Slightly worrying

[uvjunkie]

It is slightly worrying when the experts are talking about the 'inevitable bird-flu pandemic' and the government is stockpiling drugs in readiness for when it hits. I hope doesn't hit in time to have 'concerts and football matches banned'. I have tickets for NIN and would be gutted to miss it.

Comments

[shaunotd]

Not as worrying as if the experts were saying it was inevitable & the government were doing bugger-all about it, methinks.

Which NIN gig are you going to? and did you get my message about tickets?

[uvjunkie]

Yeah. better they are trying to prepare. I was more concerned about the worn inevitable being prominant in the report.

I didn't get a message about tickets. I purchased 4 tickets one of which is for you should you want it.

[shaunotd]

We're lucky to have avoided a flu pandemic for as long as we have, really...

I got my own ticket last night, as you hadn't gotten back to me & they were selling out fast.

I have no-one in mind for a spare, so if you've got a buyer, that's fine.

If you still want me to buy it, that's fine too. Up to you really.

[uvjunkie]

I'm sure i can find someone for the ticket. they are extremely popular. I grabbed a couple extra in case people didn't get them. I know people here at work who also want tickets so i'm sure it will all work out. what day did you get?

[darkmogwai]

I think it's unlikely that this'll happen even in the next decade. Viruses mutate spontaneously, this much is true, but the chances of a mutation creating a viable virus capable of infecting humans is pretty slim. As for 'bird flu mutating with human flu', that's just a load of shit - viruses don't mutate together, they mutate independently, although it's possible for one to influence another I guess.

Also, the article states 'the first instance of transfer from human to human has been seen' - just once? And those people are ok now? Then where's the virus gone?
I don't think we have much to worry about just yet.

[shaunotd]

Also, the article states 'the first instance of transfer from human to human has been seen' - just once? And those people are ok now?

No, she's dead

It's already stared infecting (& killing) humans from chickens, and almost certainly reinfecting chickens from those humans, but so far there's only been the one human to human infection.

Then where's the virus gone?

It's still in the chickens, but it can infect humans too.

As for 'bird flu mutating with human flu', that's just a load of shit - viruses don't mutate together

If two related viruses infect an organism simultaneously, they *can* exchange DNA giving rise to strains with different characteristics - I suspect this is what they were referring to.

We have more to worry about than you think, I'm afraid.

[darkmogwai]

You might be right... Unfortunately the media have a habit of using poor language to describe what they mean. Bit of misunderstanding I guess.

[shaunotd]

Yeah, you always have to allow for the scientist-> civil servant-> reporter-> editor chinese whisper, leaching away clue every step along the way 8-/

Science reporting's another possible on my list of things to do when I grow up...but I'm not sure for exactly that reason...

[malcygoff]

Hi Ian, any chance you could drop me an e-mail at malc at gothcorp dot co dot uk?

[uvjunkie]

done! :)