Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Influenza

Hugh Hewitt has a link to some articles in Foreign Affairs about the possible effects of the newest strain (H5N1) of avian flu. I spent most of my lunch hour reading them instead of blogging. This is good information to have as we look ahead to flu season, because this latest strain has a greater potential than earlier strains to cause a pandemic.

Laurie Garrett looks at the causes and effects of influenza outbreaks and why this year's avian flu could rank up there with the worst of the earlier ones.

Michael T. Osterholm looks at the preparations that can be made to better equip us to handle whichever pandemic may come.

William B. Karesh and Robert A. Cook look at the links found between animals and humans in the various flu and non-flu viral outbreaks.

There are other links that are worth reading as well. As the avian flu spreads across Russia toward the rest of Europe, it's best to remember the Boy Scout motto and be prepared.

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