Am I the only "chicken" when it comes to Bird Flu in the RD?

samanasuenos · Feb 11, 2006

For those of you wholly unconcerned with the potential Bird Flu Pandemic, the news fasters, and those who know better than I, sincere apologies to you all.

For everyone else:

Am I the only person FREAKING. OUT. Over 1) the rapid spread of brid flu: Asia-Turkey-Africa-Colombia -- and -- 2) the importance of chickens in the RD? an ETA for Bird Flu in the RD?

Am I a victim of the news media hype? Should I just shut up and get on with my sad and shallow Walter Mitty Milk Toast and Platano Life?

All opinions will be welcome, especially those of Mirador. Something tells me that Mira and Tamborista, among others, would be worth reading on this thread.

Let me rephrase my questions:

1. It appears to me that Bird Flu is moving quicker than I expected, nearing the Americas sooner than I anticipated (Colombia already!). This FREAKS ME OUT. And you?

2. I am especially freaked out when I think of how many chickens move through human hands in the RD and how little government interest there has been/will be in taking any REAL preventive measures. Until it is too late. Then they will take the chickens away from the poor people. I am not wanting to be government bashing (for the moment), simply stating what appear to me to be facts of life.
SO. I AM EVEN MORE FREAKED OUT. And you?

With Manic Panic, -- Sam, the chicken

P.D. Nothing makes me smile like an older lady in a dress on a motoconcho with a live chicken tied and wedged between her and the driver. LONG LIVE THE CHICKENS! COCK. A. DOO. DULL. DOO.

NALs · Feb 11, 2006

samanasuenos said:
For those of you wholly unconcerned with the potential Bird Flu Pandemic, the news fasters, and those who know better than I, sincere apologies to you all.

For everyone else:

Am I the only person FREAKING. OUT. Over 1) the rapid spread of brid flu: Asia-Turkey-Africa-Colombia -- and -- 2) the importance of chickens in the RD? an ETA for Bird Flu in the RD?

Am I a victim of the news media hype? Should I just shut up and get on with my sad and shallow Walter Mitty Milk Toast and Platano Life?

All opinions will be welcome, especially those of Mirador. Something tells me that Mira and Tamborista, among others, would be worth reading on this thread.

Let me rephrase my questions:

1. It appears to me that Bird Flu is moving quicker than I expected, nearing the Americas sooner than I anticipated (Colombia already!). This FREAKS ME OUT. And you?

2. I am especially freaked out when I think of how many chickens move through human hands in the RD and how little government interest there has been/will be in taking any REAL preventive measures. Until it is too late. Then they will take the chickens away from the poor people. I am not wanting to be government bashing (for the moment), simply stating what appear to me to be facts of life.
SO. I AM EVEN MORE FREAKED OUT. And you?

With Manic Panic, -- Sam, the chicken

P.D. Nothing makes me smile like an older lady in a dress on a motoconcho with a live chicken tied and wedged between her and the driver. LONG LIVE THE CHICKENS! COCK. A. DOO. DULL. DOO.

Think of all of this in the following way:

Whether you "freakout" or not, the bird flu will either hit or miss the DR.

If the DR is spared, then it was a total waste of time to be "freakedout".

If the DR is not spared, what can you do? It got hit, along with the rest of the world.

Just take your precautions around those creatures, make sure you don't touch blood from any bird. Aside from that, there is not much anyone can do about this.

This highly goes against one of my mottos which is: Don't worry about things you can't control!

-NALs

andrea9k · Feb 11, 2006

Good Nals. She is talking about bird flu, not hurricane season. I am becoming vegetarian. Long life tofu!

NALs · Feb 11, 2006

andrea9k said:
Good Nals. She is talking about bird flu, not hurricane season. I am becoming vegetarian. Long life tofu!

Ha ha, very funny. :cheeky:

There has not been a single case of human to human tranfer of Bird flu and the few people who have contracted bird flu (so far) were touching and (in the case of children) playing with infected animals.

There have been no reports of bird flu being transmitted from well cooked poultry to any human, so I suspect changing to vegetarianism is not something everyone should aim towards. We don't want to decimate an entire industry simply on paranoia.

However, if anyone decides to go vegetarian, remember to replace certain nutrients that are only found in meat with supplements. Although, the best way of obtaining any type of nutrient or vitamin is from its natural source, supplements should help balance a person's diet, assuming people want to be healthy.

And again, there is not much people can do about this disease. Thus, keep an eye on this, but don't lose any sleep over this either. As long that things continue as they are, most humans will not get infected with this disease.

-NALs

samanasuenos · Feb 11, 2006

Thanks both of you!

I just noticed that I posted in the travel/general, not plain ole general as intended; sorry moderator!

Nals - thank you for reminding me of something I had forgotten - that all cases in humans have been bird-to-human, and not human-to-human (a mutation of the original virus).

See, this is why I was a "news faster" for so long............

gary short · Feb 11, 2006

Don't eat chicken sushi or sacrifice roosters during voodoo rituals unless you're wearing surgical gloves and a full face shield, then you should be ok. How many people die from malaria compared to bird flue every day.

