WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE! Bird flu variant found in baby seals.

[Beerina]

For anyone who actually cares about the science, this is an excellent summary with dozens of links to more factual analysis of the risks than the typical news sensationalism: Avian Flu Diary - mBio: A Mammalian Adapted H3N8 In Seals

So:

Professor*Ian Lipkinof Columbia University – expressed concerns over the discovery that seals – like pigs – have*both types of receptor cells.

Nice!

 

[wollclark]

"Professor Ian Lipkin of Columbia University – expressed concerns over the discovery that seals – like pigs – have both types of receptor cells."

What does this mean, exactly?

EDIT: I just read the source quote in context:

"In both the BBC and NYTs report, one of the authors of this study – celebrated virus hunter Professor Ian Lipkin of Columbia University – expressed concerns over the discovery that seals – like pigs – have both types of receptor cells.

If infected by two different strains simultaneously, they could act as a `mixing vessel’ for influenza strains, and produce a hybrid (reassorted) virus."

So... we are all going to die?

 

[BenBurch]

"Professor* Ian Lipkin of Columbia University – expressed concerns over the discovery that seals – like pigs – have *both types of receptor cells."

What does this mean, exactly?

That they can be simultaneously be infected with both types and the reassortment of genes I mentioned can take place.

But we have a lot less contact with seals than with swine, so I am not sure its much increased risk.

 

[Macgyver1968]

Dude...Wollclark...you're paranoid.

 

[Beerina]

Ya we're gonna die. Everyone dies. Unless tech continues to advance really rapidly, and even moreso than it is today, functionally ending death (something I regularly complain about in the health care threads as rate of tech advancement is the vastly most important variable to saving lives.)


From a virus, doubtful. These things are difficult to fight off, and sometimes millions die, but most people do fight them off and end up surviving.