Remember how SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) was going to ravage the World's population, and threaten civilization as we know it?
Well, here is the CDC's most recent update on the virus:
"Currently, there is no known SARS transmission anywhere in the world. The most recent human cases of SARS-CoV infection were reported in China in April 2004 in an outbreak resulting from laboratory-acquired infections. CDC and its partners, including the World Health Organization, continue to monitor the SARS situation globally."
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/situation.htm
Enter "The Bird Flu" and the most recent headlines from USA Today:
Experts estimate fighting bird flu to cost $1.5B over 3 years
According to the World Health Organization, this bird flu outbreak emerged in Asia in late 2003! Why is this all of a sudden an urgent threat? A short window? 2 years? Hmmm.
11-9-2005 - David Nabarro, senior U.N. system coordinator for avian and human influenza, proposed creating a U.N.-led organization to coordinate international aid efforts and financial assistance with needy countries.
"Coordination is difficult when facing uncertainties. ... There's a very short window of opportunity when a pandemic starts for initial assessment and a robust response," Nabarro said.
My Take: While it is a very real and serious virus, if it really is a potential "Pandemic" why have the WHO, U.N. etc. leaders been so slow to react? Of course this is just one persons opinion. Comments as always are welcomed!
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