February 21 Flu Update--Very information rich environment today.
Welcome to our many, many new visitors from
whatREALLYhappened. Enjoy the news, though it may be a bit more mainstream than you like!
Really interesting Q&A in New Yorker on the bird flu...actual article not online.
Here, the CDC head has startling words on the bird flu, one of which is "ominous."Fascinating Scientific American article on computer simlulations of flu transmission in major cities. This article captures what fascinates me about the flu. How it spreads and how we deal with it are the closest measure of how we live and relate as I can imagine. Example: if we were asked to donate our entire antiviral stock to Thailand with the hope it would stop the spread, but we knew if it didn't we would be defenseless, would we?
Nancy Cox of CDC on bird flu preperations. She notes a fine line between preparing people and scaring them.
Recombinomics is slaying dragons today, first on the fatality rate. Says it is convetional wisdom that real rate isn't in the 70% range, but says there is no evidence it isn't. Sobering thoughts on a very virulent virus.
Next, the human-human transmission myth. Recombinomics urges a distinction between transmission in casual contact, and transmission in caregiver situations, arguing that the second has clearly occurred, and, in fact, human-human has been achieved.Effect Measure on the "Sword of Damocles analogy" used in Vietnam. Further info from Dr. Cox of CDC says that the virus has mutated for human tranmission, with Effect Measures says is a first.Literary definition of "Sword of Damocles," meaning ever present peril.
Feb 20 Flu Update
Vietnam responds to non-respiratory flu cases. Says its "possible" some H5N1 cases were missed.
its not H5N1, but three sudden flu deaths are causing concern. A point...the 1918 flu was unlike anything that came before it. We cannot assume that the next pandemic will not be equally novel.
February 12 Flu Update--Brief. Check back for Washington Post Coverage on Sunday.
Effect Measure on bird flu sites, first promoting this site (thank you!) and second, noting that since his review (noted below) of Recombinomics, has been silent--no site updates at all. If these events are connected, its a shame, because the Effect Measure site gave a thumbs-up look on Recominomics. Dialogue is what blogging is about. Hopefully, there's another explanation, and Recombinomics will be back.
More evidence of a slow down, Vietnam reports no new outbreaks in 7 provincesProMed Mail on culling fowl in Thailand.
Recombinomics Evaluated
We quote recombinomics here a lot. He's provacative, educated, and a great source of news on the flu. I think he adds to my site, and most of you who are reading this came here from his site. My blog is to keep track of the news, and leave the evaluating to others. In that vein,
Effect Measure evaluates Recombinomics today. See what you think.
