German alarm over bird flu spread

[lovuian]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4730586.stm

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has termed as "serious" an outbreak of bird flu in the north of the country, as the lethal virus widens its global reach.
Speaking during a visit to the affected Baltic Sea island of Ruegen, Mrs Merkel said her government would do everything in its power to contain bird flu.

German soldiers are being sent to the area to help contain the outbreak, and nearby poultry stocks have been culled.

more...
Doesn't say where in Germany...

[sam sarrha]

1. if it kills off enough birds it will diminish the vector and maybe end the

possibility of a pandemic

[Maddy McCall]

3. Haven't carriers been identified?

[sam sarrha]

10. bird flu... birds

[Maddy McCall]

2. What's sad is that I think that the bird flu is going to be a serious....

pandemic when it morphs to being easily spread human-to-human.

But this presidential administration has relied on fearmongering to whip the masses into a lather--and, as in the story of the boy who cried wolf, those of us who see the way this administration has brokered fear are skeptical to believe that the avian flu could indeed be the next "big one."

Now, that said, I've laughed at many of the warnings and alerts over whatever crisis of the day this administration has put out. This time, I'm not laughing.

I believe that bird flu is coming. Hell, it's already in W. Europe. It's only a matter of time till it hops the pond.

I believe that when the disease mutates to being spread human-to-human, we are in for a horrific public health crisis. I don't think that Bush is playing this one up. I think, just like with Katrina, he's one unlucky president (who indeed has brought much of it on himself), and sadly his administration will again be ill-prepared to deal with this potential crisis.

No doubt is this administration guilty of fearmongering. But just because there's fearmongering going on doesn't mean that a potential crisis isn't imminent.

[lovuian]

4. My problem is food supply this is affecting food supply

to lots of people!!!

[Mojorabbit]

5. Yes those poor people especially

in Nigeria, India, and Iraq who are already malnourished and living in poverty...It is horrible.

[SaveElmer]

9. Right now...to me...that is the real tragedy...

One chicken doesn't sound like alot to us, but one chicken in Nigeria provides just about all the income that family has...it is very sad. I hope these other countries can do what Vietnam has managed. I see they are allowing farmers to start hatching and raising chickens again. They really have provided an example for the worl to follow.

[WhiteTara]

7. not only the direct food chain but birds

pollinate plants. We are in for some real terrible times. If we don't take care of our planet right now, we are going to kill ourselves in a most unpleasant way.

[mom cat]

8. He has already planned how the military will solve the problem:

They will shoot the viruses and all liberal carriers.

[sarcasmo]

13. Just hope it doesn't happen prior to 08. Martial Law is in this Regime's

Plans.

[neweurope]

6. It started with dead swans on the island of Rügen; now it's

also in neighboured state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (north-east of Germany). It seems to be traveling fast.

German authorities don't seem to be prepared well... *sigh* Everything is being done to contain it right now, but even though everybody has seen an epidemic coming there is not enough anti-viral medication.

-------------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[BooScout]

11. The news is full o Bird Flu over here........

I was watching Sky News this morning and they were showing soldiers in gas masks stopping cars in one area of Europe.........I didn't catch where though. Surreal.

I will say the UK seems much more prepared for Bird Flu than the US. Many farmers have their flocks indoors with strict isolation requirements. They learned from Mad Cow.

[poverlay]

12. Does anyone have any idea what the chances are that this thing

will mutate into human to human airborne?

It's already worse than mad cow and appears to be spreading like wildfire.

[SaveElmer]

14. No...

There is no way to accurately predict what is a random process. Some will tell you the more human interaction with sick birds, the greater the chances. But what those chances are is really unknown. It's like saying if you buy more lottery tickets you will be closer to winning the lottery even though you don't know how many numbers will be drawn, or how many tickets were sold. Technically your statement is true, but the chances might still be negligible.