http://www.capitalcentury.com/1976.html
In 1976, swine flu came around and that immediately became headline news and government quickly concluded that anything of this sort could become a worldwide plague that would wipe out many people.
But the reality was that only one soldier had been killed by the flu and many others had not been affected by the flu despite infection.
A costly program of vaccination/inoculation was started country-wide.
Many more people died from the vaccination than from the flu itself. (25 confirmed vaccine kills to 1 flu kill)
The moral of the story is that the flu, though deadly, is not nearly as bad as the fear is creates.
As of this time, I do not know of any other deaths in other countries besides Mexico. Some of the infected in the US didn't even have to be hospitalized.
Of course, this flu is much more widespread than the other one. But it is obvious that sub-standard medical care and close proximity of swine and humans are to explain why Mexico has suffered so many more deaths. To add to that, people are somewhat afraid to go to hospitals for whatever reason, because the conditions are poor.
The media has blown this "pandemic" up way more than what it actually is.
NEvertheless, it is no reason to do nothing to prevent infection.
4 comments:
update:
first US death of a Mexican toddler.
Time to worry.
For now, I believe that this swine flu has yet to become the massive pandemic they say it will. It is certainly not good in Mexico, but that now that people start paying attention, it should be under control soon.
One thing I think the mass media are obligated to do is to tell us what symptoms, or the range of responses people who got infected had. Is it possible to tell this apart from normal or other types of flu infections?
Swine influenza - update 5
29 April 2009 -- The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 18:00 GMT, 29 April 2009, nine countries have officially reported 148 cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection.
The United States Government has reported 91 laboratory confirmed human cases, with one death.
Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection including seven deaths.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (13), Germany (3), Israel (2), New Zealand (3), Spain (4) and the United Kingdom (5).
Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.
WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.
There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
Information from the WHO and/or media got it wrong?
Right now, I think confusion is thick. We hear too many different numbers from these sources. Someone needs to get them straight.
The one hundred something number is suspected deaths in Mexico.They did not get this straight out and announce the factual number - the formally lab confirmed cases are much lower.
This is mostly hype.
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