Hey guys,

Its been all over the news in my area but there is a deadly virus going around.  It has been identified as a combination of bird, pig and human influenza.   The virus was first spotted in Mexico, where there have been 172 confirmed infections and 150+ casualties.  The virus has spread worldwide, and there have been confirmed cases in the US, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, Israel and Spain.  Almost 30 countries worldwide have confirmed or suspected cases of the virus, which can be spread through coming into contact with an infected object and then touching your face with the infection.  It's true what our parents have taught us over the years, "THOROUGHLY WASH YOUR HANDS"!

You can find out more here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_swine_flu_outbreak

Yeah, I think almost all of the fatalities have occurred in Mexico. No fatalities in the US or in Europe yet. We'll see how this turns out, though my gut feeling is that this will be something we just live with for some time, like any disease. There was another time in the 1970s when swine flu was feared to become a pandemic, but never did. If it turns into a pandemic this time, we probably won't know for a few months, which is approximately how long it would take to spread to every corner of the world. Though another cynical part of me says that the 24-hours news cycle lends itself hyperbolize the severity of the issue.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/27/pandemic.next/index.html

Originally posted by Rover

Though another cynical part of me says that the 24-hours news cycle lends itself hyperbolize the severity of the issue.

World Health Organization raises their alert level to the second highest possible level
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090429/ap_on_he_me/med_swine_flu

Quote

WASHINGTON – The Geneva-based World Health Organization on Wednesday raised its alert level for the fast-spreading swine flu to its next-to-highest notch, signaling a global pandemic could be imminent.

The move came after the virus spread to at least 10 U.S. states from coast to coast and swept deeper into Europe.

"It really is all of humanity that is under threat during a pandemic," said WHO Director General Margaret Chan. "We do not have all the answers right now but we will get them."

...

The WHO said the phase 5 alert means there is sustained human to human spread in at least two countries. It also signals that efforts to produce a vaccine will be ramped up.
Just Monday, the WHO had raised the alert level from 3 to 4. The organization is part of the United Nations.

Cough....cough...  *squeels* 

uh..oh

Originally posted by R33

Cough....cough...  *squeels* 

uh..oh

R33, not you too!?

Oh yes, it's definitely been all over the news. But I do tend to agree on the fact that some news networks play on sensationalism on even the most serious of issues.

it just hit my neighborhood of the world...

It supposedly is here in Orlando, but the test have not returned the results yet.  But the news here is telling everyone to act like its here... *sigh* 

The media does exaggerate things quite a bit unfortunately. Let's put things into perspective here - over 90% of the deaths/cases are in Mexico itself, with a small majority out of the country. I think if we were a month down the line and this was still the case, then I think we can accept the situation is not that bad. However, if it does indeed get worse, which is more likely to happen, then a pandemic is likely. I just think people shouldn't panic, not yet anyway. I mean fair enough if it's in your country, but the WHO (World Health Organisation) knows how to deal with these sorts of things.

Originally posted by Ben

I just think people shouldn't panic, not yet anyway.

Six suspected cases in Maryland, including one just five minutes from my house. That was a couple days ago though.

Originally posted by Water

Yeah that is a problem. It's got slightly worse here now - 10 cases with one from someone who didn't travel to Mexico.

Originally posted by Ben

The media does exaggerate things quite a bit unfortunately.

I agree with that. I mean, let's just look at Europe for a moment. How many cases do we have here now?
On what? 350,000,000 people? Of course there's no harm in being carefull, but there hasn't been any case in Holland yet and many people are buying those mouthcaps already! :S It's a bit overreacting IMO.

Originally posted by Super

It's a bit overreacting IMO.