Title: Way off topic - bird flu
Post by: davethebirdman on October 23, 2005, 12:34:25 am
Hi all
was just wondering how the "Bird Flu" problem was being handled in the US.
Over here the media have whipped us all up into a frenzy with talk of Pandemic and as much as 700,000 deaths.
It looks like we also have our first diagnosis. The health Minister is on record as saying it will definately arrive and definately mutate.
Very worrying, and I'm normally a calm rational sort of person.
Dave
UK first case of Bird Flu
was just wondering how the "Bird Flu" problem was being handled in the US.
Over here the media have whipped us all up into a frenzy with talk of Pandemic and as much as 700,000 deaths.
It looks like we also have our first diagnosis. The health Minister is on record as saying it will definately arrive and definately mutate.
Very worrying, and I'm normally a calm rational sort of person.
Dave
UK first case of Bird Flu
Title: Way off topic - bird flu
Post by: halehouse on October 23, 2005, 07:19:53 am
I know of it. I don't think of it as daily news. Not headline, but I've heard of it. That is how I feel anyhow. I haven't really thought about it.
Title: Way off topic - bird flu
Post by: aspbear on October 23, 2005, 08:20:12 am
Hi Dave, there have been reports on the news in the U.S. on the bird flu and the potential for a global disaster but no real planning has gone into affect. I also work for a police agency (30 years with the state police) and I can remember another round of a bird virus back in the eighties where we were actually involved in blocking shipments from outside our state. Arkansas is HQ for Tysons Foods (worlds largest producer) and I look for this to be a repeat of the eighties within a few months. No major panic here yet but when this begins to spread (and it will) there will be some major disruptions of US poultry industry. That said it should not effect the cost of soda 
Title: Way off topic - bird flu
Post by: davethebirdman on October 23, 2005, 02:56:42 pm
I was wondering how it was dealt with from State to State.
One of the contingency plans in the UK (Which is way behind most of our European Brothers)
is to completely close all borders if & when it does hit. A complete shutdown. Nobody in & nobody out.
As an Island it might just be possible. I would imagine once its all been and gone the compensation for something like that would be enormous.
The press at the moment seem to be playing Domesday Senarios. If it follows the same rules as the last major pandemic in 1918 the people most likely to be hit will be the 20-40 yr olds. This obviously would have a major impact on the infrastructure of the country and is likely to push the price of a bottle of Diet Coke through the roof.
Dave
One of the contingency plans in the UK (Which is way behind most of our European Brothers)
is to completely close all borders if & when it does hit. A complete shutdown. Nobody in & nobody out.
As an Island it might just be possible. I would imagine once its all been and gone the compensation for something like that would be enormous.
The press at the moment seem to be playing Domesday Senarios. If it follows the same rules as the last major pandemic in 1918 the people most likely to be hit will be the 20-40 yr olds. This obviously would have a major impact on the infrastructure of the country and is likely to push the price of a bottle of Diet Coke through the roof.
Dave
Title: Way off topic - bird flu
Post by: jasmine64 on October 23, 2005, 04:37:39 pm
Yes, closing the boarders would be an option. I have heard reference
to the 1995 movie "Outbreak" to describe what it could be like,
without all the drama like in the movie.
Hope it never comes to that.
to the 1995 movie "Outbreak" to describe what it could be like,
without all the drama like in the movie.
Hope it never comes to that.
Title: Way off topic - bird flu
Post by: aspbear on October 23, 2005, 04:44:01 pm
Yes it will be much harder to control in the states because the growers are spread out into other states and some have to transport into an adjoining state for processing. That is what will be closed and if they do not have an in state process the poultry will have to be destroyed. In the eighties they actually organized a seperate police force and they were called the chicken police. I am not kidding that was there name and they actually carried weapons, I always wondered why they were carrying pistols but I guess they could run into a angry chicken.....Lots of luck...
Title: Way off topic - bird flu
Post by: Creighton on October 23, 2005, 04:51:21 pm
Quite a bit of talk about the issue on the radio. CA. officials seem to have a "can't happen here" attitude. Time will tell.
Creighton
Creighton
Title: Way off topic - bird flu
Post by: jasmine64 on October 23, 2005, 04:54:15 pm
Doesnt the migration flight path start in asia and cross the Nort West
and migrate down and across in the winter?
and migrate down and across in the winter?
Title: Way off topic - bird flu
Post by: Creighton on October 23, 2005, 05:04:38 pm
Don't know about the bird flight path. Here's a news link:
CA. bird flu
Last paragraph worries me.
Creighton
CA. bird flu
Last paragraph worries me.
Creighton
Title: Way off topic - bird flu
Post by: aspbear on October 23, 2005, 07:14:41 pm
I am sure the goverment and the poultry industry will do what they can to halt the spread but truth is all it takes is one slip up. Sounds like England got it from a parrot. They say this new tamuflu has the potential of at least slowing the spread down. I know Tyson's is already taking steps to decrease the possibilty of infection. FOR NOW I SAY EAT MORE BEEF AND DRINK COKES 
Title: Way off topic - bird flu
Post by: on October 23, 2005, 09:57:45 pm
The government is already concerned and looking into what it can do. Some new rules for being able to quarantine travelers already issued. Bird flu a worry, people version a disaster.