Mirador · Feb 12, 2006

First, my knowledge on this subject is very limited. I'm not an epidemiologist or a virologist. I'm a folk healer. However, I've managed to glean the following from different sources.

Avian influenza (H5N1) has been spreading through migratory birds and infecting local birds and poultry throughout the world.

There has been a number of human infections traced to handling of sick or dead birds.

There are no known cases of human infection from human-to-human contact.

For human to human contact, the H5N1 virus first has to mutate, and this hasen't happened yet. However, this possibility increases with every bird to human infection.

Those countries where Avian influenza has appeared, are trying to reduce the possibility of bird-to-human infection by destroying and culling local infected poultry.

Once H5N1 mutates into a human-to-human form of transmission, scientists can only guess as to its potential virulence, and possible treatments.

The antiviral drug Tamiflu is being stockpiled as a possible treatment, but the reason is because Mr. Donald Rumsfeld has a stake in its production, just like he did with Aspartame.

laurapasinifan · Feb 12, 2006

first if you are worried about dying from the bird flu.....dont even think about driving you car ever again!!!!!!!!!!!!

in the dr , there is probably a 1000 times great chance of dying via the automoblie than the bird flu...maybe even more!

and besides with customs in the DR the birds will die of old age at the customs impoundment before they make it through to thier destination

bob

mido · Feb 12, 2006

Mirador said:
The antiviral drug Tamiflu is being stockpiled as a possible treatment, but the reason is because Mr. Donald Rumsfeld has a stake in its production, just like he did with Aspartame.

Where do you have this information from?

samanasuenos · Feb 12, 2006

Dear Gary

gary short said:
Don't eat chicken sushi or sacrifice roosters during voodoo rituals unless you're wearing surgical gloves and a full face shield, then you should be ok. How many people die from malaria compared to bird flue every day.

Thanks Gary, now I know who my friends are.

I am bummed - no more chicken sushi. What about my fav fab chicken creme brulee, or fresh-squeezed chicken juice, with seeds?

NO rooster sacrifice? Damn, how will I stay the hottest senior citizen librarian in Phooenix? (just kidding).

A face shield? No comment. I will need viagra first. Chau chau!xxx-- Sam

Mirador · Feb 12, 2006

mido said:
Where do you have this information from?

It's in all the relevant blogs, including some mainstream media. You can google for details.

gary short · Feb 12, 2006

samanasuenos said:
Thanks Gary, now I know who my friends are. I am bummed - no more chicken sushi. What about my fav fab chicken creme brulee, or fresh-squeezed chicken juice, with seeds?

NO rooster sacrifice? Damn, how will I stay the hottest senior citizen librarian in Phooenix? (just kidding).

A face shield? No comment. I will need viagra first. Chau chau!xxx-- Sam

I just opened todays newspaper and what do I see "H5N1 virus now found in Italy, Greece and Bulgaria". Yikes! I'm sure I read somewhere that H5N1 is resistent to Tamiflu.

samanasuenos · Feb 12, 2006

Thank you Mirador!

Mirador said:
First, my knowledge on this subject is very limited. I'm not an epidemiologist or a virologist. I'm a folk healer. However, I've managed to glean the following from different sources.

Avian influenza (H5N1) has been spreading through migratory birds and infecting local birds and poultry throughout the world.

There has been a number of human infections traced to handling of sick or dead birds.

There are no known cases of human infection from human-to-human contact.

For human to human contact, the H5N1 virus first has to mutate, and this hasen't happened yet. However, this possibility increases with every bird to human infection.

Those countries where Avian influenza has appeared, are trying to reduce the possibility of bird-to-human infection by destroying and culling local infected poultry.

Once H5N1 mutates into a human-to-human form of transmission, scientists can only guess as to its potential virulence, and possible treatments.

The antiviral drug Tamiflu is being stockpiled as a possible treatment, but the reason is because Mr. Donald Rumsfeld has a stake in its production, just like he did with Aspartame.

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Thank you Mirador, you are always interesting. AND well-written.

I'm a folk healer. !! You are a lot more than that - you give such good advice on a myriad of subjects here...

For human to human contact, the H5N1 virus first has to mutate, and this hasen't happened yet. However, this possibility increases with every bird to human infection.

Don't you believe that mutation is inevitable?

Thank you for connecting Donny Rotten with Tamiflu. Any folk remedies along the lines of Tamiflu?

I am currently stockpiling herbal goodies that we can use with or without Bird Flu: garlic, ginger, echinacea/golden seal, elderberry syrup, Emergen-C powder, zinc, good water that will keep, dried ****ake mushrooms, spirulina, colloidal silver......I am sure you can recommend others. Would you please?

samanasuenos · Feb 12, 2006

H5n1

gary short said:
I just opened todays newspaper and what do I see "H5N1 virus now found in Italy, Greece and Bulgaria". Yikes! I'm sure I read somewhere that H5N1 is resistent to Tamiflu.

Yes Gary, that is what I read last night, and why I am so freaked out. Ugh.

I think it is still bird-to-human, only.

All caca will hit the fan if/when it mutates to a human-to-human form....ojala que no!

Mirador · Feb 12, 2006

Don't you believe that mutation is inevitable?

