I don't care to know for myself how serious we should take these swine flu concerns, but goodness gracious, they've dominated the past 72 hours of news.
I deeply feel for those who have had to suffer at the expense of this nasty virus. Simultaneously, I'm wrestling with my skeptical self.
Does the threat of this virus validate our sudden and growing fears?
Should we begin crawling toward our respective corners?
Is this -- as one Facebook friend put it -- the "new Ebola virus"?
Who knows?
Today, new facts offered by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest we might be blowing things out of proportion.
Fewer people are dying than it seems.
Here are some of the facts:
As of 17:00 GMT, 30 April 2009, 11 countries have officially reported 257 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.
The United States Government has reported 109 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Mexico has reported 97 confirmed human cases of infection, including seven deaths.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (19), Germany (3), Israel (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (3), Spain (13), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (8).
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.
SOURCE: World Health Organization (WHO)
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