Impact of flu pandemic on air traffic
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And are people getting stopped from boarding a plane from the locations of the virus as they could breath in the plane then someone catches it then it spreads everywhere.
Sorry, couldn't resist Philip.
aviate1138,
Good way of putting it, 2 billion Asians over two years and only 60 deaths? I'll take a wild stab in the dark and say that more people die each year from slipping on a bar of soap in the shower per 100 million.
Looking at the BBC's Health section online,
"In a normal winter flu year... flu actually kills in excess of 12,000 people,"
and
However, Dr Martin Wiselka, consultant in infectious diseases at Leicester Royal Infirmary, said a death toll of 50,000 was a "complete guess".
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I assume that this threat is about 'bird flu'. If not then please forget my comments below
At the moment, the biggest threat here is the hysteria that is being generated by the media. Don't get me wrong I'm sure that it is potentially a very serious matter but at the moment it is very much a case of 'there is nothing to fear but fear itself'.
On a lighter note do you think that John Gummer will be brought out of retirement to get one of his kids to eat a chicken burger to prove that all is well.
At the moment, the biggest threat here is the hysteria that is being generated by the media. Don't get me wrong I'm sure that it is potentially a very serious matter but at the moment it is very much a case of 'there is nothing to fear but fear itself'.
On a lighter note do you think that John Gummer will be brought out of retirement to get one of his kids to eat a chicken burger to prove that all is well.
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HAHAHA kestral i just laughed on that bit of my post aswell damn i should read before i send, like think before i speak
so its not like a guy in china with the early flu symptoms gets on a flight then the flight carries it to england then everyone breaths the same air and it spreads to families
so its not like a guy in china with the early flu symptoms gets on a flight then the flight carries it to england then everyone breaths the same air and it spreads to families
i know i get typing diarhea
Forewarned is Forearmed
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I Guess me & my workmates will have to think twice before eating our grub in the vehicles at work after picking up Birdstrike remains, & other dead wildlife forms
Life as a Bird controller will never be the same.
On a more serious note take extra care in the way you handle any Birdstrike remains from Turkey/ Romania or anywhere you never know what nasties it may contain
Life as a Bird controller will never be the same.
On a more serious note take extra care in the way you handle any Birdstrike remains from Turkey/ Romania or anywhere you never know what nasties it may contain
A few thoughts...
In 1918, there was probably a record number of people traveling around the globe for that day and age because of troop movements associated with World War I, and likewise an exceptionally large number of relative strangers were thrown together at close quarters, making spread of disease more likely. Plus, the folks back home may have not been as well fed or robust as usual due to the war and whatever rationing that involved.
Still, the 1918 flu did a very good job at killing young, healthy people, when the average flu tends to only kill the very young and very old.
Also, from what I've read, people who got the flu early in 1918 were immune to the more virulent strain that it evolved into later that year, so getting a flu shot is probably a good idea in any case.
Countries are making plans to give flu drugs (e.g., Tamiflu) and vaccines to "essential personnel." This list typically includes doctors, nurses, and perhaps the fire and police departments. I think it should include pilots, flight attendants, and ticket agents, as they are very likely to be in close contact with people who travel, so are at most risk of getting the disease or passing it on unintentionally.
The fatality rate is probably far less than the 50% or 60% that's been quoted, because they only know what strain of flu someone has when they actually do a blood test and identify what strain(s) of flu that person was infected with. If someone has a mild form, or even average form, of the flu, it is unlikely they will see their doctor or go to a hospital and get their blood tested. Consequently, they won't show up on the radar.
In 1918, there was probably a record number of people traveling around the globe for that day and age because of troop movements associated with World War I, and likewise an exceptionally large number of relative strangers were thrown together at close quarters, making spread of disease more likely. Plus, the folks back home may have not been as well fed or robust as usual due to the war and whatever rationing that involved.
Still, the 1918 flu did a very good job at killing young, healthy people, when the average flu tends to only kill the very young and very old.
Also, from what I've read, people who got the flu early in 1918 were immune to the more virulent strain that it evolved into later that year, so getting a flu shot is probably a good idea in any case.
Countries are making plans to give flu drugs (e.g., Tamiflu) and vaccines to "essential personnel." This list typically includes doctors, nurses, and perhaps the fire and police departments. I think it should include pilots, flight attendants, and ticket agents, as they are very likely to be in close contact with people who travel, so are at most risk of getting the disease or passing it on unintentionally.
The fatality rate is probably far less than the 50% or 60% that's been quoted, because they only know what strain of flu someone has when they actually do a blood test and identify what strain(s) of flu that person was infected with. If someone has a mild form, or even average form, of the flu, it is unlikely they will see their doctor or go to a hospital and get their blood tested. Consequently, they won't show up on the radar.
