Rhiza Labs FluTracker Forum

Quick comment on Contagion - the movie.

It was a recombinant between bat and swine virus and sequence / phylogentic analysis led to the vaccine.

WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta reported yesterday to Atlanta’s WSB-TV that it’s had an increase in Bird Flu test requests because the movie Contagion is raising fears about contracting the disease. Contagion is an action-thriller currently playing Atlanta theaters that stars Lawrence Fishburne, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet and Jude Law. The film centers on the threat posed by a deadly disease and an international team of doctors contracted by the CDC to deal with the major outbreak.

According to the CDC in Atlanta, Avian influenza, more commonly known as Bird Flu, has rarely crossed the species barrier to infect humans. On its website, the CDC states this about Bird Flu…

HPAI H5N1 has caused the largest number of detected cases of severe disease and death in humans. However, it is possible that those cases in the most severely ill people are more likely to be diagnosed and reported, while milder cases are less likely to be detected and reported.

Avian influenza cannot be diagnosed by symptoms alone, so a lab test is required. Avian influenza is usually diagnosed by collecting a swab from the nose or throat during the first few days of illness. The risk of Bird Flu spreading in the United States is very low right now, so Atlanta families should not be concerned.

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Just back from the movie contagion... pretty good! At times I thought I was on the flu board! Many of the scenes reminded me of discussions that have happened here. This board was probably resourced for the script. Did a decent job of covering the issues that go along with a pandemic. Some of the music was a bit weird though.

Dr. Niman....think the character played by Elliot Gould was loosely based on you?