Is the Swine Flu Panic Justified?
It seems that folks from all over the world are doing web searches about the swine flu. The concern mounts, while the actual numbers of those infected are currently relatively low, (except in Mexico). Are those numbers expected to soon change? Is the panic really justified?
Image via Wikipedia
Swine Flu, Swine influenza, Swine-origin influenza, Mexican Flu, Mexican Virus, North American influenza, Influenza A (H1N1) Virus, 2009 H1N1 Virus, New Flu, or Novel Flu Virus, are all names that have been placed upon this new flu strain. While the numbers indicate that it clearly started in Mexico, (now being referred to as the outbreak epicenter), and has subsequently spread from there, it has indeed become an international pandemic with confirmed cases as of April 30, 2009 in twelve (12) countries, including Mexico, the United States, Canada, Spain, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany, Israel, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Peru and Austria. Further, there are suspected, still unconfirmed potential cases in more than thirty (30) additional countries. The World Health Organization, (WHO) is expecting this number to keep growing. For the constantly updated data on the spread of this outbreak see the Wikipedia page, 2009 swine flu outbreak, where the list of countries and infection confirmations are being kept vigilantly current.
“It really is all of humanity that is under threat during a pandemic,” WHO Director General Margaret Chan said in Geneva. “We do not have all the answers right now but we will get them.”
Image via Wikipedia
The World Health Organization’s page devoted to the topic of this specific virus is found at:
WHO raised the pandemic alert level to Phase 5, on April 29th, which is the second highest level. This level indicates a pandemic is imminent, and if enough of the current suspected cases turn out to be this virus, that level will likely be upped to Phase 6. The Phase levels of the World Health Organization Pandemics are measured as follows:
- Phase 1. There are no viruses circulating in animals reported to cause infections in humans.
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Aauhein | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
Great article Bill.
aaron paul hicks | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
Really good article, enjoyable and informative…….thankyou for all the good advice, best wishes Aaron
Julie McMurchie | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
Very informative article. Well researched and written. The Swine Flu outbreak has closed several schools in our county, and has caused local hospitals to set up isolation tents outdoors to keep people that may be infected from coming in. Hopefully, we don’t experience a huge panic.
TheSouthernPoet | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
thanks for the info and advice
Mrs. TurazMus | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
Muslims don’t eat this animal. Relax.
skylite | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
Great well researched article !
George W Whitehead | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
I know that a few people have died of this (9 at time of writing) but no person in authority has actually told us if it is dangerous (a la Black Death!). A doctor on a news programme this morning, when asked what it will mean if it does reach epidemic proportions, answered, “I suppose I’ll have a few more patients turn up at my surgery.” This suggests that it is no more dangerous than your common, everyday ‘flu. So I don’t think I’ll bother to panic! (Remember avian ‘flu?)
By the way, Bill, a well researched, well written article.
Laura | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
As always you’ve gotten straight to the point in a well written and concise manner. Nicely done, Bill! I would add that special precautions should be taken by or on behalf of those at a higher risk level. Babies under a year old, Seniors (especially at an advanced age, and anyone who is immune-suppressed due to organ failure/transplant, HIV/AIDS or cancer. I personally have purchased some masks and pocket size bottles of hand sanitizer to keep with me since I fall in the high risk category. It never hurts to be prepared! Thanks for the great information and a calm voice of reason during a time of great concern.
silent psalm | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
freakin the virus out till the virus is dead.thats what we do
Bill M. Tracer | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
The number of suspected deaths in Mexico have gone up to 168, and the 1 suspected death in Guatemala turned out to not be Swine flu.
Ireland, and the Netherlands have now been added to the list of countries with confirmed cases, making the number of countries with confirmed cases 14.
As further updates come in, I will use the comment section as an addendum to the article.
Thanks to all the commenters.
Over the next few days, keep coming back for the periodic updates.
Stay Well,
Bill
Anne McNew | May 1, 2009 | Reply
great article. well presented.
Bill M. Tracer | May 1, 2009 | Reply
As of this morning, the confirmed deaths have gone up to a total of 13, with 12 of those in Mexico, and still only 1 in the US. The number of additional suspected dead remains at 168 in Mexico.
Peru has retracted their confirmed case, after further testing. They do still have 5 suspected, unconfirmed cases.
According to The Wall Street Journal World {Asia News} found at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124119134084477477.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Hong Kong’s government said that approximately 300 guests and staff of a hotel in the territory are being quarantined for at least seven days after a guest there was confirmed to have the Influenza A/H1N1 virus.
The total number of confirmed cases worldwide has now gone up to 527, with 312 of those in Mexico, 141 of those in the US, and 35 of those in Canada.
The global number of unconfirmed but suspected cases has reached 4,400+
clay hurtubise | May 1, 2009 | Reply
No.
3,000 kids die every DAY in Africa. In the US 20-30,000 die from the flu every year. 20,000+ die every year from ibuprofen. Yes, it is a new strain of flu, but it is hyped beyond belief.
Thanks,
Clay
Bill M. Tracer | May 1, 2009 | Reply
I agree, Clay. The hype is out of proportion. There is cause for concern, but as I point out in the article, panic is never a good thing. Thanks for your contribution.
Bill M. Tracer | May 2, 2009 | Reply
While the confirmed deaths have gone up, the suspected death toll has gone down.
Total confirmed deaths now stand at 17, with 16 of those in Mexico.
Mexico has revised down the suspected death toll from swine flu from 176 to 101, indicating that the outbreak may not be as bad as was initially feared. According to the BBC News found at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8030365.stm
Denmark is now added to the list of countries with confirmed cases.
Joe Dorish | May 3, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article on a hot topic.
Bill M. Tracer | May 3, 2009 | Reply
France, El Salvador, Colombia, South Korea, and Italy have all been added to the list of countries with confirmed cases.
The total number of confirmed cases worldwide elevated to 935, with an additional 783+ probable cases, and 4,585+ suspected cases. The number of confirmed deaths has risen to 20, with 19 of those in Mexico. Suspected deaths in Mexico remain at 101.
Caroline1957 | May 3, 2009 | Reply
Nice article, good advice.
Bill M. Tracer | May 4, 2009 | Reply
Portugal has now been added to the list of countries with confirmed cases.
The total number of confirmed cases worldwide has been raised to 1,103, while the number of probable cases has gone down to 777, and 3,356+ suspected cases. The number of confirmed deaths has gone up to 26, with 25 of those in Mexico. Suspected deaths in Mexico still remain at 101.
Bill M. Tracer | May 5, 2009 | Reply
The total number of confirmed cases worldwide has gone up to 1,767, while the number of probable cases is now at 885, with 4,112+ suspected cases. The number of confirmed deaths has elevated to 31, with 29 of those in Mexico, and now 2 in the United States, with the first US citizen dying from this disease.
CutestPrincess | May 18, 2009 | Reply
im so glad the our country is still safe for the flu! let’s all pray for our safety!
Jake Mitchell | May 27, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for some real information on this flu and not just spreading more paranoia. Why does the media play on the fears of people so much enough is enough. I know it’s good for ratings but come on!
Bhumika Ghimire | Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
i think the whole thing was totally over blown..more people die of traffic accidents or regular flu..lets keep things in perspective
Mythili Kannan | Sep 29, 2009 | Reply
Well Researched article… thanks