SARS didn't do the markets a lot of good - what about Swine Flu Epidemic

tesuhoha

Well, I suppose if a lot of people die it may help the unemployment figures. I know that sounds nasty but we are all equally at risk.

Gorgeous_George

Dead people don't need houses. So much for the Spring bounce.

GG

vivatifosi

Well, the good news is that this virus can be fought using the anti-virals that were stockpiled for bird flu. I guess that won't help people in poorer countries without such facilities if it spreads there as well.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/25/flu-pandemic-flu

Generali

tesuhoha wrote: »

...we are all equally at risk.

I believe the young and fit are most at risk from death from influenza.

Don't we have a Doctor or two that post on here though? My post isn't based on any real knowledge.

tomterm8

Generali wrote: »

I believe the young and fit are most at risk from death from influenza.

Don't we have a Doctor or two that post on here though? My post isn't based on any real knowledge.

That's normally the case, but the BBC reported today that it appeared all groups are equally affected by this virus.

PasturesNew

Maybe the young are 'most at risk' because they're out there mixing with strangers more often. In bars, clubs, shops. Old duffers like me stay in.

GDB2222

PasturesNew wrote: »

Maybe the young are 'most at risk' because they're out there mixing with strangers more often. In bars, clubs, shops. Old duffers like me stay in.

No, not partying, at least not for the 1918 epidemic:
"the virus kills via a cytokine storm (overreaction of the body's immune system) which explains its unusually severe nature and the concentrated age profile of its victims. The strong immune systems of young adults ravaged the body, whereas the weaker immune systems of children and middle-aged adults caused fewer deaths."

hermanmunster_3

one doc here not looking forward to an starting work for the week this evening and having to cope with people who sneeze and are worried becasue they know someone who knows someone who once went to mexico.

The anti virals will work for a period of time but if is mutating rapidly then it may well become resistant to these, H5N1 has done this. Also while H1N1 mexico is attracting our attention H5N1 is still there.

The epidemiology of influenza is fascinating - from a distance - but I can see that this will be occupying our thoughts for some time.

lostinrates

Many of you will probably know I have connections to agricultural life and academia. I was one of the people ''asked'' to help with the foot and mouth 'clear up' in the area I was then living at that time, what was it 2000? 2001?. TBH it was part of what helped me make the deceision to leave a future where I could be called in on such a sorry state again. I remember shortly before a lunch table discussion about our future fears for disease outbreak. Most of us were obviously fairly focused on our own species of specialisation, but one avian scientist was adament over his fears and forecasts of avian flu. It sounded almost like tin foil hat territory to me at the time, such was his fervour. One evening, both stinking of pyre I pointed out to him how wrong he'd been. He answer that this had just been a warm up act. In the middle of what really was one of the most disillusioning things of my life (scientifically, politcally, and ethically) I rememebr thinking ''yeah, right''- it honestly felt t that time like it couldn't get much worse, the ''disposal'' itself, the devastation.

iltisman

Pharmaceuticals may be worth a punt if this takes off.