CDC raises alarm over new form of pneumonia

[GTaudiophile]

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Saturday that Americans consider delaying nonessential travel to countries affected by an outbreak of a rapidly spreading, severe form of pneumonia that does not appear to respond to treatment.

The CDC "is advising persons traveling on nonessential or elective travel to affected areas that they may wish to postpone their trips until further notice," Dr. Julie Gerberding, the agency's director, said in a rare Saturday news conference.

Cases of the form of pneumonia, dubbed severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), have been reported in Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Continued...

 

[bolomite]

yeah, this is all over the news. Scary stuff.

 

[shiner]

Why is it that all the bad respiratory illnesses seem to come from Asia?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: shinerburke
Why is it that all the bad respiratory illnesses seem to come from Asia?

Edit: I can't confirm that.

 

[Moonbeam]

The Chinese live in huge numbers in intimate contact with pigs and ducks.

What's the chance that will get misunderstood?

 

[FrontlineWarrior]

because 2/5 of the world lives in asia maybe? either that or because they're packed too close together.

 

[etech]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: shinerburke
Why is it that all the bad respiratory illnesses seem to come from Asia?

Edit: I can't confirm that.

How the mechanism of transmission works
Monday, December 15, 1997
"The flu virus is constantly changing the structure of its coat, which is what normally enables it to slip past the body's defences. "What we see happening every year is that the viruses are slightly changing ... that's why we need an annual update of the vaccine." says Dr Albert Osterhaus of the National Influenza Centre of the Netherlands.

As well as this gradual, but continuous change, sometimes the flu virus undergoes sudden bigger changes known as shifts. These happen when human flu viruses exchange genes with flu viruses that infect birds or animals.

The swopping takes place in pigs, which can be infected by both human and bird flu viruses. South Asia has the largest concentration of pigs and poultry, and as such identified as a likely epicentre for the next pandemic"

 

[optoman]

Time to get the duct tape and plastic out. 😛

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: etech

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: shinerburke
Why is it that all the bad respiratory illnesses seem to come from Asia?

Edit: I can't confirm that.

How the mechanism of transmission works
Monday, December 15, 1997
"The flu virus is constantly changing the structure of its coat, which is what normally enables it to slip past the body's defences. "What we see happening every year is that the viruses are slightly changing ... that's why we need an annual update of the vaccine." says Dr Albert Osterhaus of the National Influenza Centre of the Netherlands.

As well as this gradual, but continuous change, sometimes the flu virus undergoes sudden bigger changes known as shifts. These happen when human flu viruses exchange genes with flu viruses that infect birds or animals.

The swopping takes place in pigs, which can be infected by both human and bird flu viruses. South Asia has the largest concentration of pigs and poultry, and as such identified as a likely epicentre for the next pandemic"

Thats what Moonbeam just said.

 

[Freejack2]

Now the question is will they find a cure or will this thing kill a few million people. 🙁

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: Freejack2
Now the question is will they find a cure or will this thing kill a few million people. 🙁

You do realize that we cannot cure any viral diseases? We can only treat the symptoms.

 

[eakers]

Originally posted by: optoman
Time to get the duct tape and plastic out. 😛

i just had a vision of a plastic bag and ducttape wall between canada and america haha

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: Freejack2
Now the question is will they find a cure or will this thing kill a few million people. 🙁

No one can say. The etiology of this is completely unknown. Can't be determined to be viral or bacterial. It is puzzling.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: X-Man

Originally posted by: Freejack2
Now the question is will they find a cure or will this thing kill a few million people. 🙁

You do realize that we cannot cure any viral diseases? We can only treat the symptoms.

Actually that is no longer true. Certain forms of hepatitis can be cured in about half the infected population. Thats about it though

 

[Scouzer]

Just how dangerous will this be? Not to imply its a joke, I just don't have a clue. Will this be the next global killer, or will it be like the West Nile Virus that was so hyped...?

 

[Moonbeam]

I think I got it.

 

[jamesave]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
I think I got it.

moonbeam, what do you mean with those words? Understand the problem? Or got the disease? I hope it's the first one.

 

[rival]

Why is it that all the bad respiratory illnesses seem to come from Asia?

coz they eat dogs?