The next flu pandemic: Jackfruit and its relatives your survival strategies by David McMinn native to southern China. It is a by David McMinn lot safer than hoarding it under your he genus slow-growing, bed. Artocarpus ornamental tree During the 20th century, the Shopping would be a health hazard Tcontains to around 6-15 m, world experienced three great flu as it would be necessary to come into numerous tree which produces pandemics - 1918-19, 1957-58 and contact with people. It also presumes species, several of fruits with a thin, 1968-69. By far the most serious was that shopping staff would be willing which yield edible velvety brown the Spanish Flu of 1918-19, which to go to work. The pandemic may fruit. Being from the skin. When ripe, killed an estimated 50 million people include “waves” of influenza infections tropics, these trees the pulp is red or worldwide. In today’s terms, this months apart. In the 20th century should be planted orange-red and of would equate to around 300 million pandemics, a second wave of influenza in warm, frost free excellent flavour. people. occurred 3 to 12 months after the locations, as they The fruit matures Health authorities are becoming first outbreak. are susceptible to between February increasingly concerned about new cold temperatures and April. Young strains of influenza A viruses Half-Way Mark especially when trees are injured (H5N1), spreading through the The World Health Organization young. In the by temperatures bird populations in Asia. Because listed six stages in the emergence of a Nimbin valley, a few degrees they mainly affect birds, they are new pandemic. this means on below freezing. Even so, commonly called bird flu. To date, Stage 1: New threatening influenza northern facing mature trees can cope these have only infected people who strains cannot be detected in humans. slopes, high above the with -4°C and thus the trees were in close contact with birds If present in animals/birds, the risk valley floor. Never plant in have the same cold tolerance as with little or no person to person of human infection is considered to frost pockets or on cold creek with wet feet. Even so, Jackfruit Mango. transmission. be low. flats, as the trees will die in their likes plenty of moisture and will LAKOOCHA (A lakoocha) is a However, with some genetic Stage 2: No new influenza strains first winter. Artocarpus species need to be watered regularly winter deciduous tree, growing to mutations, this situation may quickly have been detected in humans, but have separate male and female except during wet weather and 6 - 9 m. The fruit is usually round change and the world will have to emerging animal/bird flu strains pose flowers on the same plant and cold winters. It appreciates good and 5 to 12.5 cm in diameter. It cope with bird flu spreading rapidly a potential risk to humans. are thus self fertile. Some species mulches and regular dressings has a sweet sour pulp, used to through the human population. The Stage 3: Some humans are infected yield a valuable timber for use of slow release fertiliser. Young make curries and chutneys. The problems for us personally are when with the new strain, but there is very in construction and furniture trees will be killed by even light fruit is thought to be a liver tonic. will the next pandemic occur and little or no human-to-human spread. manufacture. frosts, although mature trees will The timber is superior to teak for how severe will it be? Of course, it is Stage 4: Small clusters with limited take temperatures down to -2˚C use in building and furniture. impossible to predict such things, but human-to-human transmission, as the Jackfruit without much damage. CEMPEDAK or Chempedak it is essential to consider options prior virus is not well adapted to humans. In the Northern Rivers region, The timber is durable, resistant (A integer) is native to the to such an outbreak. Stage 5: Larger clusters, but Jackfruit (A heterophyllus; syn: to termites and superior to teak in southern Philippines and grows human-to-human spread still A integrifolia) is the best known strength. It resembles mahogany into a large 18 m tree under High virulence scenario localized. of the Artocarpus species. It in appearance and thus is used to cultivation. It is less cold tolerant Your response will depend on the Stage 6: Pandemic: increased and was originally native to the produce quality furniture. than Jackfruit and thus may virulence of the influenza strain. In sustained transmission in general mountainous regions of southern Propagation is usually by be unsuitable in our climate. the pandemics of 1957-58 and 1967- population. India, but it is now cultivated