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The_Absolute
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I heard that the avian flu could kill more than 3,000,000,000 human beings. Is this really possible?
The_Absolute said:I heard that the avian flu could kill more than 3,000,000,000 human beings. Is this really possible?
The_Absolute said:Is it possible for a virus/pandemic to literally threaten the existence of life on earth? Could human beings as well as millions of other species go extinct within a few years if H5N1 were to mutate into something apocalyptically more horrendous?
The Dagda said:No. The more deadly a virus the less easily it can infect large populations generally. Ebola for example, incapacitates and kills in a day or so, leaving little means to spread. The best virus, from its survivability perspective are cold viruses and things like the cold sore virus. The best bacterial infection is probably the Plague or TB, as these have a fairly long dormancy period. These diseases never killed enough people to destroy the viability of life. Unless it was engineered to spread and not become active until the whole population could become infected, its hard to see how such a disease would occur, and even then like the plague many with genetic advantages survived relatively unscathed. Humanity is now too genetically diverse to wipe out completely, unless by design. That leaves two options, God and aliens.
Avian flu, also known as bird flu, is a highly infectious disease caused by a type of influenza virus that primarily affects birds. In some cases, the virus can spread to humans and cause severe respiratory illness.
The likelihood of avian flu wiping out 1/2 of Earth's population is not very high. While avian flu is a serious disease, it is not easily transmitted from birds to humans and there are measures in place to prevent and control outbreaks.
Avian flu can spread through contact with infected birds or their bodily fluids, such as droppings or secretions from the nose, mouth, or eyes. It can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as cages or equipment.
There is no specific treatment for avian flu, but antiviral medications may be used to help alleviate symptoms and prevent complications. However, the best defense against avian flu is preventative measures, such as proper hygiene and avoiding contact with infected birds.
Governments and health organizations around the world have implemented surveillance systems to monitor and track avian flu outbreaks in both birds and humans. They also have protocols in place to quickly respond to and contain any potential pandemic. In addition, there are ongoing research efforts to develop vaccines and improve prevention and control measures.