Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Latest Breaking News

NickB79

(20,338 posts)

8. All dangerous human viruses made the jump from animals at one point or another

Reply to cosmicone (Reply #5)

Mon Apr 15, 2013, 12:31 AM

Apr 2013

Why should this one be any different? There is nothing about it's genetic or proteomic structure that makes it IMPOSSIBLE to mutate into a human-to-human strain. It may have a low probability of making the jump, but the consequences of that jump would be dire. Thus, it makes sense to treat the risk seriously for the time being.

Just curious, but what is your background and training on infectious diseases anyway?

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

18 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

China Calling In Flu Experts From Around World as Outbreak Widens [View all] Purveyor Apr 2013 OP

What are their symptoms? Iliyah Apr 2013 #1

Public Health Theater cosmicone Apr 2013 #2

Not everyone has been intimate with chickens, apparently. enlightenment Apr 2013 #3

Due to my background, training and experience cosmicone Apr 2013 #5

All dangerous human viruses made the jump from animals at one point or another NickB79 Apr 2013 #8

Exercising caution and a close watch cosmicone Apr 2013 #10

Excellent advice Stuckinthebush Apr 2013 #11

Agree 100% One nasty virus went from a bat to a civet cat to a family. It doesn't take much of a byeya Apr 2013 #16

maybe they ate chicken? Sunlei Apr 2013 #15

How do you know it won't go human to human? Marrah_G Apr 2013 #4

Read above n/t cosmicone Apr 2013 #6

"Read(ing) above" doesn't answer the question. FourScore Apr 2013 #7

Every year, about 4 bird flu outbreaks occur cosmicone Apr 2013 #12

Not arrogant, simple facts siligut Apr 2013 #17

It is too soon for a panic reaction at this point. Coyotl Apr 2013 #9

This is how the zombie apocalypse begins. nt Javaman Apr 2013 #13

Dang! In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #18

how much raw chicken meat, processed meals are shipped to America? Sunlei Apr 2013 #14