It is not inevitable, however, epidemiologists and virologist tend to agree, considering the evolution of other influenza pandemics in the past, that the probabilities are quite high.

Any folk remedies along the lines of Tamiflu?

There are many folk remedies.

I am currently stockpiling herbal goodies that we can use with or without Bird Flu: garlic, ginger, echinacea/golden seal, elderberry syrup, Emergen-C powder, zinc, good water that will keep, dried ****ake mushrooms, spirulina, colloidal silver......I am sure you can recommend others. Would you please?

Click to expand...

There is a common misconception regarding folk healing and herbal remedies. Herbal remedies don't quite work the way scientific medicine and pharmacology does. Herbal remedies are not independent of origin and practitioner. A traditional herbal practitioner selects and picks his own plants, under certain meteorological and environmental conditions. Their preparation is a craft in itself, and the dosage and therapeutic regime is established on a case by case, patient to patient basis. It is very dangerous to self-medicate with herbs.

samanasuenos · Feb 12, 2006

Thank you Mirador

Thank you Mirador. I get it.

I am sorry for quickly reading and confusing the two terms/names. I get it.

(You are right - self medicating (with anything!) is always dangerous. That is why I have been studying alternative medicine(s)/healing, on and off, for over 20 years. I am NO expert. I am not a professional. I do not give advice. I just manage my own health.)

And thanks again for your input - always valued highly. -- Sam

samanasuenos · Feb 12, 2006

What do you think of the study of "Signatures" - that is the shap of the root/plant/leaf identifies which part of the human body can be most assisted by the plant:

ex. Ginseng root looks like a man, so they say.

Are there Dominican plants that follow this theory? (I can lawfully hi-jack this thread without flaming repercussions,because I am the OP - right?)

samanasuenos · Feb 12, 2006

From http://www.netshopsusa.com/shop/avian.birdflu.html

"Tamiflu?, manufactured by Roche, a Swiss Company, is the FDA approved medicine purported to be an effective treatment for influenza. With the threat of the Bird Flu looming, stocks of Tamiflu? are in great demand and supplies are limited.

As with most pharmaceuticals, the active ingredient is found in nature. In this case, the fruit of the Star Anise tree (Illicium Verum) is the starting point in the manufacturing of this wonder drug. Chinese medical practitioners have used a tea of this licorice-tasting fruit to treat respiratory problems for hundreds of years. The active component of the fruit is Shikimic Acid. Shikimic Acid is undisputedly the active component in both star anise and Tamiflu?.

Star Anise, standardized to shikimic acid, is the world's only natural weapon against bird flu (Avian Flu). Its chief active constituent, shikimic acid, is also the main component in Tamiflu?.

(I deleted some marketing blurb urging you to buy their product...)

Can I find Star Anise (not "star's anus") in the RD? By what name? Gracias! -- Sam I am,
a Chicken

samanasuenos · Feb 12, 2006

Donald Rumsfeld to Profit Big Time (true story!)

Mirador said:
It's in all the relevant blogs, including some mainstream media. You can google for details.

From:

http://www.mercola.com/blog/2005/oct/18/avian_flu_epidemic_scare_is_a_hoax

Donald Rumsfeld to Profit Big Time

So those 20 million doses the government has authorized will cost US Taxpayers 2 BILLION dollars.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will likely profit handsomely from the announcement the government is purchasing $2 billion of Tamiflu, the drug developed by Gilead Sciences when Rumsfeld was president of the company. He is reported to hold major portions of stock in Gilead

Not very different from his previous experience with aspartame where he was president of Searle and was able to get asparatame approved after being blocked by the FDA for more than a decade.

Now I think very few of us would mind if this drug actually worked and prevented even a few people from dying. But does it do that? Not really. About all anyone can expect from this drug is that it might make the symptoms a bit less severe. On the downside (aside from setting you back $100) Dr. Tenpenny explained in her Flu Tele Clinic last week Tamiflu can actually cause the virus to mutate into a more dangerous and potent viral strain.

Yesterday US Congress asked Roche, the maker of Tamiflu to suspend its patent and have others make it because they could not likely keep up with the demand, but of course Roche refused saying Tamiflu is hard to make and it would take another company three years to "get up to speed".

What they were really saying is they could care less about the public, what their primary focus on was to not share their windfall profits mandated by the US Congress.

samanasuenos · Feb 12, 2006

Dear Bob

laurapasinifan said:
first if you are worried about dying from the bird flu.....dont even think about driving you car ever again!!!!!!!!!!!!

in the dr , there is probably a 1000 times great chance of dying via the automoblie than the bird flu...maybe even more!

and besides with customs in the DR the birds will die of old age at the customs impoundment before they make it through to thier destination

bob

http://www.iadb.org/NEWS/Display/WSView.cfm?WS_Num=ws00706&Language=English

"The British consulting firm Maplecroft developed a Pandemic Risk Index that ranks 161 countries. In that study, seven countries in Central America and the Caribbean are considered at extremely high or high risk, including Haiti, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guatemala, El Salvador and Jamaica.":ermm:

Am I the only "chicken" when it comes to Bird Flu in the RD?

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