[tigerlily]

There is a great book by the above title. It talks about how the media works to keep us afraid of various things because it sells. And not afraid of the things that are really big in our society- like poverty and education. Michael Moore used the book in his film Bowling for Columbine. Anyway President Bush's comments and concern about the avian flu have me really thinking about that book. Smoke and mirrors, don't talk about Carl Rove or Tom Delay! The war is going just fine! Let's worry about the avian flu instead!

So my question is this, is your country really scared about the avian flu too? Because it's all over American media.

[foolsgold99]

nothing seems to worry people in NZ, talkback radio was mocking this bird flu thing.

general thoughts appear to be it'll be ok, and we can bodge through any probs with some number eight wire and some kiwi ingenuity

[ENZ]

Articles about bird flu haven't dominated the media here, but there has been plenty of coverage. For example:

http://www.tvnz.co.nz/view/page/410965/616820

The NZ Govt currently employs 26 people (full and part time) on pandemic planning projects.

In the event of human to human spread of Avian flu, it seems New Zealand's borders could be closed:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3419499a11,00.html

Curfews are also being planned - for example:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/timaruherald/0,2106,3436531a6010,00.html

[tigerlily]

Thanks very much for the interesting links! I sure hope it does not come to all that.

[driver]

I was just about to ask the same thing but thought i'd do a search first. Good job I did. Have found this thread and want to add that today in the UK press there was a double page article about how many of us its going to kill. I for one am a little worried, remember michael fish saying there wasn't a hurricane coming? But then my OH says i'll worry about anything.
Seriously though even if the borders are closed will anyone tell the migrating wild birds?

[Kim39]

Does anyone know what the signs and symptoms are in humans?:confused: :confused: :confused:

Elaine (Kims Oh)

[Moorf]

As others have said, there has been coverage of it here, but it's not the "main" news. I think the current "rock snot" situation has had more coverage.

Having said that, in a training course the other day several people were wanting to know where they could get surgical masks for their "avian flu disaster kit" - when I enquired I was told to buy masks now as they are being sold out in places and to stock up on paracetamol.

Could be seen as scaremongering, or could be just a plea for people to be prepared - I was a girl guide so I'll go with the be prepared route :D and will be checking out shares for surgical mask manufacturers :laugh

[Moorf]

Does anyone know what the signs and symptoms are in humans?

BUPA's website in the UK has some good info. Their explanation of the symptoms is as follows:

What are the symptoms of avian flu in humans?

In humans, it has been found that avian flu causes similar symptoms to other types of flu:

fever
cough
sore throat
muscle aches
conjunctivitis
in severe cases of avian flu, it can cause severe breathing problems and pneumonia, and can be fatal.
Source: http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/html/health_news/270104avianflu.html

[Alex]

Good list. :nice1 I was wondering if I'd grow feathers and start pecking at the ground... :laugh

Good article from today's Times:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22369-1830309,00.html

[Timbo]

It sounds as if the NZ authorities are taking it quite seriously;
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3451784a11,00.html

[Stefan T.]

Naturally it can happen, but from epidemiologists here in Germany I heard that the chance is relatively low that the virus mutates into a form similar to the Spanish flu from early 20th century. But happen it can, did, and some day will.

My nigthmare was: I go to NZ to job interviews, leaving my family in Europe, and then the border is closed behind me... Brrr.

Let's hope the best.

[StevieD]

That's good, shut down the borders, but how are they going to prevent infected wildfowl overflying the country and landing there?