Flu "pandemic"

[Mikkel]

The Black Death was an outbreak of bubonic plague which is caused by a bacterium. The last (third) pandemic of this plague killed millions worldwide between the mid-18th to early-20th centuries.

I do believe that the jury is still out on exactly what the "Black Death" was. If you read the wikipedia entry a bit more closely bubonic plague spread by rats is the old-school verdict - newer research suggests haemorrhagic fever. Only certainty is that the more recent plagues were bubonic plague.

Old days: Plague = anything that kills a lot of people.

[madbikeboy]

I do believe that the jury is still out on exactly what the "Black Death" was. If you read the wikipedia entry a bit more closely bubonic plague spread by rats is the old-school verdict - newer research suggests haemorrhagic fever. Only certainty is that the more recent plagues were bubonic plague.

Old days: Plague = anything that kills a lot of people.

Interesting, I got the idea it was haemorrhagic from a scientist mate of mine (she's good looking, and smart). We got talking about it the other night for a few hours.

As for sea level rise, and global warming - yeah, huge concern, not only because I live 40 meters from the water... Climate change brings us more bad weather, does anyone recall Hurricane Katrina - well, more of the same is on the way...

[doc]

They have a preserved rat in the Auckland medical school patholgy museum exhibits . This rat carried the Bubonic plague virus and was found in Remuera in the 70's ish. Don' ask about what some science students of the same era, did when their nuclear experiments that didn't work

[Mikkel]

Interesting, I got the idea it was haemorrhagic from a scientist mate of mine (she's good looking, and smart). We got talking about it the other night for a few hours.

That's always an issue with historical events - for starters medical science in the dark ages was largely unexisting (nor was any kind of non-church sanctioned studies encouraged, unless you were really cold). As such it's incredibly difficult to establish what it was. More recent plagues are a bit easier to deal with since the records are better.

I watched a very interesting documentary on the black death a few years back. Some of the historic sources suggests a pattern that would fit bubonic plague and others again contradict that theory. Ultimately I doubt anyone would be able to rule out bubonic plague and a haemorrhagic fever in combination. After all, if one epidemic weakens the people the second one should have an even easier time getting a foothold.

Smallpox makes for some very interesting reading too - good thing it appears we've got that boxed in... for now.

As for sea level rise, and global warming - yeah, huge concern, not only because I live 40 meters from the water... Climate change brings us more bad weather, does anyone recall Hurricane Katrina - well, more of the same is on the way...

Yep, we pretty much have no idea what we are in for in that regard. Except that we're going to see change, most likely dramatic change. Guess getting a really good set of wets might be worthwhile after all

[madbikeboy]

Smallpox makes for some very interesting reading too - good thing it appears we've got that boxed in... for now.



Yep, we pretty much have no idea what we are in for in that regard. Except that we're going to see change, most likely dramatic change. Guess getting a really good set of wets might be worthwhile after all

Hmm, for now is right.


My GF is doing her PhD in Environmental Sustainability... So I get it...

[scracha]

It's like the recession no? Don't mention it as it makes it all worse.

Bhwhahaha.

[Disco Dan]

I'm pretty concerned about this. I have a family member that works at North Shore hospital:

They have body bags stockpiled.
There is only enough tamiflu for 1/3 of the population.

Few more things, but I cannot say without identifying the person or getting others in trouble.

But on the lighter side... I found a few jokes already...

[Brian d marge]

interesting reading this thread

but you most probably have had swine fever ,,, you remember when you got pinged for 105 in a 100 zone ,.... you show pretty much all the symptoms then .....

most of the time , its the rhino virus ( so Jim said on National radio the other day ) if you get influenza you WILL know about it and if buying Tami flu makes you happy ,,go for it

The idiots over here have been buying masks ,,,cause TV said so ...

Me I am washing my hands and gargling and following your basic hygiene..

either way when the big page turns and your name comes up , there ain't no point in arguing , just make damn sure you have had a good time ,,,,

a tishoo a tishoo we all fall down ...........
Stephen

[Hans]

Is that a swine in my pocket or am i just happy to see flu?

I just flu in from Mexico and boy, are my arms sore.


Etc...

Etc..

[Badjelly]

On the question of whether the pandemic of swine flu (we call it H1N1 these days) is overhyped, I reckon this guy makes a lot of sense:

http://www.badscience.net/2009/04/parmageddon/

Actually, every column and blog post written by Ben Goldacre makes a lot of sense. Why don't we have a single newspaper columnist in NZ of the same quality? Michael Laws? Rosemary whats-her-name? Puh-lease! But I digress.

[Quasievil]

Still, we've got other things than viruses to worry about too.

so what bro, if I have a glass of water with a ice cube stuck to the side of it, then it unsticks whats the difference? nothing bar the small percentage of it above the water line if it melts.

Global warming........maybe, climates changed since earth ws created and will always do so, Man made PFFFTT !! its the biggest swindle in the modern world, designed to get people paid and that dont include us

[Badjelly]

so what bro, if I have a glass of water with a ice cube stuck to the side of it, then it unsticks whats the difference? nothing bar the small percentage of it above the water line if it melts.

Global warming........maybe, climates changed since earth ws created and will always do so, Man made PFFFTT !! its the biggest swindle in the modern world, designed to get people paid and that dont include us

The cogency of your argument astounds me!

[Mikkel]

so what bro, if I have a glass of water with a ice cube stuck to the side of it, then it unsticks whats the difference? nothing bar the small percentage of it above the water line if it melts.

Indeed, and that is why it would make no difference if the north pole melts... Archimedes principle.

However, the south pole (and Greenland I might add) is quite different in that regard. While the iceshelves themselves are not too much of a concern all of the ice sitting on the antarctic continent mainland is - if all of that melts it will make a difference. Simply because it's not already floating in the ocean. And some of that ice is being held back by the iceshelves - imagine ice layered 3 kms deep for a start...

Global warming........maybe, climates changed since earth ws created and will always do so, Man made PFFFTT !! its the biggest swindle in the modern world, designed to get people paid and that dont include us

Indeed the climate changes over time - however it is very very important to understand how human activity impacts upon the change as well as just understanding and preparing for the potential consequences of natural climate change. After all, one would have to be an utter imbecile to argue against sustainability!



Anyway, swine flu...

[Quasievil]

Indeed the climate changes over time - however it is very very important to understand how human activity impacts upon the change as well as just understanding and preparing for the potential consequences of natural climate change. After all, one would have to be an utter imbecile to argue against sustainability!

im interested in continuing the climate change discussion but it needs its own thread really, however I will say, that human activity doesnt and hasnt encouraged or promoted climate change at all.
There is a list of 31000 scientists many PHD who have signed a petition stating denying that man is responsible for global warming including 9000 with PHDs who suggest carbon dioxide and methane gases are actually bennificial for the enviroment, there is no similiar list with even 500 scientists suggesting the opposite.
Daily Telegraph article
Quoted (in part) from AIR CON, Ian Wisharts book

The whole global warming thing is about money, kyoto has taken Trillions and for what gain, next is the copenhagen treay, that will take more and it will take it from the average kiwi to the tune of around $3,000 pa minimum.

anyway new thread somewhere, and Im interested in the whole thing (both sides) im having a bit of a personal study on it

[Badjelly]

...anyway new thread somewhere, and Im interested in the whole thing (both sides) im having a bit of a personal study on it.

Sounds good to me. I've been having a bit of a personal study on it, too, but I think we've been looking at different books!