Cyprus-Forum.com

[Sotos]

Here is an article in Cyprus-Mail about the topic:

READING the headlines and watching the news recently, one might be forgiven for thinking the world was in the grip of a massive plague and that we are all going to die unless we rush to be vaccinated or stock up on ’flu medicine, of which there seems to be not enough to go around in any case.

To put a little perspective on the bird ’flu issue firstly the notion of a global pandemic is based on ‘the possibility’ that the virus found in birds ‘could’ mutate ‘at some point’ and result in human-to-human infection.

Put this together with the experts’ opinion that the world is due to be hit with a pandemic – remember SARS – because there were three in the last century, and you may have a case for precaution, but certainly not the hype and panic currently being witnessed. Not yet anyway.
The US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) says: “Scientists are concerned that the H5N1 virus could one day be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to another. No one can predict when a pandemic might occur.”

American physician Dr. Marc Siegel, author of "False Alarm: The Truth About the Epidemic of Fear," told CNN it's likely that such a pandemic could occur "over the next 50 years and maybe even over the next 10 or 20," but he said "it may very well not be this bug. It’s really speculation at this point."

So far around 60 out of 100 people in Asia have died from a virus they picked up from close proximity to infected birds. This figure relates to deaths over more than two years. Compare that to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) annual global ’flu deaths of 500,000.

International experts have also given widely different estimates of the risk. One UN health official suggested that if the bird ’flu virus mutates up to 150 million people could be die. He was however contradicted by the WHO’s influenza spokesman, who said the maximum mortality figure would be 2- 7.4 million. “The occurrence of influenza pandemics is unpredictable,” the WHO says.

On top of that people – Cypriots are no exception – are rushing to be vaccinated with medicines not necessarily useful for whatever-type-of-virus-may-one-day-result-in-a-human-to-a-human-form-of-bird-’flu.

No vaccine for the virus has yet been developed. The government has also decided to stock up on Tamiflu, which according to the US Food and Drug Administration has not been shown to treat ’flu -like illnesses caused by any virus other than (human type) influenza.

A local alternative-medicine practitioner also suggested caution in rushing for vaccines. “’Flu viruses can mutate every six weeks in which case the vaccine for X virus, when it becomes Y virus is not effective,” he said.

He also said people should look into what is in their vaccine. If there is thimerosal in the vaccine, which is a mercury derivative, then they are going to be injecting themselves with mercury, which is a neurotoxic agent. It actually dengenerates the nervous system and causes many problems,” said the practitioner.

He said the best way to be prepared for any ’flu outbreak would be to keep the immune system boosted, something that animals and poultry produced for mass consumption are unable to do given their appalling living conditions, which make it easier for viruses to take hold.

“I would use some supplements that are good for immune system such as taking Vitamin C daily, maybe some garlic on a daily basic as it’s an natural antibiotic, maybe some echinacea, which is available in Cyprus. That helps the immune system as well, as does elderflower tea or zamboukos, which is antiviral, and also a good multivitamin. These are common things,” he said.

As Dr Siegel said about the bird ’flu: "We're wise to be prepared, but we are not wise if we worry unnecessarily about something that may not happen.”

[Nicko]

Enough About Bird Flu. Its boring like poo, which is hard too chew!!

[BirKibrisli]

The best they can do is to treat it with anti-viral drugs either before or after the illness takes hold.Preferably before as once it starts you have about 24 hours to diagnose and begin treatment,otherwise the patient is in big trouble.

Are these anti-viral drugs special for bird-flu? Or the usual anti-viral drugs? Would it be a good idea if we stock in our homes some of these drugs? If the situation goes our of control I can see how the demand/supply of these drugs will develop!

Sotos,Merhaba(Yiasou)
The Cyprus Mail article you posted have plenty of good advice,but I suppose that won't stop people from panicking.By all means stock the antiviral drugs which are proven effective in fighting the most dangerous of the viruses,the H5N1,for your own peace of mind.But the best thing you can do is to build up your immune system by exercise and good diet and herbal methods as the article suggests.There is another herbal remedy not mentioned in that article which escapes me now,but will find the name and post it here in a few days.

[Sotos]

Thanks Birkibrisli! I will ask for the H5N1 (strange name!!)

[garbitsch]

Enough About Bird Flu. Its boring like poo, which is hard too chew!!

I hope you will say this again, when the flu comes right to your door!

[Nicko]

I am PROTECTED beyond your imagination Mr Garby!!

[devil]

In view of the way it has been spreading and because Cyprus is on two major migratory routes, it would surprise me if there were not already infected birds on the island. Whether poultry has been infected or not remains to be seen but, at the best, it is only a matter of time.

[Sotos]

I know that cooking the chicken should kill the virus. But what about touching the chicken before you cook it? Can you get infected in this way?

[devil]

Not an expert, but I believe that 'flu viruses are spread mainly from lungs to lungs via the exhaled damp air. The lifetime in the air is fairly short.

[garbitsch]

The flu was found in Chios island Niko think twice before uttering words re! Flu is already in Greece. You should be ready for the worse! Get your vaccination done! And do not go for bird hunting or bird stroking!!