Here we go again ... another story with a big, ol' scary headline warning about Bird Flu in China. USAToday yesterday had the headline:"China Reports Fifth Bird Flu Death This Year."
But, if you read to the third paragraph, you'll see: "The Health Ministry said after the earlier deaths this month that there is no evidence of a large-scale outbreak of bird flu. It said the illnesses were isolated, unrelated and did not show significant mutations of the H5N1 virus."
But, our culture loves gloom and doom: the "fear du jour", if you will. Let's see how this ramps up the next couple of days, because we need to add more to the public's already heavy burden of worries: economy, war, Obama possibly being The Devil, Pelosi possibly bringing down Western Civilization, etc. Let's toss BIRD FLU on the Poop Pile O' Life while we're at it, shall we?
But, what's the reality of it all? If you look at World Health Organization's statistics regarding avian flu, since 2003 to date there have still been "only" 403 confirmed cases of bird flu resulting in "only" 254 deaths ... world wide!
Let's compare Bird Flu to just "regular ol' influenza" here in the U.S. According to a story in the L.A. Times (Sept. 2008), some 5 to 20% of the population gets the flu, resulting in 20,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths. Bird flu? -- it hasn't even reached this continent. And, God forbid, if it did, I think the stats would pale in comparison to other strains of influenza. I wonder what the influenza stats are for China, with its far greater population than ours. (I tried googling for that, but all I could get were links to bird flu ... interesting. See? It's hard to get perspective on this stuff.)
So, when you read those headlines the next couple of days, just shake your head and turn the page. Keep warm, sleep and exercise, and stay away from those who have flu symptoms. (Now, I working in a virtual germ factory have to take evasive action on a daily basis.)
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