preMEDitated

June 11, 2009 – The World Health Organization (WHO) has just declared the AH1/N1 outbreak as a pandemic, meaning that the outbreak is now beyond epidemic proportions.
The AH1/N1 virus, more commonly known as swine flu is responsible for 141 deaths and 27,737 confirmed infections in 74 countries. Yet despite those figures, WHO and the Department of Health (DOH) are one in saying, “DO NOT PANIC.”
Most cases, especially all cases (77) found in the Philippines, show only mild manifestations of the disease indistinguishable from the common flu. Symptoms of the disease may include fever, cough, colds, and rarely vomiting.
Unfortunately, the hype has caused many people to panic. Drug companies and some doctors have been quick to ride on the wave of hysteria*. People have been flocking to them in droves. They believe that getting injected with the current flu vaccine would protect them from the swine flue. In effect, their panic is filling up the purses of some doctors and drug companies.
Hygienic practices such as frequent hand washing, and not touching the nose, mouth, and eyes are more effective in preventing swine flu infection than the current flu vaccine. It would take a few more months for vaccine manufacturers to produce vaccines against AH1/N1.
Btw, it would be better for Filipinos to be more cautious against more dangerous diseases such as dengue than the swine flu. In Cagayan de Oro alone, 200 dengue cases were noted with 4 deaths. Swine flu has 27,737 cases worldwide but only 141 deaths.

*A well known drug company in a mall in Cagayan de Oro proudly advertised they had flu vaccines for sale.

Sources:
1. World Health Organization
2. Higher alert sought for rise in dengue cases
3. DOH warns vs overreaction to swine flu
4. WHO: Swine flu pandemic has begun, 1st in 41 years