Due to circumstances beyond my control, computer glitch (?), the length
of the former thread (Thread 2), and the tremendous amount of new
information coming in at this time, it is probably necessary to start a new
thread on Avian Influenza Awareness.
I pulled out the following commentary from an earlier thread regarding
a rather chilling video (at least to me), given by Dr. Margaret Chan. The
information is not current as the video was shot in February 2007, but
what she has to say is still pertinent considering how much further the
spread of H5N1 has grown. It is now on three continents with a CFR (case
fatality rate) for human beings of over 60%. It is still however, primarily
a bird disease, but that may be changing.
From Margaret Chan MD, Director-General of the World Health Organization:
I did not attend the CIDRAP Conference in February, 2007 where this video
was shown. I almost got there, but changed my plans at the last minute.
Dr. Chan will appear in a screen to your right. You do not have to press
any buttons, just wait for the screen to appear, and for her presentation
to begin. You do not have to be a subscriber for the video to play.
Just be patient for a few seconds and view it.
I have to say that even though everything Dr. Chan is saying in this
presentation is well known to me, just hearing her speak so
clearly and honestly of what might occur, has shaken me. Though
many who research this information will say that her estimates
of the possible future cases may be too conservative, the numbers are
still hugh. This event will change the world, and challenge all of us.
The video will take 16 minutes of your time. I hope that the
very serious nature of Dr. Chan's message will cut thru the apathy and
disbelief about the possibility of H5N1 triggering the next pandemic,
and encourage some individual planning and family preparation.
Share it with people that you care about.
https://umconnect.umn.edu/chan
(hat tip crofsblog)
Laidback Al
266 Posts
sharona97, I didn't mean any offense by defining the WHO acronym. As noted above by indigo girl there are a lot of readers of this thread, and one can not known the depth and breadth of knowledge of each of these individuals.
As I noted in one my previous posts from around April of last year, I am not nurse or HCW but I am interested in pandemic preparedness and planning. Because I don't claim to be an expert, I like to post links so that people can search out information for themselves and come to their own determinations and conclusions.
I am also willing to learn and discuss, so can you tell me what canoehead was referring to by a "link war"?