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A Flu Pandemic?

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the run-for-the-hills dept.

Pedrito writes "Scientific American is running a story in this month's issue about preparing for a flu pandemic. What this article tries to convey is that a pandemic is definitely coming. Whether it's from the H5N1 strain (which would likely cause hundreds of millions of deaths) or another strain a few years down the road. There have been 3 other flu pandemics in the past 100 years. The 1918 strain being the worst, with 40 million killed. The reason H5N1 is being followed so closely is because it's already spread to people and because it's incredibly lethal (a roughly 50% fatality rate at th moment). Even if the fatality rate dropped to 5% when and if it mutates into an easily communicable form, it would be twice as deadly as the 1918 virus."

9 of 830 comments (clear)

  1. It's Captain Tripps! by DurendalMac · · Score: 4, Funny

    Randall Flagg is cackling with glee right now. His plan as almost borne fruit. I'm stocking up on Nozz-a-la and heading for the hills. Who's with me?

    1. Re:It's Captain Tripps! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      M-O-O-N. This spells first post.

  2. A haven't heard anything about this! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    As I've been living in a cave with a sneezing chicken. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Slashdot.

  3. Re:Sensationalist Journalism? by BushCheney08 · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's probably been fourteen years since I've had the clue.

    Ummm...Not gonna comment on that one... : p

    --
    Be a real patriot: Question authority. Think for yourself. Formulate your own conclusions.
  4. Re:Causing Panic by Hogwash+McFly · · Score: 4, Funny

    Today's good news:

    Boy Crosses Road Unharmed
    Apartment Building Completed On Time And On Budget
    A Man Loves His Wife And Tells Her Of That Fact
    Ice Cream Is Enjoyed By Many
    Zero Asteroids Hit Earth

    I hope that makes you feel better about humanity.

    --
    Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
  5. Little bird, little bird by 0xC0FFEE · · Score: 3, Funny
    I had a little bird,
    Its name was Enza.
    I opened the window
    And in-flu-enza.

    Stolen from: http://www.stanford.edu/group/virus/uda/

  6. Re:Sensationalist Journalism? by Simon+Garlick · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't see what everyone is worried about. Everyone knows that organisms don't change from one form to another, so there's no risk of a human-transmissible strain.

    THIS MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE KANSAS EDUCATION SYSTEM

    --

    -----
    PGP Key ID 0xCB8FF658
  7. Don't worry by Trikenstein · · Score: 3, Funny

    Quasiman will save us!
    And do it with a vacant stare, and a line of drool hanging from his chin, and a good 30% of his brain phased into some other reality.

  8. Re:Pandemic by truckaxle · · Score: 4, Funny

    Ok. Am I the only one, having a somewhat weak immune system, that is not in the least bit worried about a pandemic? ....