Astral Codex Ten Podcast H5N1: Much More Than You Wanted To Know
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Jan 26, 2025 Dive into the complexities of the H5N1 bird flu and its chilling pandemic potential. Discover how influenza A viruses evolved from birds to humans throughout history. Explore the economic fallout for farmers and consumers facing outbreaks. Hear about the staggering costs from mink-related pandemics and the need for tough regulations. The conversation also touches on historical patterns and predictions about future pandemics, shedding light on strategies for better preparedness.
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Flu Basics
- Pandemic flu is always caused by the influenza A virus.
- Influenza A has two surface antigen proteins, hemagglutinin (18 flavors) and neuraminidase (11 flavors).
Flu Severity Factors
- Flu severity depends on the virus and antibody match.
- Older people may have antibodies from prior exposures, while younger people might not.
1918 Spanish Flu Mortality
- The 1918 Spanish flu (H1N1) killed about 2% of the world’s population.
- Surprisingly, people aged 18-28 were most likely to die, while those over 88 were most likely to survive.