I know the hysteria is hard to shake off, but the WHO came out today and said that only eight people have actually died of this "swine flu" thus far.
Only 7 swine flu deaths, not 152, says WHO
Vivienne Allan, from WHO's patient safety program, said the body had confirmed that worldwide there had been just seven deaths - all in Mexico - and 79 confirmed cases of the disease.
"Unfortunately that [150-plus deaths] is incorrect information and it does happen, but that's not information that's come from the World Health Organisation," Ms Allan told ABC Radio today.
"That figure is not a figure that's come from the World Health Organisation and, I repeat, the death toll is seven and they are all from Mexico."
I put eight in the headline, because she may have said this before the Mexican-American kid died here in the U.S.:
From the CBC:
The WHO said Wednesday that laboratory tests have confirmed 114 cases in seven countries, including:
19 cases in Canada.
91 cases in U.S. with one reported death.
26 cases in Mexico with seven reported deaths.
Two cases in Israel.
Four cases in Spain.
Two cases in the United Kingdom.
Two cases in New Zealand.
Personally I'm finding the total media hysteria over this to be really more disturbing than people actually catching the flu. On another forum I frequent, someone is reporting CNN has a headline right now saying "Headline on CNN right now "Flu Pandemic Imminent HUMANITY UNDER THREAT"
Right ....
How many people die every year from the flu, worldwide? Well guess what -- it's a HUGE number! From the BBC:
It is worth remembering that seasonal flu often poses a serious threat to public health: each year it kills 250,000 - 500,000 around the world.
Let me repeat that. Regular flu kills 250,000 - 500,000 people around the world EVERY YEAR.
We've got a ways to go before this thing even becomes normal.
I know hysteria gets a LOT of people glued to the news channels. Think about it. It "sells a lot of papers".
Just something to keep in mind.
Why the WHO is feeding into the hysteria so much is, frankly, a bit of a mystery to me. Then again I'm no expert in flu viruses.
But so far? Sure, wash your hands after you go out anywhere, but hey, you should do that anyway.
Quit watching the corporate news. It's amazing to me that still, when the corporate media says "boo" people run for the hills. Amazing.