March 13, 2006
Birds Again - We Know What That Means
Have you noticed that I haven't been hounding you about bird flu lately, even though it has spread to 40 countries, and the UN is predicting that it's on it's way to the US. I have restrained myself because I just know that everyone has been working hard at preparing, should a pandemic occur.
H5N1 has been found in cats-- logically, since they often consume uncooked birds-- pet owners beware.
Some organizations are planning ahead. Restaurants are staying informed, at least about chicken safety. I doubt that they will be open at all if a pandemic arrives;
And lastly, the avian flu is worrying the corporatocracy. As usual, someone in the administration (other than Dick Cheney !) is making a bit of a profit on a catastrophe. Since it's only in the single digit millions, it's hardly worth mentioning.
Photo note: Okay, I admit it, I only wrote this because this photo popped into my camera the other day. The pigeons are perched below a billboard at the subway station. The large muscular torso is significant, because avian flu will be most lethal to the young and fit, if it mutates to human-to-human form. The real killer in H5N1 is the cytokine storm which occurs when a healthy immune system overreacts to the virus.
Posted by Dakota at March 13, 2006 06:56 AM