Flu pandemic could kill half million in U.S.-report

[Martrae]

Jun 24, 10:07 AM (ET)

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Half a million Americans could die and more than 2 million could end up in the hospital with serious complications if an even moderately severe strain of a pandemic flu hits, a report predicted on Friday.

But the United States only has 965,256 staffed hospital beds, said the report from the Trust for America's Health.

The non-profit group's state-by-state analysis adds to a growing clamor of voices contending that the United States is not prepared for a large outbreak of disease, whether natural or brought on by war or terrorism.

"This is not a drill. This is not a planning exercise. This is for real," said the Trust's executive director, Shelley Hearne, in a statement.

In an average year, influenza kills an estimated 36,000 Americans and puts 200,000 into the hospital.

A more serious strain strikes every few years and a so-called pandemic strain emerges once every 27 years, on average. The more virulent strains sweep around the world within months.

Pandemics hit in 1918 -- killing up to 40 million people globally -- 1957 and 1968. Health experts all say the world is overdue for another and fear the avian flu in Asia may be it.

The World Health Organization says an H5N1 avian flu pandemic could kill up to 7.4 million people globally, because people lack immunity to it.

Avian flu has not yet acquired the ability to pass easily from person to person, but would spread rapidly if it does, experts say.

PANDEMIC RISKS

But even another strain of flu could wreak havoc if it has pandemic characteristics, according to the report.

"The U.S. has not adequately planned for the disruption a flu pandemic could cause to the economy, daily life, food and supply distributions, or homeland security," the Trust's report reads.

"The U.S. lags in pandemic preparations compared to Great Britain and Canada based on an examination of leadership, vaccine development, vaccine and antiviral planning, health care system surge capacity planning, coordination between public and private sectors, and emergency communications planning."

Health officials are aware of the warnings and say they are developing a plan. The heads of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health and Health and Human Services Department are regularly called to hearings before Congress on the issue.

The Trust said more could be done to prepare now, including setting up plans to track an outbreak, stockpile antiviral drugs and other medical supplies and set up communications.

The study found that the United States has stockpiled 2.3 million courses of the best anti-influenza drug, oseltamivir, marketed by Gilead Sciences and Roche under the brand name Tamiflu.

It has placed orders for 3 million more courses of the drug, which does not cure influenza but can prevent infection if taken early enough and can reduce its severity.

[Tikker]

hrm, seems like a good way to thin the herd

[Martrae]

Stop reading my mind!


Didn't we have a discussion about Mother Earth taking care of herself? This is looking to be the way she's choosing to do it.

[Agrajag]

Yup, had to do with reasons for evolution creating gays and such. Viruses are another form of population control.

[Tikker]

Hrm, I would even be willing to deliver BY HAND the virus to certain people

target'd culling is clearly the best way to strengthen the human race

[Harrison]

If I was infected with something deadly...I'd be fucking people's shit up left and right.

If I survived it, all the better.

[Yamori]

Human bodies suck. So many accidents and diseases. @_@

I want my robot body. Now.

[Tikker]

you'd just ebay it to avoid having to get a job though

[Themosticles]

you'd just ebay it to avoid having to get a job though

Cold...

[mofish]

He'd never get it in the first place. That sort of thing takes strong public sector funding

[Diekan]

Drug companies make no money in producting flu vac... go go greed!

[Narrock]

Hrm, I would even be willing to deliver BY HAND the virus to certain people

target'd culling is clearly the best way to strengthen the human race

Please start by slamming a shot yourself first. Please. Pretty please with a cherry on top?

[Captain Insano]

Jun 24, 10:07 AM (ET)

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Half a million Americans could die and more than 2 million could end up in the hospital with serious complications if an even moderately severe strain of a pandemic flu hits, a report predicted on Friday.

But the United States only has 965,256 staffed hospital beds, said the report from the Trust for America's Health.

The non-profit group's state-by-state analysis adds to a growing clamor of voices contending that the United States is not prepared for a large outbreak of disease, whether natural or brought on by war or terrorism.

"This is not a drill. This is not a planning exercise. This is for real," said the Trust's executive director, Shelley Hearne, in a statement.

In an average year, influenza kills an estimated 36,000 Americans and puts 200,000 into the hospital.

A more serious strain strikes every few years and a so-called pandemic strain emerges once every 27 years, on average. The more virulent strains sweep around the world within months.

Pandemics hit in 1918 -- killing up to 40 million people globally -- 1957 and 1968. Health experts all say the world is overdue for another and fear the avian flu in Asia may be it.

The World Health Organization says an H5N1 avian flu pandemic could kill up to 7.4 million people globally, because people lack immunity to it.

Avian flu has not yet acquired the ability to pass easily from person to person, but would spread rapidly if it does, experts say.

PANDEMIC RISKS

But even another strain of flu could wreak havoc if it has pandemic characteristics, according to the report.

"The U.S. has not adequately planned for the disruption a flu pandemic could cause to the economy, daily life, food and supply distributions, or homeland security," the Trust's report reads.

"The U.S. lags in pandemic preparations compared to Great Britain and Canada based on an examination of leadership, vaccine development, vaccine and antiviral planning, health care system surge capacity planning, coordination between public and private sectors, and emergency communications planning."

Health officials are aware of the warnings and say they are developing a plan. The heads of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health and Health and Human Services Department are regularly called to hearings before Congress on the issue.

The Trust said more could be done to prepare now, including setting up plans to track an outbreak, stockpile antiviral drugs and other medical supplies and set up communications.

The study found that the United States has stockpiled 2.3 million courses of the best anti-influenza drug, oseltamivir, marketed by Gilead Sciences and Roche under the brand name Tamiflu.

It has placed orders for 3 million more courses of the drug, which does not cure influenza but can prevent infection if taken early enough and can reduce its severity.

Oh this is terrible...


Lets also not forget that if the ocean gets to cold new york is seriously fucked when the big tidal waves come and california is going to get hammered by tornadoes.

Right at this moment a huge comet is probably headed straight for our planet and isn't obeying the speed limit, more than likely it WILL wipe us out.

More dangerous than that is a recent study showing that ingesting too much wheatgrass juice combined with wearing birkenstocks can turn you into radical left leaning liberal zombie intent on destruction of the working class... Moviestars attack!




Man I hate articles like the one above. Fucking overhyped media scare tactic bullshit.

Can we really do anything about some flu pandemic? No probably not, so who gives a shit.

My advice is to stop watching the news or taking anything you read on the
intarwaste seriously and live your life relatively worry free.

If the shit hits the fan chances are you can't do a damn thing about it.

[Mop]

oh noz I am going to wear a mask everywhere.

[Eziekial]

Another flu pandemic? Didn't we have one last year or the year before?

[Captain Insano]

TEH SARZ HAS U IN ITS GRAPS!!!11

[labbats]

I heard a giant assteroidz is going to plummet into the earth and release birds full of flu and ticks with lyme disease. I suggest taking shelter and playing online video games immediately.