World leaders are ignoring the threat of an influenza pandemic that could infect a billion people and reach New Zealand within hours of an outbreak, scientists warn.
International experts have outlined a disastrous scenario if the threat from the virulent H5N1 strain of Asian bird flu is not taken seriously.
The flu, which first surfaced in poultry in Hong Kong and China eight years ago, has killed 37 people in Vietnam, 12 in Thailand and four in Cambodia. A new outbreak has been reported in China.
Global health officials fear it may mutate into a lethal strain that could rival the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic that killed between 20 million and 40 million people.
Ref. Source 3k
As will always be, humanity is doomed to repeat its same mistakes over and over until evolution either kills us or we adapt. Two flu epidemics that killed over a million people and still the world will not take a new flu virus seriously enough to come together and form a plan. Aids was largely ignored also until it started spreading rampantly among heterosexuals. By the time we form an international task force that is well funded, it will be to late to stop the pandemic of any virus. Humanity has proven that we will wait until something horrible happens to make a change.
Worst flu outbreak in decade to cost $10bn
CDC says 47 states are now reporting 'widespread' influenza activity, creating a drag on the economy and pressure on hospitals and insurer
Source: Pharmaceuticals companies news from the Financial Times
Influenza caused over twenty-one million deaths in 1918.
Influenza Viruses Can Hide From The Immune System
Science Related News
Influenza is able to mask itself, so that the virus is not initially detected by our immune system, a new study shows. The researchers behind the study hope that the discovery can be used to develop better treatment against influenza and chronic inflammation conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Source
Flu may be spread just by breathing. It is easier to spread the influenza virus (Flu) than previously thought, according to a new study. People commonly believe that they can catch the flu by exposure to droplets from an infected person's coughs or sneezes or by touching contaminated surfaces. But, new information about flu transmission reveals that we may pass the flu to others just by breathing. Source 8s.