What’s the big concern about this flu that’s going around now? According to Daniel J. DeNoon and reviewed by Louise Chang, MD is that this is an unusual strain of virus.
According to Mr. DeNoon, “there are four different types of swine flu strains that commonly circulate among pigs. Most recent swine flu viruses have belonged to the H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes. Pigs typically get sick but usually don’t die from swine flu.”
“What is alarming about the current flu that has started is that it’s acquired genes from swine, bird and human flu bugs. It also has genes from Eurasian swine flu viruses that aren’t supposed to be in North America.”
So we have a “cocktail” of virus that could mutate into something more dangerous. I’m not a scientist, but I believe that is the real concern of the government.
Just how concerned:
“We are declaring today a public health emergency,” Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said today at a White House news briefing. That declaration is “standard operating procedure,” Napolitano said. “It is similar to what we do when we see a hurricane approaching a site. The hurricane might not actually hit but allows you to take a number of preparatory steps. We really don’t know ultimately what the size or seriousness of this outbreak is going to be.”
For more information on the flu and how to protect yourself, go to WebMD Health News
We’ve covered what the current flu worries are. Now here are some of the ramifications that are already happening to the economy because of the flu outbreak. According to CNN An article about how the could derail the fragile global economy:
“Already, Russia has banned imports from Mexico, California and Texas. As the flu progresses, the fear is an overreaction and the banning of exports, perhaps worldwide.
But if the outbreak does grow into a large-scale pandemic, Auger said global trade could be disrupted through export restrictions.
“It could lead to travel restrictions for goods and people through major control over ports and airports,” he said.”
My wishes and prayers are with all of you, be safe and stay healthy.