Is plague really carried on the wind?

cmlek

This should perhaps go under Current Events, but I saw an article out from New Orleans (see summary below) that got me thinking: I can provide clean water and sanitary conditions for myself and my family, but what do you do about all those that can't, and come through carrying disease? Do you try and help them? Do you shoot them before they can get near you? Do you try to keep on the run ahead of the new disease du jour?

I haven't really thought this far ahead, and I'm curious to see what thoughts you guys have. I'm somewhat monkish by nature, preferring to just have a small group of friends and hang out away from everyone else. And while that has worked so far in my life, I have to consider a future where people start seeking "us" out again, but I'm mentally ill-equipped to consider it without reverting back to high school geeks vs. jocks mentality.

Peace.
Melissa

P.S. Article:
http://thememoryblog.org/archives/000588.html

A quick summary of the article:
There are several infectious disease and bioweapon research labs in and around NOLA. Some of these labs have been flooded out, and many of the cages with their research animals are outside. What has happened to all this disease? Are dead animals floating in the water? Have the vials and samples been stolen? Have they been washed into the water? No one knows so far, but the author would like to.

Ludi

Most diseases are transmitted by contact, such as contact with contaminated water, or transmission by animals such as fleas (in the case of plague) or rodents (Hantavirus). Only if there is a dispersal agent, as with powdered or aerosol Anthrax, can diseases be easily transmitted by the wind, as far as I know...
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Aaron

Air borne disease vectors don't last long enough to be a real threat.

They kill the hosts too quickly to continue spreading effectively.

The deadly diseases don't kill everyone, or infect everyone rapidly, giving their hosts time to spread them around. (& kill many more)
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"When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F Roberts.

Praise HawkMan

WhistleWind · Tar Sands Joined: Jan 21, 2005 Posts: 46

Plague comes in different forms. One form is a respiratory disease.
We all exhale minute particles of water when we breath, cough or sneeze. They can hang in the air in confined spaces for many minutes. These can contain the virus particles which transmit the
disease. TB is also spread this way, as is influenza. This makes airliners
(which typically recycle air 7 times through the cabin before flushing it ) a very good place to get sick.