Energy Efficiency

The world population is around 6,500,000,000; since late 2003, the WHO has confirmed 387 human cases of H5N1 also known as avian influenza or Bird Flu, which resulted in a total 245 deaths.

Tamiflu was developed to protect people against bird flu.  The Australian Government says it’s ordered 10 million doses of a yet to be named – as it is yet to be discovered – Swine Flu protection.

And just like a shop-keeper changing the use-by-date of food, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved ‘an extension to the shelf life’ for Tamiflu (oseltamivir) from five to seven years, when stored below 25 C.

Influenza causes about 2, 500 deaths in Australia each year amongst at risk groups [ref]

The experts are now on record as saying that the virulence of swine flu is less than of ‘ordinary flu strains’ and its infectiousness is on a par with ordinary flu. So when they announce that a test result was not swine flu, instead of being relieved should we be more anxious?

The idea of trying to stop the spread of low virulence flu is madness. They turned a cruise ship around because they don’t want to bring flu to FNQ (far north Queensland), but Cairns Airport is still bringing in tourists from all around the world and adverts on TV say ‘take a holiday in FNQ’ and Dengue fever is a much worse threat for visitors in FNQ.

But don’t let Bird Flu, Swine Flu or even Dengue Fever stand in the way of war games in FNQ; the Federal Government is willing to risk Australian lives and health by allowing thousands of US military personnel into the country to take part in a massive military exercise in early July. Operation Talisman Sabre will see 15,000 US troops and 8,000 ADF personnel converging on the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in central Queensland from July 9-13.

Swine flu may be spreading rapidly between human beings and the United States is one of the points of contagion, yet they will be allowed to enter Australia.  Health Minister Nicola Roxon has pointed out that this disease is highly infectious and of concern with the Australian flu season approaching, yet the people of Rockhampton will be at special risk with so many of the US soldiers visiting the town.