bird flu panic - uncalled for ??

Hi all..

This will give you all atleast some idea...

BIRD FLU RACKETEERS
by Dr. Leo Rebello
28/552 Samata Nagar, Kandivali East, Bombay 400101. Tel. 28872741.
Website : www.healthwisdom.org​

In October 2005, I had sent an alert on Bird Flu Epidemic. In that I had written, "There are NO epidemics in normal times. More epidemics are created by vaccines and drugs" and gave detailed Holistic treatment for Flu.
Today (19 Feb) comes the flash news with a banner headline "Bird flu hits Maharashtra". Let us analyse the news, because rarely people can think straight when a SCARE is created, authorities are incapable of taking decisions in emergencies and journalists taking dictation from dumb authorities and dumber scientists have no time to think since they have to meet the deadlines.
1. The report says 36,000 birds died in Nawapur taluka of Maharashtra's Nandurbar district. Now compare that with the blaring headline meant to create worldwide panic. When will newspaper editors ( that guard the reader) be more responsible?
2. It further says that the Animal Disease Laboratory in Bhopal, where poultry samples were sent, confirmed eight birds were diagnosed with H5N1 virus.
3.. It further links 8 persons with mild fever and adds that 80 human blood samples had been sent for tests. Why blood samples from 80 were collected when 8 persons were suffering with mild and unconnected fever? Whose decision was that and what was the basis?
4.. Then, in the accompanying 12 articles / reports the editors of the newspapers cry hoarse as under :
(a) 8 lakh birds will be slaughtered in one week. Why? Like plague is caused by dead rats, will not birds (here meaning chickens) slaughtered create more problem?
(b) Number of birds to be vaccinated - 2 lakhs. How will the authorities vaccinate so many birds and why? Then someone will say, let us vaccinate birds in the neighbouring Maharashtra, then full Maharashtra and then all over India. For decisions are taken by keeping a firm eye on the kickback.
(c) Number of vaccines airlifted from Centre - 10 lakhs. Why had the Centre stocked so many vaccines and where? Are all these vaccines usable?
(d) Airlines to stop chicken dishes. Why this knee jerk decision? Instead what will they provide ? Cow, goat, pig and sheep? Red meat has more toxins.

(e) Cipla to market anti-flu drug from next week. To whom and why?
(f) India has enough Tamiflu stocks. When was this stock ordered? Was it preserved properly?
(g) The Union Health Ministry sounds nationwide alert and the PM orders the Health Ministry to have seven lakh doses of Tamiflu from pharma major Hetero Drugs to prepare for any impact on humans. When Bird Flu very rarely affect human beings, why seven lakh doses of Tamiflu? Whose decision is that?
Let us analyse each of these above statements and their further implications.
First and foremost Flu rarely affects human beings. So far, according to WHO website, only about 100 human beings have been affected by it since 2003. Out 100 how many died? Therefore, to slaughter 8 lakh birds because 8 birds died is really idiotic.
Likewise, to lift 10 lakh vaccines (for whom - for birds or for human beings?) is uncalled for. The report also says that 2 lakh birds have already been vaccinated. Infact, to consume flesh of these vaccinated birds would be more dangerous. What science is this and whose wisdom is at work? Whose pockets are being lined?
Tamiflu vaccines are available as injectable and nasal spray. Injectable vaccine will cause fever, bodyache, running cold among the recipient homo sapiens. Nasal spray will cause violent sneezing. So, has some one investigated, that the Bird Flu will not spread through sneezing because of these vaccines given indiscriminately? True science implicates that this serious hypothesis should be considered. If not considered, why not?
Has someone counted the direct and indirect costs of this false alarm and scare mongering? What will be the cost of 8 lakh+ slaughtered birds to the poultry farms, banks and insurance companies? How these birds will be disposed off? What would be the cost of the disposal?
What is the cost of airlifting Tamiflu vaccines from pharma major Hetero Drugs? What is the kickback to the person who has taken this decision, namely the Union Health Ministry? Who is going to watch over infected meat (due to vaccines) mutating that virus and entering human beings by eating these chickens?
Birds of various plumage have been with us for centuries. So, who is creating this scare? Has somebody investigated that by killing millions of birds indiscriminately we are not going to create a deadly locust attack and food shortage? What kind of leaders are sitting at the helm of affairs to take knee jerk decisions and skewing nation's and world's economy to benefit a few.
Like SARS, Ebola, Marburg, HIV/AIDS, Avian flu is a racket unleashed by the Drug Mafia to control the growing economies of the world. They strike to steal.
This is what I had written on 25th October, 2005, when someone from UK had asked me what to do in case
of Avian Flu Epidemic.
"Like SARS was a false alarm, this gang of mercenary medicine mafia is now creating this false alarm on Avian Flu. Don't panic, birds have been with us for centuries. Do NOT vaccinate them. Do NOT kill them in panic for like the dead rat creates plague, millions of dead of birds will create pandemic. Simply relax and do NOT fall a prey to this misleading propaganda. Above all, do NOT (repeat not) take Avian Flu shot, especially nasal spray. Because, then you will go on sneezing and spread the Avian Flu implanted in the shots by furious sneezing.
FOR FLU MY HOLISTIC TREATMENT IS:
(a) Drink lots of citric fruit juices and clear soups.
(b) No solid food for 3 days. Kanji may be taken, if absolutely necessary.
(c) Warm Neem water bath will give refreshing feeling, especially when there are chills.
(d) Lots of bed rest with windows open / no direct fan.
(e) Morning sun bathing (before 8.00 AM / not more than ten minutes, if possible).
(f) There are many homoeopathic medicines. I am giving only the main ones below :
Head remedy Arsenic Alb 30 -- 4 hourly.
Intercurrent remedy - Influenzinum 30 or 200 / 4 pills, 4 hourly - not more than 3 doses
For rapid prostration - Kali Phos 30 4 pills, 4 hourly. Stop once the patient feels better.
Pyrogenium 200 / 4 pills, 3 hourly if severe back and thigh pains, extreme chilliness, rapid pulse.
(g)The biochemic medicines are: Ferrum phos, Kali mur and Natrum sulph in 6 or 12 x potency 2 pills of each, 3 hourly.
(h) Ginger, cinnamon teas with honey and a dash of sour lime are good. Even mint tea will soothe.
(i) Fresh buttermilk, not refrigerated. Do NOT add sugar or salt. Similarly, one may take fresh coconut water.
Homoeopathic and biochemic medicines are easily available and treatment outlined above is very simple, safe and much cheaper as compared to the astronomical costs of flu vaccines and flu drugs. Will the Health Ministry listen or this is a deliberate game plan during budget session to get more funds allocated for Health

