Press releases and stories below may tell you all you need to know about Bird flu. But is there something more sinster. Mainstream financial website, DailyFX,
 http://www.dailyfx.com/story/dailyfx_reports/daily_fundamentals/6708_syrias_switch_to_euros_does_little_to_stifle.html?engine=rss&keyword=article
has pondered on the challenge the Euro poses to the increasingly worthless US dollar. Central banks around the world are thinking it is better to trade in Euros than dollars. Big problem for the US. So, why did DailyFX suggest that Europe will incur great costs due to bird flu. Does someone think that imposing costs on Europe is good for the dollar? If so, is this someone's plan?



 http://www.gilead.com/wt/sec/pr_974743797/
GILEAD press notice
Roche's Tamiflu™ Granted FDA Approval for the Prevention of Influenza

-- This flu season, Tamiflu™ (oseltamivir phosphate), the number one prescribed antiviral treatment for influenza, can also be used to prevent flu when taken once daily --

Nutley, NJ, November 20, 2000 - Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. and Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD), announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Roche marketing approval for a prophylaxis indication for its influenza antiviral Tamiflu™ (oseltamivir phosphate). Tamiflu received government approval in October 1999 for the treatment of uncomplicated acute illness due to influenza infection in adults. This flu season, Tamiflu will be available for the prevention of naturally occurring influenza A & B in adults and adolescents 13 years and older.



 http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/06/24/MNGHTDE8LG1.DTL
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Biotech firm wants to regain control of avian flu drug
Gilead says deal with Roche Inc. threatens Tamiflu's production
Sabin Russell, Chronicle Medical Writer

Friday, June 24, 2005

Citing "ongoing neglect of the product," a Bay Area biotech company is attempting to reclaim control of Tamiflu, an antiviral drug it sold to Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche Inc. that has since emerged as the world's only practical weapon against a potential pandemic of avian flu.


 http://www.gilead.com/wt/sec/pr_933190157/
GILEAD Press Release
Donald H. Rumsfeld Named Chairman of Gilead Sciences

Foster City, CA, January 3, 1997 - Gilead Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that board member Donald H. Rumsfeld will assume the position of Chairman, effective immediately. Mr. Rumsfeld succeeds Michael L. Riordan, M.D., who founded Gilead in 1987 and has served as Chairman since 1993. Dr. Riordan will continue to serve as a director on the board.

"Gilead is fortunate to have had Don Rumsfeld as a stalwart board member since the company's earliest days, and we are very pleased that he has accepted the Chairmanship," Dr. Riordan said. "He has played an important role in helping to build and steer the company. His broad experience in leadership positions in both industry and government will serve us well as Gilead continues to build its commercial presence."

now I understand a bit of distrust over the media as regards to bird flu,me thinks you are missing the point...its not exaxctly in the governments interests to sabotage the poultry business is it ? what exactly would the powers who control us have to gain by bigging up bird flu ? were you one of the divs who thought h.i.v was a myth ? what about the bubonic plague ? was it a case of historical revisionism..?...the media likes a scare story, doesn't mean its some sort of goverment plot...as I stated are you a vegan ?

If you are wondering where all the experts are who could expose this bogus science, well... at least 30 have died in mysterious circumstances since 2001.

Here is at least a partial list of dead microbiologists:

July 18, 2003: Dr. David Kelly, a British biological weapons expert

June 24, 2003: Dr. Leland Rickman, a UC San Diego expert on infectious
diseases

November 12 2002: Dr. Benito Que, 52, was "an expert in infectious
diseases and cellular biology at the Miami Medical School

March 25, 2002: Dead microbiologist: Steven Mostow, 63

March 24, 2002: Dead microbiologist: David Wynn-Williams, 55

February 28, 2002: Two dead microbiologists in San Francisco,Tanya Holzmayer, 46, is shot and killed by a colleague, Guyang Huang, 38, who then apparently shot himself.

