I think that influenza is one of nature's ways of keeping us in check. In the current panic, people are forgetting that the various varieties of human influenza kill hundreds of thousands of people annually worldwide - including Australia, where more than 2700 deaths were attributed to "influenza and pneumonia" in 2006 [ http://abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/3303.0Main+Features12006?OpenDocument ].

Zoonotic diseases like swine flu (and HIV etc) are only able to establish themselves in human populations via cultural and/or technological vectors like intensive animal husbandry - it's no accident that many of these diseases emanate from domestic chickens and pigs. One question I haven't seen discussed is whether or not the vector works both ways - i.e. could swine flu infect a pig from a human vector?

It's far too early to tell, but discussions I heard on ABC radio today suggest that the pandemic, if it happens, will impact less on first world societies than in developing countries. However, it's clearly prudent for governments (including Australia's) to ensure that health services are prepared for the possibility that the virus manifests in their populations.

I understand that there haven't been any confirmed cases of swine flu in humans in Australia at this point, but I think it's highly unlikely that will remain the status quo.

EVO2: << The boy who cried woof >>

Priceless.

Well once again the media has managed to stick their noses in without carefully thinking it threw. And the governments are also to blame. I am talking about the possabillity of one being quaranteened if they are suspected of having the swine flu.

Now who today can afford to be laid up in some hospital on the off chance they have this flu. All it is going to do is make people less willing to be tested as they will perhaps loose their jobs, businesses or house due to the financial set back.

Well done you fools, take another bow!

rehctub, thats one side of it. The other side is how many people face that same problem when someone who has an illness (or appears to have it) dec ides that their financial priorities are more important than the risk of passing on their illness to others? Would the maths change if the carrier was liable for the damage to others resulting from a negligent decision not to stay isolated when their was reasonto think that they were carrying a contagous disease?

It's not easy or clear cut either way. I've been into work on days when I probably should have stayed home - the days when it seems missing a day will make a big difference. I've also been in the office when others have made that choice and wished they and their germs had stayed away.

R0bert

i note john howard brought in work con-tracts arround the sars scare, so govt clearly likes the boss to have a worker fill his con-tracted em-ploy-meant

uk govt bying 50 billion face masks [how much that going to cost [a great tender eh>

we get these ongoing beatups so govt can expend ever more on medicine[me-di-sin]read yesterday got spends 23 billion on drug subsidy[a great coorperat welfare eh[people wouldnt be so careless with drugs if they had to pay the real price of drugd

wont get into the drug war[increasing the price of the cheapest drug that relieves pain[for less than a few cents[but yo its addictive[like nicoteen and caffenne and booze,

but its worth going to war for..[worth declaring war on its own citisenry[..worth the subsidy on the other pain relievers[yet causes fewer deaths than,its drug replacement[see sdverse reaction to perscribed drugs][prozac alone has killed 15,000]

in a normal flue season thats how many die from normal flue/..feul for thought..[how many need die for pandemic?, not defined..[just like a terrorist never got defined..

[wonder what real news occured today..[that this scam neatly removes from our thinking]...lol

ok watch my left hand..lol

while my rigfht hand does unspeakable things

http://www.infowars.com/wayne-madsen-on-russia-today-suspicions-over-origin-of-virus/
http://www.infowars.com/infowars-under-sophisticated-denial-of-service-attack/
http://www.infowars.com/scientists-see-this-flu-strain-as-relatively-mild/
from
http://republicbroadcasting.org/32k.pls
DHS Transcript:“Anyone Exhibiting Swine Flu Symptoms Will Be Evaluated Before Proceeding To Their Destruction

Below is an excerpt taken from the transcript of a media briefing conducted by Janet Napolitano the Homeland Security Secretary regarding the swine flu.According to the transcript,Napolitano stated that travelers exhibiting swine flu symptoms would be taken to an isolation room to be evaluated by a public health official before proceeding to their destruction.

We’re also actively monitoring travelers at our land, sea, and air ports...We’re watching them for signs of illness,..and we have appropriate protocol..lol..in place to deal with..?..those who areceemed]sick.Precautions are being taken to protect travelers and border personnel.Anyone exhibiting symptoms is being referred to an isolation room where they can be evaluated by a public health official before proceeding to their destruction.

Typo? Fruedian slip?
We’ll let you be the judge of this one until audio or video is available of the media briefing.
..but what are the odds that such a ridiculous mistake would be made?

http://www.roguegovernment.com/DHS_Transcript%3A_%22Anyone_Exhibiting_Swine_Flu_Symptoms_Will_Be_Evaluated_Before_Proceeding_To_Their_Destruction/15448/0/17/17/Y/M.html
http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1241056994692.shtm

http://www.infowars.com/on-the-flu-bug-and-those-disappearing-microbiologists/
http://www.infowars.com/scientist-predicted-swine-flu-in-2004/
http://www.infowars.com/government-template-for-mass-vaccination/

far worse than reported?
http://republicbroadcasting.org/?p=1652
http://www.infowars.com/biden-stay-off-subways-during-swine-flu-panic/
needs to be kept secure
[after all were selling our futures to buy their drugs]
http://republicbroadcasting.org/?p=1673
northcom takes over if swine declared
http://republicbroadcasting.org/?p=1655
hate crime unconxtitutional
http://republicbroadcasting.org/?p=1663
1976 swine propaganda
http://republicbroadcasting.org/?p=1560
ron paul vidio proper perspective
http://republicbroadcasting.org/?p=1618
http://www.infowars.com/us-economy-gdp-shrinks-in-worst-slump-in-50-years/
http://www.infowars.com/ron-paul-talks-with-alan-colmes-on-secession-piracy-torture-memos-and-more/
http://www.infowars.com/top-senate-democrat-bankers-own-the-us-congress/
http://www.infowars.com/thought-police-muscle-up-in-britain/
http://www.infowars.com/cap-and-trade-3900-per-family-per-year/
http://www.infowars.com/chairman-of-gore-climate-hearing-strikes-gavel-cuts-off-all-dissent/
http://www.infowars.com/aipac-pushing-for-new-iran-sanctions-bill/
http://www.infowars.com/texas-doctor-claims-swine-flu-cases-far-worse-than-reported/

I'm waiting for a Mike Munroe special report before I start wearing my mask.

'ok watch my left hand..lol

while my rigfht hand does unspeakable things'

Is it just me, or did anyone else think this was about masturbation?

Up to phase 5 now... Getting exciting huh. I wonder what terrorism phase we're in now. I'll just go check my fridge magnet...