Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
#16
Bitter and twisted
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Upmarket
Posts: 17,503
Re: Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
#17
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,815
Re: Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
To stock the amount of vaccine needed for the entire country would be unrealistic. There are sufficient upplies for workers in essential industries. Australia is monitoring the movement of Avian Flu on a daily basis, and is running exercises and reviewing procedures constantly. I reckon they are as prepared as it is possible to be - probably more prepared than for something like Katrina.
#18
Re: Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
If you're talking about migratory birds, then Aus is way more vulnerable, because millions of waders, and other species migrate from Asia to their wintering grounds throughout Australia. Trust me on this, I'm a birdwatcher. Even though the UK gets some Asian migrants, the numbers are far smaller.
#19
Re: Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
Originally Posted by renth
You need to look at history and the Spanish flu "pandemic" after WW1 whih killed many more people than the war itself, we're talking MILLIONS. This type of flu virus isn't the sort that gives you a runny nose - it kills you. Healthy adults are the ones that are most likely to die.
If the virus does mutate to become human to human transmissble it will make SARS look like a walk in the park.
I have my own plans if the sh*t hits the fan, I have contacts at Charlie's hospital in Perth so me and the Mrs. will be there for antiviral shots as soon as they are available. As for the kids, it's going to be lockdown in Ocean Reef for many months. I'll stock up on rice, flour, oil, vitamin tablets etc...
If the virus does mutate to become human to human transmissble it will make SARS look like a walk in the park.
I have my own plans if the sh*t hits the fan, I have contacts at Charlie's hospital in Perth so me and the Mrs. will be there for antiviral shots as soon as they are available. As for the kids, it's going to be lockdown in Ocean Reef for many months. I'll stock up on rice, flour, oil, vitamin tablets etc...
I don't think this si such a bad idea!
Think how many people you meet on a normal day!
We work in big open plan offices nowaday's so bugs spread easily, coughs and cold spread redily, never mind flu!
I think isolation may be the best idea untill it's burnt itself out (killing all the people that are carriers / victims) :scared:
Bye
Mark
#20
Re: Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
Originally Posted by Linda Lushardi
Nor did i until i watched the TV programme.
Saying that though, Australia is extremely strict on bringing ANYTHING related to birds in here. It was the Border Security series i was watching. I was amazed at the stupidity of some people coming over. One guy had a whole barbequed duck in his luggage!! :scared:
Saying that though, Australia is extremely strict on bringing ANYTHING related to birds in here. It was the Border Security series i was watching. I was amazed at the stupidity of some people coming over. One guy had a whole barbequed duck in his luggage!! :scared:
#21
Re: Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
I'm doing my bit to prevent it - I have taken all the monkey nuts out of the bird feeder in the garden and filled it with Lem Sip !!!
#22
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,997
Re: Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
Originally Posted by DunRoaminTheUK
There's also a few birds I know of who would definitely be classified as "mad cows" and probably wouldn't be allowed in.
#23
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Re: Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
Apparently Australian pharmacies have just sold out of bird flu vaccine because of fear of the virus. John Howard said don't panic buy so guess what happened.
#24
Home at last
Joined: May 2005
Location: Perth
Posts: 263
Re: Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
I don't get the panic, I have to say.
Yes, *IF* it does cross the species barrier and become a full-on Flu Pandemic then yes, it's something to worry about BUT is there any evidence to suggest that this strain of bird flu is more likely to cross the species barrier than any other stain? Last time it did was in Hong Kong in the mid-90s, i believe and whilst there were some deaths (always tragic) it wasn't exactly the next Black Death.
Just another "news" sotry to fill the hole on 24 hour news channels if you ask me.
Michelle
(hoping they aren't famous last words LOL!)
Yes, *IF* it does cross the species barrier and become a full-on Flu Pandemic then yes, it's something to worry about BUT is there any evidence to suggest that this strain of bird flu is more likely to cross the species barrier than any other stain? Last time it did was in Hong Kong in the mid-90s, i believe and whilst there were some deaths (always tragic) it wasn't exactly the next Black Death.
Just another "news" sotry to fill the hole on 24 hour news channels if you ask me.
Michelle
(hoping they aren't famous last words LOL!)
#25
Banned
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 728
Re: Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
Originally Posted by DunRoaminTheUK
There's also a few birds I know of who would definitely be classified as "mad cows" and probably wouldn't be allowed in.
#26
Home and Happy
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Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,815
Re: Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
Originally Posted by bondipom
Apparently Australian pharmacies have just sold out of bird flu vaccine because of fear of the virus. John Howard said don't panic buy so guess what happened.
It probably is being inflatec by the tabloid press - after all, this kind of stuff sells papers - but at the same time it is being taken seriously by the emergency services here, hence there are daily updates to the govt and emergency planners.
#27
Re: Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
Originally Posted by Linda Lushardi
There is already a vaccine for bird flu, but theres not enough to go round as Australia hasnt stocked up with enough
#28
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 374
Re: Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
Originally Posted by bondipom
Apparently Australian pharmacies have just sold out of bird flu vaccine because of fear of the virus. John Howard said don't panic buy so guess what happened.
IJ xx
#29
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2004
Location: Ples bilong mi
Posts: 523
Re: Bird Flu - Where's Safer? UK or Oz?
Originally Posted by Innyjim
Panic buying: evidently the State of WA never reports the temperature above 42 degrees or all the shops will sell out of bottled water.......honest !!
IJ xx
IJ xx