Remember previous discussions about the next flu pandemic? Turns out the mortality estimates were on the low side.
If a flu virus as deadly as the one that caused 1918 Spanish flu struck today, it could kill as many as 81 million worldwide, a new study estimates.
By applying historical death rates to modern population data, the researchers calculated a death toll of 51 million to 81 million, with a median estimate of 62 million.
That’s surprisingly high, said lead researcher Chris Murray of Harvard University. He’d done the analysis in part because he thought prior claims of 50 million deaths were wildly inflated.
“We expected to end up with a number between 15 and 20 million,” said Murray. “It turns out we were wrong.”
“We know that even if we have much lower numbers of deaths worldwide than in 1918, the world will be severely stressed,” said Dr. Keiji Fukuda, coordinator of WHO’s Global Influenza Programme. “Speculating about the possible numbers is an interesting exercise, but the really important thing is, what do we do about it?“
And that still is the critical question.
Does it matter when secret documents are hidden in the mud by Clinton officials. When are you gonna comment on Sandy Buger? How about the coronation of Pelosi? You San Fran liberals are more of a threat than any virus.
The world is coming to an end….We’ll have that story and more on action news at 11:00.
I see. There’s a special sub-species of troll that can’t spell proper nouns.
Flu pandemic ‘could kill 81 million’
Or not!
Steve
The flu virus thrives best in cooler weather. By all doing our part to contribute to Global Warming (TM) we will also be doing our part to weaken any potential for pandemic.
Sounds to me like another avenue for the elites to try and control the behavior of the masses. I urge everyone to NEVER change their behavior based on any of the big scare tactic campaigns.
I heard it could kill five billion trillion quadrillion people, i heard the whole planet inhabitants will be vaporized, and life as we know will cease to exist. And the clowns will inherit the earth.
This planet could use some depopulation. Bring it on.
Lets hope they are all those stupid Americans.
#1, Does it matter when secret documents are hidden in the mud by Clinton officials. When are you gonna comment on Sandy Buger? How about the coronation of Pelosi? You San Fran liberals are more of a threat than any virus.
Comment by Bob — 12/22/2006 @ 9:43 am
No sir. It is the rabid demophobes, such as yourself, that are the greatest danger to society.
A pandemic flu would hurt near all aspects of society as we know it. From the ship sailing from China with an ill crew to the airline that doesn’t have enough stewards to man their planes. From the hospitals that don’t have enough people to clean the linen to the drug stores that don’t have enough clerks to stock the shelves.
And that, Bob, is what makes this a topic for discussion.
Well with any luck we will run out of oil, then have a massive bird flu epidemic.
This should greatly reduce both consumption and carbon emissions levels. This would be a huge win-win for the greenies.
Ever noticed how everyone seems to be rooting for massive population losses???
Since the flu vaccine will only be for government workers, I am keeping track of two women who see 100% of flu and cold infections immediately disappearing when they pray to Jesus for someone. They both are here in Jacksonville. I wish I had that gift.
But then again, I see 50% of cancer cases healed and 80% of arthritis cases healed when I pray to Jesus for someone. No recovery time needed and no staggering hospital bill.
81 million WORLD wide???
That isnt even 1%…
Scare sells.
This will hurt third world countries much more so than Western nations…
…but it’s good to see you guys are more focused on left vs. right. I agree: Fuck the poor. Good job guys.
The “funniest” comments are from the dudes who obviously have a problem comprehending numbers larger than 20 — even using their toes.
#17, Good point, but he made it to #16.
I see these numbers as actually being low. There are many factors that could make them a lot higher than 1918……just 1 being the ability of people to travel through many countries before even knowing they are sick.
The next one will wipe out whole populations of some areas due to AID’s, mal-nourishment, and lack of even basic health care. (Africa, large parts of Asia, the Middle East) The most vulnerable will be the elderly, the very young, those with heart conditions, those with respiritory problems and chronic desieses such as AID’s.
The West(Europe, the US., Canada, Japan, the Chinese elite, Australia and Russia) should be fine. These are areas where food is plentiful, the elderly and the very young will be vaccinated as well as those with AIDS, Lung or heart [problems and access to good or better health care.
The populations of the nonfirst world are huge, and 81 million will be a drop in the bucket.
Oh…and Elvis…..piss off!!!!
Elvis, I was offended by your comment until I looked at your site. Pitiful.