Re: Mutating to a less virulent strain
AlaskaDenise said:
I'll never be completely worry-free about influenza again, knowing that there will always be another potentially-pandemic influenza "in the oven."
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AlaskaDenise, I will always be more informed on emerging viruses in the future also. I am concerned that we may focus on one and miss something that is emerging so quickly that we miss the "silver bullet" coming at us.
I have found (over the last 6 months) that
many viruses that are emerging can, and do in some cases produce the "cytokine storm", have chemokine reactions, or can cause severe problems such as encephalitis and meningitis. Some are spreading rapidly and increasing their virulence such as Chik and West Nile.
Over the last week, I have read several papers and visited many websites on emerging viruses. Emerging influenza scares me the most, but vector borne viruses are right behind them. What is really scary is the thought that so many viruses that have been under control for years are re-emerging with such voracity.
With vector borne viruses, the vector list and host species are expanding rapidly. Viruses are mutating so that they can be carried by multiple vectors (ie- mosquitoes, ticks, deer flies, and horse flies). With an increase of vector species, there is also an increase in intermediary and dead end hosts.
I guess the only way to really feel safe (safer) is to keep informed and keep prepared.