WHO: Up to 2 billion people might get swine flu

**brother** · #1 05-08-2009, 03:02 AM

GENEVA – Up to 2 billion people could be infected by swine flu if the current outbreak turns into a pandemic lasting two years, the World Health Organization said Thursday. WHO flu chief Keiji Fukuda said the historical record of flu pandemics indicates one-third of the world's population gets infected in such outbreaks. Independent experts agreed that the estimate was possible but pointed out that many would not show any symptoms.

Read more at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090508/.../med_swine_flu

**Waizujin** · #2 05-08-2009, 10:47 AM

I HIGHLY doubt 2 billion will get the swine flu. Sure, maybe 2 million but not 2 billion. And even if it does I don't see it killing more than a thousand.

**Moonpeach** · #3 05-08-2009, 10:54 AM

Yeah as Waizujin said. I very much doubt 2 billion. Its about 2-3 weeks since the first person got Swine Flu and so far its just over 1500 people in the world have it. and its not really much of a problem. Yes maby more contagious than normal flu but it will go away like normal Flu , and people are getting TamiFlu and / or over anti-viral drugs to help.

**Waizujin** · #4 05-08-2009, 11:02 AM

What is "TamiFlue"?

**Moonpeach** · #5 05-08-2009, 12:35 PM

http://www.tamiflu.com/
Its an Anti-viral drug to help with Swine Flu

Oseltamivir (INN) (pronounced /ɒsəlˈtæmɨvɪr/) is an antiviral drug that is used in the treatment and prophylaxis of both Influenzavirus A and Influenzavirus B infection. Like zanamivir, oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor. It acts as a transition-state analogue inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase, preventing progeny virions from emerging from infected cells.

Oseltamivir was the first orally active neuraminidase inhibitor commercially developed. It is a prodrug, which is hydrolysed hepatically to the active metabolite, the free carboxylate of oseltamivir (GS4071). It was developed by US-based Gilead Sciences and is currently marketed by Hoffmann-La Roche (Roche) under the trade name Tamiflu. In Japan, it is marketed by Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., which is more than 50% owned by Roche. Oseltamivir is generally available by prescription only.[citation needed]

Roche estimates that 50 million people have been treated with oseltamivir.[1] The majority of these have been in Japan, where an estimated 35 million have been treated.[2]

**GekiDan** · #6 05-09-2009, 03:46 AM

Originally Posted by Waizujin

I HIGHLY doubt 2 billion will get the swine flu. Sure, maybe 2 million but not 2 billion. And even if it does I don't see it killing more than a thousand.

I really even doubt 2 million will get infected. Up to this day, only over a 1000 people are positive with H1N1 virus. Plus they are already quarantined so there will be a slim chances of spreading it to other countries. But we cannot be sure though.

**Waizujin** · #7 05-09-2009, 05:29 PM

Several Countries have already been infected actually, but the death rate is low and very few have actually died from it.

**Treyu** · #8 05-09-2009, 05:38 PM

On Mexico classes on my city have been canceled until the 18th. I know I said I wanted some early vacations, but this is getting ridiculous! I am rarely let out of my house to go to the cinema or other social places. This is so boring!

**Waizujin** · #9 05-09-2009, 05:51 PM

I think that is a bit much. Although I am not a fan of school we need to keep people IN school. Especially so close to the end of school where it is needed most.

**panaache** · #10 05-10-2009, 10:47 AM

I think very soon, the flu will be under control !!
Though, it is spreading at a fast pace, but surely the death rate would not increase..