Bird flu kills - science on warpath and why y

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Orson, Aug 25, 2005.

Loading...
  1. Orson

    Orson New Member

    A dramatic and fascinating frontpage piece in the Washington Post explains what makes bird flu deadly and how scientists are trying to stave off the inevitable pandemic. Two 'graphs:

    "Influenza viruses invade cells lining the throat and windpipe, where they replicate and cause inflammation but are eventually suppressed by the immune system. In some cases, the microbe invades the lungs and leads to viral or bacterial pneumonia. Some H5N1 [bird flu] strains, however, have two features that make them even more dangerous.

    "Normally, the flu viruses can replicate only in the throat and lungs. With H5N1, however, the protein that triggers replication can be activated in many other organs, including the liver, intestines and brain. What is usually a respiratory infection can suddenly become a whole-body infection. Simultaneously, a second 'defect' in the virus unleashes a storm of immune-system chemicals called cytokines. In normal amounts, cytokines help fight microbial invaders. In excessive amounts, they can cause lethal damage to the body's own tissues."
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/22/AR2005082201365.html

    Whole-body infection combines with cytokine cascade to kill. Thus, frightening death rates in excess of 50% have been seen.

    The Post article uses gleanings from the long career of microbiologist Robert G. Webster at St. Judes Hospital in Memphis to contextualize our current understanding of the problem. It traces findings in chicken and duck reservoirs to explain how current science is putting flesh to the historical bones of historical influenza outbreaks.

    In the words of Dr. Roberts, a pandemic is "inevitable," resulting in the deaths of tens, even hundreds of millions of people. The question of "when?"is answered with "soon" - unless preventative actions meet with luck.

    -Orson
     
  2. Laser200

    Laser200 Guest

    Concern

    I'm also concerned about this potential pandemic. I believe it is estimated to start to spread in Sept. I hope all the hype is over blown because it will be very bad if this really manifests itself as predicted by the scientific community.

    http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20373
     

Share This Page