February 11, 2002: Dead microbiologist: Dr. Ian Langford, 40

February 9, 2002: Dead microbiologist: Victor Korshunov, 56

January 2002: Two dead microbiologists: Ivan Glebov and Alexi
Brushlinski

December 14, 2001: Dead microbiologist: Nguyen Van Set, 44

December 10, 2001: Dead microbiologist: "Dr. Robert Schwartz, 57

November 24, 2001: Three more dead microbiologists: Dr. Yaakov Matzner,
54, dean of the Hebrew University school of medicine; Amiramp Eldor,
59, head of the haematology department at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv
and a world-recognized expert in blood clotting; and Avishai Berkman,
50, director of the Tel Aviv public health department and businessman

November 21, 2001: World-class microbiologist and high-profile Russian
defector Dr. Vladimir Pasechnik, 64

November 16, 2001: Dr. Don Wiley, 57

November 6, 2001: Jeffry Paris

"What we don't know is HOW 'deadly' the virus is - for example, of the tiny number of humans who have allegedly died from 'bird flu', we don't know how many OTHERS have been infected with the virus and had NO symptoms, or had symptoms of flu and easily got over it. It could be 100,000 people for every one death!"

That is like saying we don't know if drowning kills all humans because not all humans have drowned. There have been 170 confirmed cases of H5N1 avian flu transmission resulting in 92 deaths according to WHO.

"So the virus is that terrible that it magically gets out of birds, stays alive in the cold water and mud and clings to the wheels of cars, and then stays alive in the environment after being driven along roads? What sort of 'virus' can withstand this sort of treatment? "

The common cold for one, avian influenza for another. You think cold water and mud kills viruses ? Or that you can run down a virus in your car ? The virus doesn't 'magically' get out of birds, unless you consider excrement magical. And if the mud on the wheels of the cars could contain bird shit then the precaution is sensible.

"If it could spread like this, every bird on the planet would have it!"
Many ducks do show resistance to the disease and are carriers which only helps spread the virus further. However diseases that wildfowl tolerate can be highly pathogenic for other species.

"Vaccination is a medical fraud."
No, it isn't, although it is often counter-productive. You can't vaccinate against bird flu in humans because the strain that would threaten a pandemic hasn't evolved yet. Vaccinating birds only increases the resevoir population for the disease and so may well increase the likelyhood of a more transmissable strain evolving. Even for poultry, there are 15 subtypes of virus and you can't vacinate against them all.

"How does this stop the spread of the disease?"
Culling slows the spread of the disease in domestic foul by limiting the resevoir population and breaking the train of transmission and reduces the risk of humans contracting it.

"A 'deadly' disease that has killed a microscopic number of human beings who all were physically involved in killing chickens!"
The latest Indonesian victim sold eggs, another sold bananas. Other victims include people whose only avian contact was with pet birds.

"The answer is very simple: STOP EATING POULTRY"
Well I agree with that advice at least, eggs too for that matter (although safe when cooked properly, they aren't safe to prepare.). However the threat from the virus isn't limited to catching it from birds directly but from human to human transmission of any new strain of the virus which combines with a human virus.





"The H5N1 avian influenza virus is not transmitted to humans through properly cooked food. The virus is sensitive to heat. Normal temperatures used for cooking (so that food reaches 70oC in all parts) will kill the virus. To date, no evidence indicates that any person has become infected with the H5N1 virus following the consumption of properly cooked poultry or poultry products, even in cases where the food item contained the virus prior to cooking...In countries with outbreaks, thorough cooking is imperative. Consumers need to be sure that all parts of the poultry are fully cooked (no “pink” parts) and that eggs, too, are properly cooked (no “runny” yolkes).

The H5N1 virus can survive for at least one month at low temperatures. For this reason, common food preservation measures, such as freezing and refrigeration, will not substantially reduce the concentration of virus in contaminated meat or kill the virus. In countries with outbreaks, poultry stored under refrigeration or frozen should be handled and prepared with the same precautions as fresh products.

In countries with outbreaks, eggs may contain virus both on the outside (shell) and inside (white and yolk). Eggs from areas with outbreaks should not be consumed raw or partially cooked. Raw eggs should not be used in foods that will not be treated by heat high enough to kill the virus (70oC).

To date, a large number of human infections with the H5N1 virus have been linked to the home slaughter and subsequent handling of diseased or dead birds prior to cooking. These practices represent the highest risk of human infection and are the most important to avoid. Proper handling and cooking of poultry and poultry products can further lower the risk of human infections."

