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2007-01-29 02:54:20 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
FACT:
Donald Rumsfeld used to be chairman of Gilead (the company that produces Tamiflu), the only vaccine for bird flu and is still a large stockholder (multi-millions of dollars).
Draw your own conclusions.
2007-01-29 03:06:03 · answer #1 · answered by nemesis_318 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
No, it was born in a bird - that's why it's called bird flu - or avian flu.
In Asia people often have close contact with their birds - raising backyard poultry, songbirds in homes, birds as pets - buying live birds at markets and slaughtering them at home before cooking. Children lug chickens around much as kids in the West carry puppies or kittens.
A virus can pass from a sick chicken to a person. Some of these viruses can also be transmitted from person to person. Some of them develop into the seasonal flu viruses that we suffer through each year.
But sometimes these viruses aren't mild. The H5N1 virus has killed 67% of the patients who had it last year, and 85% of the patients in Indonesia died.
Scientists are concerned because the virus is mutating, and there are signs that the mutations will enable it to pass easily from one person to another - just like the colds that we pass around.
It's likely that many, many people would be infected (because no one has had this virus before no one will have immunity) It's possible that half or more of us could get sick. There will not be enough hospital beds and ventilators.
Modern medicine isn't much help with this virus. We won't have vaccine for at least 6-9 months after it mutates to be easily transmitted and then it will be only in small quantities. The antiviral drugs that are being used are in very short supply and there are signs that the virus has become resistant to Tamiflu - the antiviral used most often.
If this happens, we will probably be told to stay home for several weeks or months to minimize the spread of the virus. It's a good idea to have nonperishable foods and water on hand.
2007-01-30 13:21:20 · answer #2 · answered by starlight 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No the bird flu was not born in a lab, and no HIV wasn't born in a lab. Both viruses were around long before scientists had the capability or technology to manipulate viruses.
2007-01-29 11:07:08 · answer #3 · answered by floundering penguins 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes. Because those well known world super powers thailand and indonesia have the capabilites of such a thing. Oh and of course the americans colluded with communist china and vietnam to help them.
Stop reading blogs, and start reading science text books.
2007-01-29 13:05:27 · answer #4 · answered by Bacteria Boy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes, although I haven't read anything on it. There is a strong belief that the aids epidimic, too, started in a lab and was released. I believe it was from a testing lab in the northeast. Of course, nobody wants to admit that they created such a bad virus....and then let it escape. Most of these viruses have always been around, but then we go and try to fix them or make them weapons and we screw it all up.
2007-01-29 11:04:18 · answer #5 · answered by Jase 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
You need to stop reading blogs from conspiracy theorists. These people will find ANY reason to blame government involvement. I am not fond of the government myself, but let's get real. Start using common sense and logic.
2007-01-29 10:59:38 · answer #6 · answered by S H 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
no not this one
2007-01-29 11:03:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
2007-01-29 11:00:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no probably not!
2007-01-29 10:58:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