take care
 
Click to expand...
Facts about Avian Influenza or "Bird Flu"

What is avian influenza?

Avian influenza, or "bird flu", is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs. Avian influenza viruses are highly species-specific, but have, on rare occasions, crossed the species barrier to infect humans.

In domestic poultry, infection with avian influenza viruses causes two main forms of disease, distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The so-called "low pathogenic" form commonly causes only mild symptoms (ruffled feathers, a drop in egg production) and may easily go undetected. The highly pathogenic form is far more dramatic. It spreads very rapidly through poultry flocks, causes disease affecting multiple internal organs, and has a mortality that can approach 100%, often within 48 hours.

What are the implications for human health?

The widespread persistence of H5N1 in poultry populations poses two main risks for human health.

The first is the risk of direct infection when the virus passes from poultry to humans, resulting in very severe disease. Of the few avian influenza viruses that have crossed the species barrier to infect humans, H5N1 has caused the largest number of cases of severe disease and death in humans. Unlike normal seasonal influenza, where infection causes only mild respiratory symptoms in most people, the disease caused by H5N1 follows an unusually aggressive clinical course, with rapid deterioration and high fatality. Primary viral pneumonia and multi-organ failure are common. In the present outbreak, more than half of those infected with the virus have died. Most cases have occurred in previously healthy children and young adults.

A second risk, of even greater concern, is that the virus – if given enough opportunities – will change into a form that is highly infectious for humans and spreads easily from person to person. Such a change could mark the start of a global outbreak (a pandemic).

How do people become infected?

Direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and objects contaminated by their faeces, is presently considered the main route of human infection. To date, most human cases
have occurred in rural or periurban areas where many households keep small poultry flocks, which often roam freely, sometimes entering homes or sharing outdoor areas where children play. As infected birds shed large quantities of virus in their faeces, opportunities for exposure to infected droppings or to environments contaminated by the virus are abundant under such conditions. Moreover, because many households in Asia depend on poultry for income and food, many families sell or slaughter and consume birds when signs of illness appear in a flock, and this practice has proved difficult to change. Exposure is considered most likely during slaughter, defeathering, butchering, and preparation of poultry for cooking.
What are the clinical symptoms seen ?

Initial Symptoms
The main symptoms of bird flu in humans are respiratory problems, fever, muscle aches, chest pains, eye symptoms and headache.