Concerned’s comments sheds no light whatsoever on the issue of why we are being subject to bird flu hysteria. No surprise there then so let’s turn to DailyFx
 http://www.dailyfx.com/story/dailyfx_reports/daily_fundamentals/6708_syrias_switch_to_euros_does_little_to_stifle.html?engine=rss&keyword=article

They describe themselves as: “one of the largest non-bank FCM's and is one of the world's largest Forex Dealer Members (according to the financial data posted on the CFTC website). In addition, FXCM has been awarded Best Retail Platform by FX Week in 2004, and also recognized as Best Currency Broker by both Shares and T2W Member Choice Awards in 2004, and also Best FX Specialist by Stocks & Commodities in 2002, 2003, and 2004.” They are not vegans. This is what the non-vegans said on 13 February:

‘What the market should be keeping an eye on instead is Iran's plan to open a new International Oil Bourse which would trade oil in Petroeuros instead of Petrodollars. As the world's third largest holder of oil reserves, Iran's move could pave the way for other countries to offer oil denominated in Euro's in order to compete with Iran. Looking ahead, there are a lot of reasons why countries within the Eurozone and Russia would prefer to trade oil in Euros over dollars. The volatility in the US dollar and the cost of converting currencies could make Petroeuros particularly attractive. Of course there are many political barriers that need to be overcome, but oil priced in both dollars and euros appears likely over time. Although this news should have been positive for the Euro, it was offset by a more pressing concern that the Bird Flu has hit the shores of the European Union. Italy, France, Greece and Bulgaria have all reported outbreaks in swans or other birds. For countries that already have huge budget issues, Bird Flu not only means damage to the poultry industry, but also higher costs needed to combat and isolate the outbreak.’

So, countries around the world are eager to dump the US dollar in favour of Euros. Lets assume that the US is not very pleased about this and that they may indeed to take steps to stop it. Presumably, this is what DailyFx meant when they said: ‘Of course there are many political barriers that need to be overcome…’

But what has bird flu got to do with the Euro vs Dollars issue? What they are suggesting is that European budgets will go into deficit all because of bird flu. Depending on how big they are, this won’t make the Euro look good. So, bird flu is operating in the interests of the useless US dollar. Afterall, how many bird flu outbreaks have there been in the US? Perhaps, bird flu virus seems to die off when they are imported into the US.

SARS - remember that? - was another disease the media told us was going to kill us all off. It was a disease scientists in Russia and South Africa described as a bioweapon. Yet, recently, a Russian expert has stated that bird flu is not a bioweapon (Pheww!). But surely, the US wouldn’t deliberately infect Euro birds with bird flu? Course not. They’re just thanking their stars that it’s being done naturally.

Mr ‘no light’ Concerned comments on HIV was interesting. Dr Peter Duesberg, professor of molecular biology at the University of California at Berkeley, voted Californian Scientist of the Year, is not the only scientist who questions HIV’s link to AIDS:
Eleni Eleopulos, of the department of medical physics, Royal Perth Hospital, in Western Australia,
Dr Valendar Turner, an emergency physician who has also dedicated years of work to an analysis of AIDS science;
Dr David Causer, Eleopulos's head of department;
Dr John Papadimitriou, professor of pathology at the University of Western Australia, an internationally renowned expert on electron microscopy;
Dr Etienne de Harven, former professor of pathology at the University of Toronto, who pioneered a method of purifying viruses during 25 years' work at the Sloan Kettering Institute in New York, etc.

No doubt, he’ll suggest you have to be a ‘vegan’ to think an immuno-suppressing disease, as is AIDS, was made in a US laboratory. But this was what the Department of Defense was thinking in 1969:  http://onlinejournal.com/health/102605Mazza/102605mazza.html

In fact, on July 29, 1969, only days after the Department of Defense (DOD) asked for $10 million from Congress to fund the development of a "synthetic biological agent, an agent that does not naturally exist and for which no natural immunity could have been acquired . . ." on that day, the chairman of the Republican Task Force on Earth Resources and Population, the Honorable George H. W. Bush, U.S. Representative from Texas, 7th District (1967-71), stressed the pressing need for population control activities to fend off "a growing Third World crisis." Imagine.

