1918 Spanish Flu Virus Recreated
ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- Scientists have made from scratch the Spanish flu virus that killed as many as 50 million people in 1918, the first time an infectious agent behind a historic pandemic has ever been reconstructed.
Why did they do it? Researchers say it may help them better understand -- and develop defenses against -- the threat of a future worldwide epidemic from bird flu.
...Tumpey also confirmed the 1918 virus's avian-like characteristics by injecting it in fertilized bird eggs. It killed the eggs, just like the Asian bird flu does. Other modern-day flu strains that are human-based don't kill fertilized bird eggs, he noted.
The process used was fascinating. Read the whole thing here.
Concern over a bird flu pandemic has been rising. Hopefully, this concern is merely healthy precaution rather than insightful prediction. The 1918 flu killed as many as 50 million people in a matter of several months. It was the single most devasting outbreak of illness in human history.
Why did they do it? Researchers say it may help them better understand -- and develop defenses against -- the threat of a future worldwide epidemic from bird flu.
...Tumpey also confirmed the 1918 virus's avian-like characteristics by injecting it in fertilized bird eggs. It killed the eggs, just like the Asian bird flu does. Other modern-day flu strains that are human-based don't kill fertilized bird eggs, he noted.
The process used was fascinating. Read the whole thing here.
Concern over a bird flu pandemic has been rising. Hopefully, this concern is merely healthy precaution rather than insightful prediction. The 1918 flu killed as many as 50 million people in a matter of several months. It was the single most devasting outbreak of illness in human history.
posted by Nordeaster | 8:33 AM
13 Comments:
In the medical field myself, it bothers me that we are spending gazillion of dollars recreating what we already determined was a disaster. Funny how only one company, Aventis, now makes an influenza vaccine (since British Chiron bit it last year due to poor infection control practices).
Both the Hong Kong flu and Singapore flu nearly wiped out 20% of the world's population. The avian flu is very much a reality. Think of how many people are surviving with fibrotic lungs due to histoplasmosis and taxoplasmosis?!
Polly wanna get the rock outta here.
surfergrrl,
You bring up an important point. All of the vaccine makers were sued out of existence. Some due to their own poor research or quality control practices, some simply due to a fact that the public and their governments don't accept the fact that there is always a small margin of error or unexpected reactions. The public's expectation of the medical field is an unrealistic level of perfection.
Very true. Case in point: Do vaccinations cause autisms due to trace amounts of thimerosol in them? HELLO! It's amazing we all made it this far, isn't it? Now excuse me while I run screaming in circles and bang my head on the wall.
I know one parent who insists that she also has no contact
wither friends so she takes her cell phone
away because that is really having her cake and eating it.
Finally, we've come to the final portion of our masterpiece. It won’t look to lengthy if there is plenty of white space between each thought.
My webpage :: how to draw cartoons
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for top 10 hosting
Here is my web blog ... high energy foods
This is very attention-grabbing, You are an excessively professional
blogger. I have joined your rss feed and stay
up for seeking more of your fantastic post. Additionally, I
have shared your website in my social networks
Have a look at my web site: symptoms of asthma in children (asthmasymptomshq.org)
However, remember this advice: Do not make the topic too broad;
for example, if you decide to write about global
warming, don't try to discuss each and every aspect of global warming, which would turn your paper into a book, but, instead, choose a focus this manageable and, therefore, can be discussed adequately in a student paper. Then the skinny guy finds weight gainers and tries them, or some other worthless supplement, and never really understands why he is not big and muscular like the other guys at the gym. How to gain weight for skinny guys is about attitude, exercise, nutrition, and rest.
Take a look at my homepage: how to gain weight fast for men with high metabolism ()
Yοur ѕtyle іs really uniquе in comparisоn to other folkѕ Ӏ've read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I'll just
bоoκ maгk thiѕ blog.
Alsο ѵisіt my wеb blog short еmo hairѕtylеs ()
Superb, what a webpage it is! This website provides valuable data to
us, keep it up.
My page ... asthma symptoms
Strips for drug tests, also referred to being test
cards, dip strips or test panels, are employed to determine drug metabolites in the sample of
urine. The need to measure and evaluate any type of event
marketing program is important, especially with the number of variables they contain (usually more
than 100). is one of the best products on the market at the
moment.
Check out my weblog how to pass a drug test
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the web the simplest thing to
be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the
whole thing without having side effect , people can take
a signal. Will likely be back to get more.
Thanks
My web site: back pain lower left side (lowerbackpainrightsidehq.org)
Once it's done, you'll want to check the sheets thoroughly, especially along each and
every seam, to make sure they're gone. It contains natural floral scents and is extremely effective against Bed Bugs, especially when used in conjunction with Bed Bugs Mattress & Pillow Covers. You can check on mites by keeping your bedding, carpet, household clean.
Feel free to surf to my web site :: how to get rid of bed bugs
My partner and I stumbled over here from a different page
and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i
am following you. Look forward to finding out about your web page for a second time.
Feel free to surf to my web page: best allergy medicine for pollen - bestallergymedicinehq.org -
Post a Comment
<< Home