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Latest scientific info about Swine flu

by Mike Wright
3 replies
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Firstly, it has been renamed by the WHO as "Influenza A".

Secondly the latest scientific facts are here....
BBC NEWS | Health | What scientists know about swine flu

Thirdly, take a tip from the Hitchhikers Guide and "Don't panic".
  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    Mike, this mainly reflects that the scientific community now regards this as a true human virus rather than a swine virus.

    As the virus passes through humans, it is likely to become more and more transmissible. In fact, it may take a large number of passes in humans before the virus achieves true pandemic potential. Its pathogenicity may also change i.e. decrease or increase as it passes.

    Looking back at the last pandemic, the 1968 H3N2 "Hong Kong flu". The H3N2 was already around a couple of years earlier. This was also true of the other pandemics. What this essentially means is that a pandemic may not occur this year but may happen in 2010 , 2011 or futher down. Therefore, there is no point in drawing any inferences as to what may happen from the very few cases we have had so far.

    The big problem is whether governments can maintain the same level of alert and measures against this virus indefinitely without affecting the economic activity badly.


    Derek
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    Do not get between a wombat and a chocolate biscuit; you will regret it dearly!

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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Motley
    Wash your hands, keep your germs to yourself, keep yourself and your area clean. If more people did these basic things, virus transmission would be severely cut. But people are hogs (no pun intended) and have an issue with even the most basic of cleanliness
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    • Profile picture of the author raphilon
      Originally Posted by Michael Motley View Post

      Wash your hands, keep your germs to yourself, keep yourself and your area clean. If more people did these basic things, virus transmission would be severely cut. But people are hogs (no pun intended) and have an issue with even the most basic of cleanliness
      yes that's true, i agree with you Michael
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