Been a while since we had a good Mystery Disease coming out of deepest darkest Africa.  So far not a lot of info about what causes it or how it's transmitted.  400 cases, about 80 deaths, so 20% mortality, not too bad.

Who thinks this one will take off?

https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2024/12/05/g-s1-37002/disease-x-democratic-republic-congo

How worried should we be about Disease X?

RE

Quote from: RE on Dec 06, 2024, 06:00 AMBeen a while since we had a good Mystery Disease coming out of deepest darkest Africa.  //
Who thinks this one will take off?

https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2024/12/05/g-s1-37002/disease-x-democratic-republic-congo

How worried should we be about Disease X?

RE

Not from deepest, darkest, but home grown:

https://www.iflscience.com/first-severe-human-infection-of-bird-flu-virus-in-the-us-shows-signs-of-mutation-77410

First Severe Human Infection Of Bird Flu Virus In The US Shows Signs Of Mutation

Got raw milk?

Quote from: Surly1 on Jan 03, 2025, 11:53 AMFirst Severe Human Infection Of Bird Flu Virus In The US Shows Signs Of Mutation
Got raw milk?

I remember when Matt Savinar (original peak oil doomer, unemployed ambulance chaser, palm reader and recently substitute public school teacher) was selling the older versions of bird flu when peak oil turned into a dud, and he needed something to scare the ever plentiful disciples into more solar ovens and his Amazon store sales.

I have heard some reports from Michigan detailing quite a robust flu season, didn't think anything of it until I noticed this article. Mutation of one of these pesky bugs has always been a more reasonable path to some form of doom than the usual (OMG do we have to recycle this one AGAIN) types.

That's quite an ad home running down of Matt Savinar, which is wholly inappropriate in this context. At best it's a misplaced metaphor, and meaningless.
But if you're scoring at home, bird flu has already claimed its first victim. As it's useless to speculate how many more it will claim. But with an incoming Trump administration, and an American public wholly propagandized to believe that perfectly anodyne public health measures are the devil's work, and with RFK The Lesser in charge of the public health portfolio, I am not optimistic. 

https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-louisiana-mutations-cdc-a870a8d4d86d3dd95f4c0d5c7e9edee5

Should you trouble yourself to read the article you'll see the researcher says the risk of infection to others is low. Sorry, but I've heard this one before.

Quote from: Surly1 on Jan 07, 2025, 07:43 PMThat's quite an ad home running down of Matt Savinar, which is wholly inappropriate in this context.

Ad hom attacks and insults are our forum Troll's signature means of disrupting the conversation here, along with straw man arguments and appeals to authority.  We tolerate him because however slim the chance, we feel anyone can at some point change.  He does try your patience though.

RE

QuoteShould you trouble yourself to read the article you'll see the researcher says the risk of infection to others is low. Sorry, but I've heard this one before.

Yes, 1 mutation away from a flu with a 40% death rate that spreads like wildfire.

Spreading through a population that compares holes in a surgical mask to holes in a chain link fence, seeing no difference.

Quote from: RE on Jan 07, 2025, 08:57 PM

Quote from: Surly1 on Jan 07, 2025, 07:43 PMThat's quite an ad home running down of Matt Savinar, which is wholly inappropriate in this context.

Ad hom attacks and insults are our forum Troll's signature means of disrupting the conversation here, along with straw man arguments and appeals to authority.  We tolerate him because however slim the chance, we feel anyone can at some point change.  He does try your patience though.

RE

We must have faith.  On one of his many trips to the cooler, it could happen.  He could see the light.

Quote from: K-Dog on Jan 07, 2025, 10:17 PMWe must have faith.  On one of his many trips to the cooler, it could happen.  He could see the light.

Old dogs don't learn new tricks. Not everyone can be a K-Dog...