Here is the linked text of the Dept. of Defense request for Appropriation for 1970, HB 15090, from page 129. Quoted is Dr. MacArthur from said Pentagon, speaking to Robert L.F. Sikes, Florida, about the need for the above mentioned "synthetic biological agent"

There are two things about the biological agent field I would like to mention. One is the possibility of technological surprise. Molecular biology is a field that is advancing very rapidly and eminent biologists believe that within a period of 5 to 10 years it would be possible to produce a synthetic biological agent, an agent that does not naturally exist and for which no natural immunity could have been acquired.

Mr. Sikes. Are we doing any work in that field?

Dr. MacArthur. We are not.

Mr. Sikes.. Why not? Lack of money or lack of interest?

Dr. MacArthur. Certainly not lack of interest.

Mr. Sikes. Would you provide for our records information on what would be required, what the advantages of such a program would be the time and the cost involved?

Dr. MacArthur. We will be very happy to.

The information follows:

The dramatic progress being made in the field of molecular biology led us to investigate the relevance of this field of science to biological warfare. A small group of experts considered this matter and provided the following observations:

All biological agents up to the present time are representatives of naturally occurring disease. and are thus known by scientists throughout the world. They are easily available to qualified scientists for research. either for offensive or defensive purposes.

Within the next 5 to 10 years. it would probably be possible to make a new infective microorganism which could differ in certain important aspects from any known disease-causing organisms. Most important of these is that it might be refractory to the immunological and therapeutic processes upon which we depend to maintain our relative freedom from infectious disease.

A research program to explore the feasibility of this could be completed in approximately 5 years at the total cost of $10 million.

It would be very difficult to establish such a program. Molecular biology is a relatively new science. There are not many highly competent scientists in the field. Almost all are in university laboratories. And they are generally adequately supported from sources other than DOD. However, it was considered possible to initiate an adequate program through the National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council (NAS-NRC).

The matter was discussed with the NAS-NRC and tentative plans were made to initiate the program. However. decreasing funds in CB [chemical-biowarfare], growing criticism of the CB. program, and our reluctance to involve the NAS NRC in such a controversial endeavor have led us to postpone it for the past 2 years.

It is a highly controversial issue and there are many who believe such research should not be undertaken lest it lead to yet another method of massive killing of large populations. On the other hand, without the sure scientific knowledge that such a weapon is possible and an understanding of the ways it could be done, there is little that can be done to devise defensive measures. Should an enemy develop it there is little doubt that this is an important area of potential military technological inferiority in which there is no adequate.

And so on. And thus spake Dr MacArthur and the $10 million appropriation was granted. And it worked, perhaps the beginning of the end…

I hear they are "vaccinating" chickens now. I wouldn't want to eat those. Who knows how that will react to all the growth hormones.

Some interesting comments have been made here.
Another aricle I came across

Abstract

The Avian Flu Fright: Politically Timed for Global “Iatrogenocide”

If avian flu becomes more than a threatened pandemic, it will have done so by political and economic design. This thesis is supported by current massive media misrepresentations, profiteering on risky and valueless vaccines, gross neglect of data evidencing earlier similar man-made plagues including SARS, West Nile Virus, AIDS and more; continuance of genetic studies breeding more mutant flu viruses likely to outbreak, inside trading scandals involving pandemic savvy White House and drug industry officials, curious immunity of these pharmaceutical entities over the past century to law enforcement and mainstream media scrutiny, and published official depopulation objectives. With the revelations and assertions advanced herein, the public is forewarned against this physician-assisted mass murder best termed “iatrogenocide.”* This genocidal imposition is expected to serve mainly economic and political depopulation objectives.


Background

In April, 2003, a social experiment called SARS, said to have arrived from Asia, heavily struck Toronto. I was there throughout most of this Asian flu-foreshadowing fright. This bizarre new pneumonia-like illness was named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. It was said to be the latest threat in an ongoing series of attacks on humanity by mysteriously mutating "supergerms."

A careful study of the scientific and medical-sociological correlates and antecedents of this “outbreak” revealed something amiss far more insidious than SARS. I critically considered Toronto’s media reaction as any Harvard-trained public health expert in media persuasion behavioral science might. The scourge had all the earmarks of a novel social experiment conducted by white-collar bioterrorist.

FULL Article:
 http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=20051012&articleId=1071