Right, this 'swine flu' is not actually original swine flu, which as far as i can tell.. is not a real threat to humans.. it is a different strain of swine flu that humans can contract.
It's not exactly, bubonic plague.. so let's not panic.. but we just obviously deal with it before it becomes the new MRSA.. i.e let's not cock this up with ignorance.
In Mexico, where the outbreak started it is worse because obviously the infection is far more consentrated.. but as it goes around the globe from visitors to mexico during it's infection period, i can't see it causing major widespread global infection. Firstly, because it's the worst time to be a flu virus at this time of year, and secondly because the distance it will have to travel to reach other continents.. the germs will only have a short lifespan.. should it actually last that long. The danger is that it might last around until the traditional flu time, and it might pose a bigger problem.
For every person in the UK who has the swine flu and is a carrier, x amount of people will get it, and pass it on.. but it will get weaker after each passing on phase.. especially as it's being treated early. The only way it will survive in the long-term is for consistant re-infection from the original source.. but by that time, the situation in Mexico should be under control.. and what's left infection wise here is it's natural infection period. Once everyone has passed that period, it will decline rapidly as it'll have no where to go.. just like any other 'bug'.
The actual 'swine flu' is not the real problem here really. It is just the fact that x amount of people will get a different type of flu which they are not immune to, which throws up more variables and will up the percentage of flu deaths because people won't know they have it. More people will die from flu, because there is more flu around.. but not because it's any more lethal than human flu. It's just that people at risk might have double the risk of getting flu, and then getting serious illenesses like pneumonia.
I think the media will hype this up as usual. If only all the immigrants went home, or Diana was still alive, (she'd save us all, if your a Daily Mail reader).. Yes, people have died.. but they haven't died in any other way to human flu.. and people die everyday of flu.. it's not like the tamiflu treatment is not working or that people are dying of some grousome disease where their eyes explode and dribble down their faces, their brains incubate hatchings and their limbs fall off and bite people.
I will not worry.. yes it is a threat, and a notable threat.. but only because we don't really know what this can turn into if we ignore it long enough. It'll be the new MRSA. Generally, i don't abuse personal hygiene and i always wash my hands.use a tissue after doing anything that i might be able to pass on.. like a sneeze, spit, toilet or whatever. If we all do that, we'd all be healthier.. so this is no different.
Besides, i can't die of Swine flu. I'm still waiting to die of SARS.
