One thing I noticed is that the media is still calling this “Swine Flu”. Medically, that is NOT what we are dealing with in this illness... Tests through the CDC have shown that this is a NEW strain that contains partial genetic codes of North American Swine Flu, “Regular” Human Flu “A”, North American Avian Flu, AND European/Asian Swine flu.
Also, while Swine flu is known to be transferred from an infected pig to humans, this is the first time it has shown the ability to be transferred from Human to Human.
Again, while our (stupid) media is calling this “swine flu” that is NOT what we are dealing with.
Also, it took US doctors sending samples to the CDC for testing in discovering that this wasn’t your “regular” swine flu, for doctors in Mexico to even CONSIDER that this wasn’t a “late-season regularly occurring flu”.
The difference in mortality rates in Mexico vs. the “mildness” of symptoms in Americans, and folks from other more developed countries COULD be the result of Americans (and other “richer” countries) having a higher ‘baseline’ of general health, as well as better sanitation, availability of quality medical care, etc...
I would hate to see people jump to the conclusion that this is all a bunch of hogwash (no pun intended), because if we really ARE dealing with a possible pandemic that mindset is the WORST possible thing that could happen — as it could lead to people unwittingly exposing themselves and others unnecessarily.
Now, given the above, I’m not suggesting people PANIC (again one of the WORST things that could happen), just that we need to reserve judgment until we get more information.
What do we know for sure — this is a NEW strain of flu, and it isn’t “Swine Flu” that we’ve dealt with naturally occurring for years and years now according to the scientists who have been able to develop a complete genetic code for this virus already. It RESEMBLES 4 different strains of previously known viruses (flu viruses), but it is NEW, and has NEVER been seen before by scientists.
It’s also important to take media reports with a grain of salt in some ways — we can’t even trust them to get quotes right when it comes to political campaigns and such, to take them at their word when it comes to something WAY more complicated such as medical issues would be naive, IMHO.
It doesn't really matter much whether this is a variation of swine flu or not. However you want to categorize it, it's one of those breakout mutations to which most of us will have no natural immunity against.
I suspect the reason it looks worse in Mexico is because that's where it first was discovered, and they have a longer period of experiencing it.
But there's no reason to believe it will preferentially kill Mexicans. The CDC has confirmed it's the same virus now being found here.
We have more access to Tamiflu and other antiviruls, but this does look pretty bad.
I’d be happy to call it the MEXICAN anything. That much should be made clear.
Also...
The difference in mortality rates in Mexico vs. the “mildness” of symptoms in Americans, and folks from other more developed countries COULD be the result of Americans (and other “richer” countries) having a higher ‘baseline’ of general health, as well as better sanitation, availability of quality medical care, etc...”
Just waiting for our government to announce that our borders must remain open in order to share medical resources and compassionate access to proper care... so as to prevent more deaths in Mexico.