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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Bird Flu: The Gaza Petri Dish |
| 2006-03-24 |
| Bird flu has arrived in the Gaza Strip. While it is impossible to know whether or how the virus is going to mutate, it has a much better chance of becoming dangerous in Gaza. Quite a good article that highlights an issue that is widely ignored in our PC times. Namely, the pandemic is much more likely to start in some places than in others. It doesn't go to the next step, which is some places will do much better at containing its spread (once it does start) than others. Think of the dire warnings of 15 years ago that we were all at risk of catching AIDS. No one has really considered the geopolitical consequences of a pandemic that runs unchecked through some regions, but is contained in others leaving some populations immune and others not. It would divide the world into two in terms of travel and communication. |
| Posted by:phil_b |
| #4 Here in Guam, iff someone uses the term BIRD FLU, many old-timers would not know what was being described or referred to - iff, however, one uses the alternate term BLUE-COLORED/HEADED CHICKEN, then they'll know what is meant. The head is cut off and thrown away, and the remainder is boiled, broiled, or barbecued at high heat. The top layers of broth or excess, dripping fats are often skimmmed - to my memory, no one I know has ever gotten sick, not even those whom still chose to cook a chicken + head with some blue discoloration. Here in Guam most farm animals are kept separate from primary domiciles and in clean environments - its a matter of [male] pride for one to know how to raise a healthy animal, be it for agricultural production or for cockfighting, as well as to prep/cook one for large groups of people. BIRD FLU, etal. will truly be life-threatening iff, e.g. like ROE V. WADE and Govt. subsidized Universal Abortion-on-Demand, and women on perm welfare, the Gummermint starts telling economy-based/dependent men Govt., etal. will unilater 150% take care of everything and anything from now on without need of anything from men. Don't need our money, don't need our romance, don't need our sex, don't need women of any age, don't need God, Govt. and Third Parties will take care of any kids, etc. .............. @so why do men need to cook!? IS WHY, WESTERN OR ASIAN, POPULATIONS IN SOCIALIST STATES ARE DYING ERGO AMERICA NEEDS TO BE LIKE THEM!? |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2006-03-24 22:41 |
| #3 mhw: Right now, it is believed that H2H is less common because the virus enters the body through cells deep in the lungs. Typically, flus enter through sinus and throat cells, and the eyes, so infection is much easier. So, the virus might just need to "learn" to attack cells higher up to spread easily via H2H. The easiest way for avian flu to "learn" *might* be in an area where B2H infections are more likely. Gaza is just one such place, however, and better off than most, as Israel has made it abundantly clear that they will provide some of the best medical resources in the world *instantly* when there is any sign of the disease in the Paleo areas. Vast areas of Asia, Africa and Oceania do not have anything approaching this level of assistance so are far more troubling. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-03-24 18:22 |
| #2 While I think I understand why Gaza has a high potential for multiple fatalies from bird to human transmission (lack of automation, lack of sanitation), I don't understand why a mutation to a human to human virus is any higher in Gaza then anywhere else. |
| Posted by: mhw 2006-03-24 12:54 |
| #1 Yeah, weren't the palestinians just running their mouths about bird flu being sent from Allan to kill the Jews? |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2006-03-24 09:43 |