Most patients have initial symptoms of high fever (typically a temperature of more than 38°C) and an influenza-like illness with lower respiratory tract symptoms. Upper respiratory tract symptoms are present only sometimes.

Is it safe to eat poultry and poultry products?

Yes, though certain precautions should be followed in countries currently experiencing outbreaks. In areas free of the disease, poultry and poultry products can be prepared and consumed as usual (following good hygienic practices and proper cooking), with no fear of acquiring infection with the H5N1 virus.

In areas experiencing outbreaks, poultry and poultry products can also be safely consumed provided these items are properly cooked and properly handled during food preparation. The H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat. Normal temperatures used for cooking (70oC in all parts of the food) will kill the virus. Consumers need to be sure that all parts of the poultry are fully cooked (no "pink" parts) and that eggs, too, are properly cooked (no "runny" yolks).

Consumers should also be aware of the risk of cross-contamination. Juices from raw poultry and poultry products should never be allowed, during food preparation, to touch or mix with items eaten raw. When handling raw poultry or raw poultry products, persons involved in food preparation should wash their hands thoroughly and clean and disinfect surfaces in contact with the poultry products Soap and hot water are sufficient for this purpose.

In areas experiencing outbreaks in poultry, raw eggs should not be used in foods that will not be further heat-treated as, for example by cooking or baking.

Avian influenza is not transmitted through cooked food. To date, no evidence indicates that anyone has become infected following the consumption of properly cooked poultry or poultry products, even when these foods were contaminated with the H5N1 virus.

Does the virus spread easily from birds to humans?

No. Though more than 100 human cases have occurred in the recent past, this is a small number compared with the huge number of birds affected and the numerous associated opportunities for human exposure, especially in areas where backyard flocks are common. It is not presently understood why some people, and not others, become infected following similar exposures.


What drugs are available for treatment?

Two drugs (in the neuraminidase inhibitors class), oseltamivir (commercially known as Tamiflu) and zanamivir (commercially known as Relenza) can reduce the severity and duration of illness caused by seasonal influenza. The efficacy of the neuraminidase inhibitors depends, among others, on their early administration ( within 48 hours after symptom onset). For cases of human infection with H5N1, the drugs may improve prospects of survival, if administered early, but clinical data are limited. The H5N1 virus is expected to be susceptible to the neuraminidase inhibitors.


HOW DO I AVOID BIRD FLU?
1. Avoid live animal markets .
2. Keep your premises clean from bird droppings and notice for unusual symptoms in pets and domestic fowls.
3. Drink boiled pure water and cover water tanks.
4. Never leave food to dry in the open (vegetables ,wet rice ,salted fish etc)
5. Consult your doctor to dispel any doubts.
 
A brief about the bird flu:

1) There are 15 types of bird, or avian, flu.
2) The most contagious strains, which are usually fatal in birds,
are H5 and H7.
3) The type currently causing concern is the strain H5N1, which can
pass on to Humans.
4) Migratory wildfowl, notably wild ducks, are natural carriers of
the viruses, but are unlikely to actually develop an infection.
5) The risk is that they pass it on to domestic birds, who are much
more susceptible to the virus.
(Source: www.bbc.co.uk)

Some relatively unknown facts about the disease:

1) In the past six to seven years since the disease has been
isolated, There is only one known case of human to human
transmission of this disease in the year 2002 (in Thailand). This
essentially means that the efficacy of transmission is extremely
low. So there is absolutely no reason to panic. (Source:November
2005 Issue of Readers digest "Avian Flu - How scared should you be?")

2) There is no known cases of disease being transmitted by
consumtion of poultry or poultry products.

According to BBC: ( www.bbc.co.uk)

Q: Can I continue to eat chicken?
Yes. Experts say avian flu is not a food-borne virus, so eating
chicken is safe.
Why you need not be scared:

1) The poultry farming in States like Kerala, Tamilnadu, Andra
pradesh and Karnataka has underwent a dramatic change over the past
two decades. From back yard farming poultry industry has changed
over to deep litter or cage system where the chickens are typically
maintained in enclosed premisis. This essentially means that there
is no possibility of contact with migratory birds.

2) Eggs and broilers are exported from Namakkal and udumalpet to
middle east, african and european countries. They are even exported
to Japan where they have the most stringent screening process for
Avian flu and other diseases. These facts hold testimony to the high
quality and biosecurity levels the industry has achieved over the
years. (Source: The Hindu & Business line)

3) The Bird flu virus is extremely unstable and cannot survive in
temperatures above 45 degrees. So in Indian style of cooking
(Boiling or deep frying) these viruses have no chances of survival.
So is there reason to be scared? you decide.
 
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