in fresh seed which will germinate Even so, it still could be tried in 68, people continued to work and We are currently at Stage 3 and tropical and warm sub tropical within two months. Plant out warm microclimates. The fruit life went on as normal. For healthy many scientists believe it is only regions throughout the world. The the seedlings when young as they is similar to those of Jackfruit, people, the outbreaks were not a a matter of time before another fruit is the most distinguishing have a long tap root that is prone but smaller in size with an major concern. However, the 1918- influenza pandemic breaks out. feature of this plant - it can be to damage. Selected varieties odour described as as having the 19 Spanish Flu epidemic was another Without any control measures huge - weighing up to 20 kgs and a are propagated by air-layering or “strongest and richest smell of any matter, with about half those who (vaccination or drugs), it has been metre long. It is the world’s biggest grafting. fruit in creation”. died being young healthy adults. The estimated that a ‘medium level’ tree borne fruit and appears BREADFRUIT (A altilis) and worst possible outcome for us now pandemic in the USA could cause on both the trunk and large Jackfruit Varieties MARANG (A odoratissimus). would be a very contagious strain, 89,000 to 207,000 deaths, with branches. The yellowish-brown The seed grown Jackfruit trees are Do not bother trying to grow with a high death rate. Currently, between 15% and 35% of the US skin of the fruit consists entirely available at the markets. However, these species. They are strictly bird flu has a 50% mortality rate population being infected. The of small hexagonal pointed studs. Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery sells tropical and will be killed even for those people infected. Thus, the economic impact of such an event It is harvested after it has fallen to several Jackfruit varieties – choose by mild temperatures of 7˚C death rate could be high, if this virus would be huge. the ground. In Asia, the ripe fruit those that are relatively cold hardy above zero. adapts to humans. is eaten raw or sun dried, while and thus more suitable in our Plant a few Artocarpus species A virulent flu strain would mean Antivirals the unripe is eaten in curries. As area. and you will be rewarded with that people would have to seriously Some people may choose to stockpile an added benefit, the seeds may Black Gold is a “superior choice yummy fruit over much of the consider going into isolation, until a flu antiviral medications - expensive be roasted or boiled and evidently for the subtropics due to its cold year. Jackfruit bears between vaccine is developed which could take if you do not have a health care card. taste like Chestnuts. tolerance”. January and June (depending 6 to 12 months. The economy would However, sometimes influenza virus Cheena fruits in summer and on variety), Lakoocha collapse – who would go to work if strains can become resistant to one Jackfruit grows into a large copes quite well with cold. in September/November and there was a prospect of getting a lethal or more of these drugs and thus the tree more than 20 m high, so Galaxy. Under cooler Kwai Muk February to April. disease? drugs may not always work. For it must be sited well away from subtropical conditions, this Daley’s Fruit Tree Nursery In such a scenario, you would example, the influenza A (H5N1) buildings and power lines. It is a variety produces fruit that is more sells Jackfruit varieties, as well need to stockpile food and live off viruses identified in human patients very ornamental tree with large suitable for cooking. as Lakoocha and Kwai Muk. your land. People living in country in Asia in 2004 and 2005 have glossy leaves and upright growth Seed grown plants of Jackfruit, situations like Nimbin should be able become resistant to amantadine and habit. The trunk, branches, and Jackfruit Relatives Lakoocha and Kwai Muk may be to get by without too much trouble. rimantadine. leaves contain a gummy latex. The The following Artocarpus species purchased from Forbidden Fruits Fortunately with ATMs, getting There will be another severe flu tree grows best in well drained, produce edible fruit. Nursery at The Channon, Byron money out of your bank accounts pandemic. Let us hope that it will not deep fertile soils, as it cannot cope KWAI MUK (A hypargyraea) is Bay and Bangalow markets. should not be difficult and would be a be virulent and not in our lifetime. PPiXiEiXiE tthehe BBUiLDERUiLDER Grant Holding Lic No. 30119

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October 2005, The Nimbin GoodTimes Page 11