| Summary: | past and present an outbreak. Will it happen again? RATE IN ON AR10 Flit 1 Weelte; feBCALLS Times lit*dii«r Th#n wwfid War LONDON. Dtc, |twn CftftMHn, irta R#trttr*«J—*Th * to,b#n*t* r* ptrtefetft wir c*o*t4 tit* t* four *rid Like this publication from a Canadian newspaper, publications in 1918 continually revealed the growing number of deaths from the Spanish influenza. While today's avian flu is growing, people need to stay informed by reading the CDC's website. important to remember the avian flu is cur-rently confined to Asia, Turkey, Hungry, and Russia, the virus has not yet mutated into a form where humans can be infected by other humans, and the number of infected and deceased people from the influenza is relatively small. Only about 140 cases have been reported, and of those, only half have died,Flaspohler said. Currently, the only way to contract the disease is by coming into contact with affected birds, mainly domesticated chickens and ducks. "It doesn't transmit human to human, but should it acquire that skill, then you could expect a quick outbreak that can spread from Asia to all over the world," Flaspohler said. But the chance is slim for that to happen this year. With time, however, it is very possible for the virus to learn a way to mutate into a human-transmissible form. In Asia the World Health Organization and different centers for disease control are moni-toring people and treating outbreaks. President Bush also announced a $7 billion campaign to improve the infrastructure that will deal with a possible influenza pandemic. As cases of the avian flu occur, people are be-ing treated with the drug Tamiflu. It is effective, but the Tamiflu supply is low. If a world outbreak did occur in the future, "Who gets Tamiflu, and who doesn't?" Flaspohler said. These are the types of questions health care officials are cur-rently trying to decipher. In addition to the insufficient amount of Tami-flu and the possible mutation to a human to hu-man form, there are two other worries about an avian flu outbreak. First, since the virus is new, human immune systems have not developed a resistance. The virus is also a respiratory illness, meaning it is easily transmittable and proxim-ity is not a factor in contracting it. This suggests behavior modification is not sufficient protection. - To stay informed about the avian flu, make sure to read the Center for Disease Control's website. "The role that media plays is getting the facts out there/' Flaspohler said. But they have also been the cause of unnecessary urgency associated with the outbreaks. "People need to be informed of the possible health threat, and they should take it upon them-selves to keep informed about the virus," he said. "But the CDC website has more accurate informa-tion than most local news reports." Even though today's avian flu should not be a means for disorder, we don't want to forget its presence. Someday we may be making up rhymes like the following, which appeared in the Novem-ber 1918 Crescent: Oh, this precious little flu germ (They say it came from Spain) It's a dear friend of the Kaiser Influenza is its name. However, panic is not currently necessary. THE BASEMENT vintage, retro & brand name recycled clothing shirts * coats * sweaters * jeans mens * womens * everybody NEW ARRIVALS DAILY - BUY, SELL, TRADE LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT OF ONE WORLD IMPORTS @ 614 MAIN AVENUE, FARGO, ND 701-297-8882 Rapid I Care 1 4 1 urgent & V walk-in clinic "When waiting is not an option" 8am - 10pm 365 days a year "15 minutes at Rapid Care will save you 2 hours" Fargo 701-232-6211 Moorhead 1517 32nd Ave. S. 720 Main Ave. Located in Moorhead close to the campus at 8th St and Main Ave. We accept all insurance companies, and self-pay rate is the lowest in the F-M area Top Tan In Town! TANNIN TRENDS MAGAZINE sunTRnn Students After 8pm weekdays • All day weekends 4" £ n f / \ f> Regular beds onty«Student 10 required I G 1 1 I U I Student Packages are available! Moorhead 2901 Frontage Rd.S 233-4560 North Fargo South University TJ Maxx Plaza 1119 19lh Ave., N 2607 S Univ. Dr. 4540 13th Ave. 5W 293-6637 2379943 277-5912 entals Your home with us RDHRentals.com
|
|---|