Medical Strange virus kills 30 people in Ukraine.

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The discussion centers on the emergence of new viruses, particularly a recently identified virus in Ukraine that is confirmed not to be H1N1 swine flu. Participants express concern over the frequency of new diseases appearing globally, noting a pattern of outbreaks over the last decade. Some argue that advancements in detection and global travel contribute to the perception of increased disease emergence, suggesting that while more pathogens may be identified, the mechanisms behind their spread remain consistent. The conversation touches on public fear regarding unknown viruses, contrasting the actual impact of diseases like SARS with the panic they generate. Overall, the dialogue reflects a mix of concern and skepticism about the nature and frequency of emerging infectious diseases.
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http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/swineflu/news/oct3009ukraine.html

First the west nile virus, then SARS, bird flu, then the swine flu, and now this strange virus. It seems that there is a new type of deadly disease popping up somewhere in the world every few years. More so in the past decade than any other point in all of history. Ukrainian medical officials have confirmed that this virus is not the H1N1 "swine" flu virus. The identity of the virus is still unclear.

Where are all these diseases coming from? Why so many so quick? What the heck is going on?! What's next?
 
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My bet is that nothing qualitatively new happens, we are just much better at detecting. Things that 30 years ago would slip as unexplained/separated now are getting recognized.
 
Borek said:
My bet is that nothing qualitatively new happens, we are just much better at detecting. Things that 30 years ago would slip as unexplained/separated now are getting recognized.

Not like this...
 
Not sure about the others but swine flu certainly isn't new.
 
The_Absolute said:
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/swineflu/news/oct3009ukraine.html

First the west nile virus, then SARS, bird flu, then the swine flu, and now this strange virus. It seems that there is a new type of deadly disease popping up somewhere in the world every few years. More so in the past decade than any other point in all of history. Ukrainian medical officials have confirmed that this virus is not the H1N1 "swine" flu virus. The identity of the virus is still unclear.

Where are all these diseases coming from? Why so many so quick? What the heck is going on?! What's next?

Read up on the virial theorem. :smile:
 
The_Absolute said:
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/swineflu/news/oct3009ukraine.html

First the west nile virus, then SARS, bird flu, then the swine flu, and now this strange virus. It seems that there is a new type of deadly disease popping up somewhere in the world every few years. More so in the past decade than any other point in all of history. Ukrainian medical officials have confirmed that this virus is not the H1N1 "swine" flu virus. The identity of the virus is still unclear.

Where are all these diseases coming from? Why so many so quick? What the heck is going on?! What's next?

Borek's correct that emerging diseases are noticed much earlier now, but http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/15/11/1713.htm" . Sure, humans have always been mobile, but planes, trains, ships, and cars make moving around the globe much quicker than it used to be.
 
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I have not mentioned it to not complicate the picture :smile:

Besides, just because the pathogens are spread faster doesn't mean they appear more frequently. Could be they do - larger population means more occasions for virus to 'jump' to humans and more occasions to evolve - but I still think we are talking about the same mechanisms that existed earlier, no qualitative, only quantitative changes.
 
russ_watters said:
Not sure about the others but swine flu certainly isn't new.

Apparently, this virus in Ukraine is NOT the H1N1 "swine" flu virus. It is an entirely different virus all together. Which has me very concerned.
 
The_Absolute said:
Apparently, this virus in Ukraine is NOT the H1N1 "swine" flu virus. It is an entirely different virus all together.
According to the article, that is nowhere near confirmed. But you did incorrectly state that swine flu was "new".
Which has me very concerned.
Why? Even if that virus is new, new viruses aren't new. So what is the big deal? Take SARS for example. It infected some 8,000 people and killed 774 over two years. That's grossly out of proportion to the panic it caused. More people die in car accidents every week in the US than that!
 
  • #10
russ_watters said:
According to the article, that is nowhere near confirmed. But you did incorrectly state that swine flu was "new". Why? Even if that virus is new, new viruses aren't new. So what is the big deal? Take SARS for example. It infected some 8,000 people and killed 774 over two years. That's grossly out of proportion to the panic it caused. More people die in car accidents every week in the US than that!

It's fear of the unknown - a lack of control.
 
  • #11
russ_watters said:
Even if that virus is new, new viruses aren't new.

I agree with the general sentiment of your post - but you've lost me here :bugeye:
 
  • #12
The_Absolute said:
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/swineflu/news/oct3009ukraine.html

First the west nile virus, then SARS, bird flu, then the swine flu, and now this strange virus. It seems that there is a new type of deadly disease popping up somewhere in the world every few years. More so in the past decade than any other point in all of history. Ukrainian medical officials have confirmed that this virus is not the H1N1 "swine" flu virus. The identity of the virus is still unclear.

Where are all these diseases coming from? Why so many so quick? What the heck is going on?! What's next?
I see no evidence that the outbreak is anything other than H1N1. Closed.
 

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