Swine Flu - So why the Pandemic?

Question

Today's news is really "cr*p . I really don't understand the fuss considering the other stuff they mentioned:

First part:
GENEVA – The World Health Organization told its member nations it was declaring a swine flu pandemic Thursday — the first global flu epidemic in 41 years — as infections climbed in the United States, Europe, Australia, South America and elsewhere.

Second part:
On Wednesday, WHO said 74 countries had reported nearly 27,737 cases of swine flu, including 141 deaths. The agency has stressed that most cases have been mild and required no treatment, but the fear is that a rash of new infections could overwhelm hospitals and health authorities — especially in poorer countries.

And then there is this:
May 15, 2009 -- More than 100,000 Americans probably have the flu -- and at least half of these cases are H1N1 swine flu, a CDC expert estimates. (i.e. 50,000)
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20090515/cdc-100,000plus-in-us-have-swine-flu-half-swine-flu

Someone at WHO is as bad as me in Math!!

Last part:

The last pandemic — the Hong Kong flu of 1968 — killed about 1 million people. Ordinary flu kills about 250,000 to 500,000 people each year.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/un_un_swine_flu

Sun · Accepted Answer

I think the 100k number is referring to the number of people who could potentially be in the incubation period.  It seems that the CDC puts these things on a graphing calculator to try to predict the spread based on past trends and several other variables.  It's all theoretical and not confirmed cases.

Anonymous · Answer

I can already foresee by the press that this is going to be BIGGER and more of a big deal than bird flu. 

So far like 200 people have died, and half of them were healthy young adults(scary)not susceptible to the flu. 

So, avoid public places for now, and drink pleanty of herbal tea, because I foresee mass vaccinations, and closing of schools, etc, kaos... the crystal ball says so, and the Lord said so like 2,000 years ago.


ps: this is a man made flu which is more deadly and DESIGNED to be a pandamic. It's obvious.

Chey · Answer

This is a pandemic in its true definition. 

My guess is what it is going on in other countries particularly countries already dealing with the upswing in Avian flu and other infectious disease. example hoof and mouth,dengue, TB,other flu strains developing particular concern is this flu possiby will recombine with another strain more deadly.

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Swine Flu - So why the Pandemic?

3 Answers