc.

Before becoming defense secretary in January 2001, Mr. Rumsfeld was chairman of Gilead. On each of his annual financial disclosure statements, he has listed continued stock holdings in the company.

Gilead holds the patent on Tamiflu, but contracts for it are signed with an American subsidiary of F. Hoffman-LaRoche Ltd., which holds marketing and manufacturing rights.

Mr. Rumsfeld will remain involved in matters related to the Pentagon response to an outbreak, so long as none affect Gilead.

[Videoskooter]

Yes Paul, Belgians are rushing to their pharmacists to get Tamiflu which is almost out of stock here. That's why the government has asked the manufacturer to give his formula to others so the production can be assured.

Now, Tamiflu does not protect you from the virus H5N1, it can only be a help to fight the disease once you are infected. Nor do the current anti-flu vaccinations coz' the specific avian virus is not included in this mix. I've read that Russian scientists are close to a new vaccin.

[Angelina77]

This is actually an issue with me. I tend to stay clear of red meat and buy only chicken and seafood for myself and my kids. Then a while back I started noticing all of these warnings in the seafood department of all the supermarkets and meat markets around here in Hollywood and everywhere else. Mercury warnings, iodine consumption warnings so it really scared me into eating chicken more. Now that I'm a self proclaimed chicken expert now I'm scared to eat chicken. I really don't think we should ignore the warnings, but I'm sure if there was a serious danger we'd see the chickens flying back off the shelf, ha ha. I'm really thinking of being a vegetarian like my 7 yr old son. He doesn't care much for meat and I think I'm going to follow suit.

[Videoskooter]

Angelina, here the people who sell grilled chicken and breed chickens are already dropping their prizes dramatically coz' people don't want to eat 'em anymore. So this will bankrupt many of those merchants.

Now, considering that the really big problem is Asia right now where only a few people have died from the birdflu and considering the massive population over there I don't think we have to panic right now. The only real danger is when a person has the "normal" flu and then at the same time gets infected with the birdflu so that the virus can mutate and will be "transportable" from one human being to another.

Myself, I still eat chicken and eggs and I never take medication and certainly never Anti-Biotics. When I have a cold or a flu I stick to my late Grandmother's medication which is eating onions and lemons and the most effective drug ever: Garlic!

[soulsta]

wow the birdflu is scary totally. in america folks love some chinese food and til this day the lines are long from customers wanting their famous garlic chicken wings. the aroma is too hard for people to take on worrying about the risks unfortuneatly.

[originalbigm]

The possibility of getting bird flu from butcher or supermarket poultry is unlikely.It is exposure to live birds that present the possibility.Since we have fairly stringent inspection of poultry processors. Live birds infected with Avian flu would be discovered quickly.The issue is whether or not the virus can mutate to a form which can cause human to human transmission which has not happened yet.As long as it stays in the bird population I don't think we have to get too worried about it.The worst that will come of that is mass destruction of poultry populations where it is found
and a small number of people who may get infected by coming into contact with them.