Katmandu

There is currently an article up on DrudgeReport about the National Guard being called up in Minnesota to assist with combating the bird flu outbreak which is spreading there. Am I just paranoid, or does that set off alarm bells for anyone else? Also, I read a news article the other day saying that while the main strain circulating in the Midwest is H5N2 -- which has, thus far, not proven able to spread to humans from affected poultry -- there is also a strain of H5N1 that has been discovered. That is the same Avian Influenza as we've seen in Asia...the one which HAS proven able to spread to humans. How many hog farms are in that area? What are the chances that a swine flu variant -- one which is easily transmissible to humans -- might cross with one of these avian flus and enable its efficient human-to-human spread?

I know I'm new here and that this thread is about six months old...but I can't help but want to caution people about leaving their children unvaccinated. I know there are many whose religious beliefs preclude vaccination. I respect that. I would just urge people to be careful and give it a good deal of thought before withholding vaccines if it's not a religious objection. In almost every instance the risks of vaccination are outweighed by the benefits. And many of the perceived risks have been disproven. Like the supposed connection between the MMR vaccine and autism. It doesn't exist. Again, not trying to be rude. I just would hate to see kids endure diseases that can be prevented. We're so blessed where we live.

Thanks to everyone...you all seem like such a nice group of people. Have been a "lurker" for a bit now and it got me interested. I have a basic start, with a much fuller pantry than before. With a background in the medical field I can't help but notice the increasingly concerning illnesses what with MERS and H7N9 and all. That's probably one of my main concerns. Thanks for a warm welcome.

Hello, I am Katmandu and am new to this forum. It seems like there is a lot of good information here. I am excited to learn more about being prepared and helping my family.