|
Non-Computer Related, off-tangent topics, but knowledge may help in your survival. Sometimes in our quest to understand and solve computer viruses problems, we have forgotten all about these real viruses.
Scientists speculate that viruses are a key player in the evolutionary process on planet Earth. Far from being mere purveyors of disease, the viral infection process also could be partly responsible for spreading new genes among organisms rapidly and preparing their hosts for future environmental changes. This is part of viruses' fascination for scientists like those on Rossmann's team and why some medical professionals seek to use altered viruses to cure illnesses rather than cause them.
Unreal Virus (Man-made) Alert
Oct 2004
Chinese health experts have concluded that the civet cat, considered a delicacy in the south of the country, was the primary source of last year's SARS epidemic. The civet is a small carnivorous mammal found in Asia and Africa. The brown, furry creature with a cat-like body, long tail and weasel-like face has long been eaten by those who believe its tender flesh will improve their health and complexion. Beijing, China.
A Thai girl in a northern province died after being infected with the avian influenza (Bird Flu) virus, bringing to 11 the number of people killed from it. Bangkok, Thailand.
Sep 2004
Spanish Catholics claims gay marriage a virus ? They are claiming the legalising of nuptials for lesbian and gay people would be like unleashing a "virus" on the country. It would impose on society a virus, something false, which will have negative consequences for social life. Spain has been one of Western Europe's most religious countries, with strong ties to the Roman Catholic Church and its leader Pope John Paul II. Madrid, Spain.
70-year-old man went into shock and died two days later exhibiting typical signs of a new and deadly form of the dengue virus. The virus is very difficult to diagnose, as patients do not complain of bone-breaking pain or pain around eyeballs, the typical symptoms of dengue fever. The flu-like symptoms have made diagnosis more difficult. Though the degree of fever is low, accompanying complications like haemorrhage and shock remain the same, say experts. Patients also show signs of very low platelet count, typical of the disease. Bangladesh.
A 68-year-old woman has become the sixth person to die of West Nile virus in Arizona this year. Phoenix, AZ, USA.
13 Pratt High School students, mostly varsity football team members, down with the viral symptoms. "Hand washing is the No. 1 defense against the spread of disease," said a school nurse. "When something like this happens, it stresses the importance of personal hygiene". Good hygiene should be practiced all the time and not just for a viral out break. Pratt, KS, USA.
Thailand frets over Bird Flu as fear of human transmission looms. Kamphaeng Phet province, where a boy and a girl who died this month of severe pneumonia after coming into contact with dying chickens. The girl, Sakuntala, who is thought to have contracted the illness while playing with chickens at her house. The 11-year-old girl's 26-year-old mother, Pranee Thongchan, who lived near Bangkok but traveled north to visit her daughter in hospital had "very close and face-to-face exposure" and then attend her funeral, returned to the Thai capital where she too fell ill and died from the deadly H5N1 virus. Bangkok, Thailand.
Southeast Asia Struggles to contain Bird Flu. Fresh outbreaks of the avian bird flu, with Malaysia tightening quarantine restrictions on the northern state of Kelantan. Malaysian authorities Thursday tightened controls and increased surveillance and testing for more outbreaks of the bird flu. KL, Malaysia.
People with HIV may carry more than one strain of the virus, meaning that even partners who are both HIV-positive should practice safe sex, say researchers. New York, NY, USA.
An African virus known as Lassa fever is spread through sneezes, spittle and other bodily fluids - not casual contact - had infected a 38 year old man whom died on Saturday (28 Aug 2004). He had spent long periods of time from 23 Aug to 25 Aug 2004, confined in self-contained airplane cabins and transit railcars when he travel from Liberia, Africa back to New Jersey, USA.
Six healthcare and research companies have joined forces to form the Singapore Dengue Consortium to study the mosquito-borne disease. The intention of the consortium is to explore ways to better understand and manage dengue infection and ultimately minimize the incidence of dengue in the country. Singapore.
Notes:
Viruses are very different from bacteria and parasites. Viruses are much smaller, are not affected by treatment with antibiotics, and cannot grow outside of a person’s body.
Archives:
|
Post your comment