Osterholm comment today about influenza H7N9

[sharon sanders]

Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH comment today about avian influenza H7N9 via email:

"We've learned a lot about influenza since 2009. Yet, as we find ourselves suddenly and unexpectedly immersed in the H7N9 situation, we are again reminded of how many surprises and unanswered questions Mother Nature and the influenza virus have up their respective sleeves. It is truly humbling."

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: Osterholm comment today about influenza H7N9

Yes. The world was caught by surprise again.

I would like to remember a strong remind made by an old time scientist (K. von Economo), about the unprepardness of the world against viral pandemics.

He had clear in mind the devastation made during the end of XIX and the beginning of XX century by some of the worst pathogen ever seen after the Great Plague of Middle Age: the 1888/89 and the 1918/19 influenza pandemics as well as the unexplained sleepy sickness pandemic that wiped out million of people in few years.

He called all scientific community to not wait for another disaster and to be prepared because the past pain has to not repeat again.

Evidently, modern civilization has not learnt much since then.

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Osterholm comment today about influenza H7N9

........Evidently, modern civilization has not learnt much since then.

Too much of the modern scientific community's has chosen profits over health. We have only to look at the US litigation over who "owns" natural genes that were discovered, not built. Top US justices are currently considering a case that will establish a legal precedent - let's hope they choose health over wealth.

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