Bird Flu? - just a rant...

MyLuvBugs wrote: Ok. So my husband seems to think that we're all going to get the bird flu and that it's going to turn into this HUGE pandemic and millions and millions will die. I looked at him when he said that last night, and said "Do you raise or slaughter chickens?Ah No...Then we probably won't get it!"

I mean really! It's the BIRD FLU. I do realize that it has been transmitted to humans and that some have died from it. Were they in America...NO. Were they raising and slaughtering chickens...YES... Ok then! It just seems like every flippin year there's some "new" illness out there and the stupid media gets a hold of it and starts blowing it completely out of proportion to totally scare the public. Then there is a mad rush on medical clinics for vaccines which causes shortages, or people stop eating beef or chicken or pork for fear of getting a strange new disease.

Why can't the media simply say "There is a new strain of bird flu travelling around the world. XX number of people have died. If you raise poultry, you must be made aware of the risks and must get vaccinated as soon as possible. Please consult with your doctor if you have come in contact with a bird that might be carrying the disease. All the rest of you, calm down, you won't get it."

Sorry. I just had to get that off my chest. Feel free to say whatever you like, this is only my opinion.

gr33n3y3z replied: I dont see any reason to worry as of now

when they come out with the vaccine it will be egg based and wont be able to have it any way LOL thats my luck

PrairieMom replied: The problem is that saying " don't worry folks, you won't get it" isn't good for ratings. Much better to creat mass hystaria. My OB doc is making me get the flu shot partly because of it. What ever.
He asked me if I was worried about it at all, due to the profession I am in (Respiratory Care) and I told him no, but if it comes here, I hope I get it first! I Sure don't want to be working in the hospital with that going on!

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Actually, I heard it IS in America. I heard that it's been found in some parts of British Columbia.

I'm still not worried though. Yet.

C&K*s Mommie replied: ITA with you *amomsjob*. Same thing every year, when there is not much going on in the news that subheadline making story take centerstage. I turn the channel when talk turns to that, or other non-essential news takes over (i.e. 'the gang of 14'--- not very interesting IMHO )

5littleladies replied:
It isn't yet as far as I've heard, and I keep pretty close track of the news.

I get frustrated with the over-hype about stuff like this too. When it is actually close to affecting me, then let me know-until that time, just shush about it. I don't need the added worry-Thank you very much!

redchief replied: For all you ever wanted to know about the Avian Influenza Virus and more go to:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/

Regarding the report of an incidence of avian flu virus in the Americas. CDC reported a single patient was treated for H7N2 Avian Flu in New York in Nov. 2003 (that isn't the one everyone is worried about; it's rarely deadly). Health Canada reported two cases of H7N3 in Feb. 2004, both in poultry workers. No human to human transmission was reported in any cases.

A&A'smommy replied: Yeah I'm not worried about it YET since its not here and they are taking LOTS Of precautions I was worried at first but it doesn't really seem to be a threat yet to us yet.

jcc64 replied: ITA about the "disease of the month"- it most certainly is good for ratings to whip everyone into a frenzy. As of right now, the disease only affects people if they come into direct contact with infected birds. However, any virus has the potential to mutate, and should this particular strain develop the ability to jump from human to human, the results will probably be catastrophic. Drs like my brother have been concerned about this for some time now, he first mentioned it to me 3 or 4 yrs ago. Unlike other flu strains, we humans have no immunity whatsoever, and the weakest among us will succumb.
What can we do about it at this point? Not much, so there's no use getting hysterical. But it's good to be aware of what's going on around us, globally speaking, b/c we no longer have the luxury of believeing anything on the other side of the world won't eventually wind up here as well.

redchief replied:
You're right there. Unfortunately this tiny planet only gets smaller. I also know what you mean about the catastrophe a mutated virus would cause, but the media has definitely blown this way out of proportion. I think a big reason they've keyed on it so much is the money being spent here and around the world to try and develop a defense for a bug that isn't even mutated to allow for human transmission yet. Like you said, if it mutates and becomes a human disease, we have no defense against it.

MyLuvBugs replied:
Yeah. I haven't heard that it's in America yet, but that they're just running tests in certain areas. But if it's not right in my town, then why worry I say!

MyLuvBugs replied:
I agree. It is something to take into consideration and it can be a deadly mutating disease. But the media's reports on it crack me up! Over the last few years they've caused such panic about Ebola, AIDS, Mad Cow...I mean give me a break!

Diseases have been around since time began, and even though we think we've erraticated most of them, we really haven't. Old diseases like Small pox and the Boubonic (sp?) Plague could still pop up somewhere and kill millions. But the media has to focus on all the new little things. Personally, I like living in ignorance. Keeps me out of trouble.

Besides if we spend every waking minute of the day worrying about it and trying to protect ourselves, then we've just wasted a lot of our life living in fear. I'm sorry but I just can't do that. I've got too much other crap to do. lol