Jim;
Last night on the National Geographic Channel there were
two shows [that were aired] back to back that were of interest to
anyone in the survival community.
1. Avian Flu Pandemic detailed the history of the bug and the 1997
outbreak in Hong Kong. It showed the spread across Southeast Asia
and the methods that are being used to control the spread. Discussed
the
use of Tamaflu as a treatment and how most governments are reluctant
to stockpile it until there is an obvious need. A World Health Organization
scientist stated that when such a pandemic does occur it will be
too late to stockpile an the only way to survive will be
to stay home and take care of your own family. Stated that
we will be reduced to the basic human unit "the family".
Also talked about a case that is believed to be human to human transmission.
This case
was believed to be transmitted to a family member in close contact
with a sick girl who had caught the virus while playing near diseased
chickens. This girl's aunt survived the disease, but the girl did
not. Also stated that a problem with developing a vaccine for humans
is
that since [fertile] eggs are used to grow flu virus for vaccine
production the eggs are killed by the virus when it is injected into
the eggs. The eggs are vulnerable to the virus just as the chickens
are.
2.The other program was on Biological Terrorist Attack. This program
went through the list of the Center for Disease Control's top six
dirty bugs of germ warfare. Very eye opening and very chilling.
Anyway, all this spiked my interest so this morning I went to the
National Geographic web site and was looking for more information
about Bird Flu. I found a link on the news page to two stories on
bird flue that should interest everyone.
1. Bird flu vaccine helps stop the spread of the disease in chickens.
2.Bird flu fears cause spike in the sale of Star Anise Spice.
This spice is used in the manufacture of Tamaflu according to this
article and people in Asia and the U. S. are buying it as a herbal
medicine for use against the
flu.
The link is: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/ (Scroll
down to "Health")
OBTW, scroll on down to: Pulse of the Planet. See the article titled: Southwest
Rodent Boom to Cause Deadly Hantavirus Outbreak
The article says that in roughly one year to eighteen months after
a wet winter as we had in the southwest in 2005 causes a boom in rodent
population
and so more contact between deceased mice and humans increasing the
cases of the disease among humans. Stated that the summer of 2005
already showed a rise in the reported number of cases. Thirty-six
percent of
human cases are fatal. This should start us all thinking more about
rodent control around our stored food, et cetera.
Thanks again for all of your great work in providing this site
and for all the very much needed information that is shared by
everyone
here. Count on a donation from me to help with the blog's cost
in the very near future. Long Life, - Overhill
