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Bird Flu: Don't Panic, Prepare!
Remember the panic over West Nile Virus?
Can you feel the Avian Flu tension building?
There needs to be a reality check. Perhaps there have been 40-100 worldwide human deaths, but nobody knows the total number of human Avian Flu infections. It is likely six or seven digits.
Like any flu outbreak, only the very sick seek medical assistance. The rest get better on their own.
Avian Flu is not Ebola! Its strain is very similar to this winter's seasonal influenza outbreak (which has also killed hundreds across the country, mostly older and susceptible folks). Many previous flu strains were originally tracked in other animals.
To summarize, nobody at HHS/CDC is talking Armageddon. We need to protect those at greatest risk. The rest of us will just deal with it.
Related Topics: Bird Flu FAQ, Flu Pandemic Guide: Stock Up on Basics
- Less than 1:100 infected stings caused infections
- Less than 1:100 infected people got sick
- Less than 1:100 who got sick went to the hospital
- Less than 1:100 hospitalized with WNV died from the disease!
Can you feel the Avian Flu tension building?
There needs to be a reality check. Perhaps there have been 40-100 worldwide human deaths, but nobody knows the total number of human Avian Flu infections. It is likely six or seven digits.
Like any flu outbreak, only the very sick seek medical assistance. The rest get better on their own.
Avian Flu is not Ebola! Its strain is very similar to this winter's seasonal influenza outbreak (which has also killed hundreds across the country, mostly older and susceptible folks). Many previous flu strains were originally tracked in other animals.
To summarize, nobody at HHS/CDC is talking Armageddon. We need to protect those at greatest risk. The rest of us will just deal with it.
Related Topics: Bird Flu FAQ, Flu Pandemic Guide: Stock Up on Basics
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