| World of Viruses:Flu Pandemic |
Tracking the Animal Human interface
Preliminary discussions on influenza revealed the ongoing challenge of identifying viral threats animals may pose to humans. First, after bird flu and swine flu, where's the next viral threat to humans? Rodents? Second, U.S. federal health officials seem to have only partial knowledge about diseases inside animals. Private companies apparently pay private researchers to study the health of their stock. But, they don't always share that info with government. If an animal on a farm gets sick BUT doesn't die, is a company in the U.S. required to report it to federal authorities? Apparently, no. Lakshmi Singh looks into what scientists and researchers are doing to track the animal/human interface of viruses.
Links:
Avian Flu Reoccurance
On December 29 2009, the Hong Kong Veterinary Authority reported finding an Oriental Robin with the Avian (H5N1) Flu. A bird common in Hong Kong
Drug companies and Their Influence on the Flu Pandemic
Based on the current status of the swine flu being 'less lethal than feared' and huge amounts vaccines produced that now seem like a waste, there are questions about Scientists hired by the government and their links to drug comapnies and what they stand to gain from the pandemic.
Swine Flu Scare
Here is a look back at the Swine Flu scare that dominated 2009.
Books:
 Beat the Flu: Protect Yourself and Your Family from Swine Flu, Bird Flu, Pandemic Flu and Seasonal Flu
by: Richard Stooker 2009
Stooker's book is aimed at having people equipt with enough information to protect immune systems from any type of flu. It also has simple and easy solutions to treat the flu if inflicted.
 The Fatal Strain: On the Trail of Avian Flu and the Coming Pandemic
by: Alan Sipress 2009
Clues about flu outbreaks may come from animal handlers than scientists who end up missing signs and available to help treat the outbreak. Sipress tracked the avian strain as it passed through remote villages and was not tracked until it hit cities across Asia. In a continent where most people would rather have a live meat like chicken for cultural and socioeconomic reasons than package meat, these make it a perfect breeding ground for the flu strains.
 Swine Flu
by: A.M. Dumar 2009
On the heels of the Swine Flu outbreak, here is a introduction on everything you need to know about Swine Flu including symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
|
