Why did they call it swine flu?

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:8716093219666652::NO::F2400_P1001_BA CK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,77207

Paragraph 6 and 7 in Part 1 Brief history and terminology of Swine Flu


Finally, it appears as if no exposure to swine has occurred among people who have come down with the current novel H1N1 virus. The virus has elements of human, swine, and avian viruses normally found in Europe or Asia. It is this genetic analysis of the virus which has really developed the level of concern for this outbreak. If there wasn't a match with the US virus the fact that it is being transmitted out of season and in young, healthy adults might have even been overlooked.

So, in summary, the reason that we are calling this virus swine flu is the history and evolution of the virus.

Hang on, why pig. Why not bird? Why not human?


It also rests on the fact that some of the genetic analysis indicates that elements from viruses that have traditionally been found in swine populations are incorporated. However since we know nothing of how this particular virus has gotten into the human population but there apparently is no history of swine exposure, it probably makes more sense epidemiologically to refer to this simply as an H1N1 influenza virus.


:confused::confused::eyeroll:

[Niamh]

Its got a nice ring to it when you pair it with the word 'pandemic'. :rolleyes:

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

http://www.beyondconformity.org.nz/_bpost_1598/When_Swine_Flu_isn't_swine_flu

[3monkeys]

I read your blog and that link on vit D this am and it was very very interesting. Thank you.

I was always a bit concerned about giving the kids D3, because we use it (as cholecalciferol) to kill rats. But that article has given me the confidence that I wont kill my children by supplementing D3 over winter. I wont give CLO due to my stance on the fisheries :D Probably easier than D3 but I just cant bring myself to do it.

[passionatewriter]

im very confused by this.

everything im hearing from the news...seems to be opposie of what im reading rom links here etc.

i really feel like im on another planet.

they seem to be suggetsing its pig and that they know which pig.

[Trogdor]

By saying they know which pig it is , they are showing their superior tracking skills...and creating more of a panic situation..."It's serious enough for them to even track down the original pig ! "
It's a bunch of hooey...if you asked them to extrapolate...they wouldn't be able to do it.

[passionatewriter]

i dont disagree, and i guess i shouldnt expect more (what planet do i really think im on) but hearing today that there were a few cases that live near a pig farm..and its that farm.

anyone know anything about the military freezer that broke? im not sure where that story line is.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

There have been no cases near any pig farms.

And then there's this:

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/04/26/USDA-Swine-not-infected-with-swine-flu/UPI-49911240800601/ (http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/04/26/USDA-Swine-not-infected-with-swine-flu/UPI-49911240800601/)

USDA: Swine not infected with swine flu

WASHINGTON, April 26 (UPI) -- U.S. officials said Sunday there is no evidence the outbreak of swine flu has affected swine and consumers cannot get the virus from eating pork.
"There is no evidence at this time showing that swine have been infected with this virus," Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said in a statement.
Citing scientists at the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vilsack said swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food "so you cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products." Vilsack reminded consumers that food must be properly handled and cooked to kill viruses and other foodborne pathogens.
"USDA has in place, and did so before the last week's events, a surveillance system to monitor animal health," Vilsack said. "As an additional precautionary measure, I have asked USDA to reach out to agriculture officials in every state to affirm that they have no signs of this virus type in their state."
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Sunday she has declared a public health emergency to free up funds to fight the virus' spread and to release one-quarter of the government's stockpile of anti-virus medications Tamiflu and Relenza.
Richard Besser, acting director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, said his agency has confirmed 20 non-fatal cases of swine flu within the Unites States, including eight cases found among New York City high school students. The other cases were detected in Ohio, Kansas, Texas and seven in California.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

I read your blog and that link on vit D this am and it was very very interesting. Thank you.

I was always a bit concerned about giving the kids D3, because we use it (as cholecalciferol) to kill rats. But that article has given me the confidence that I wont kill my children by supplementing D3 over winter. I wont give CLO due to my stance on the fisheries :D Probably easier than D3 but I just cant bring myself to do it.

I'm very very wary of supplementing with vitamin D, and don't do it where we live, because at least between 12 and 2.00 we get enough. i've attached for you, the NIWA pdf which talks about your latitudes. Have a read carefully, and think about what you need to do. Depending on how much sun you get, you might be able to make it through with minimal supplementing. You just have to plan right. Assuming the sun breaks through...

[3monkeys]

Thank you for that. I will have a look. I try to get the kids outside most days, and even if the sun breaks through sometimes the temp doesnt allow sun on skin. Beanies, jackets etc etc......... we eat a decent amount of cod, I wonder how much vit D is in that?

[Mommy0406]

I'm very very wary of supplementing with vitamin D, and don't do it where we live, because at least between 12 and 2.00 we get enough. i've attached for you, the NIWA pdf which talks about your latitudes. Have a read carefully, and think about what you need to do. Depending on how much sun you get, you might be able to make it through with minimal supplementing. You just have to plan right. Assuming the sun breaks through...

Do you have a similar article/graph for Canada? Or thoughts? I don't fully trust the line that public health feeds about there only being 4 months of the year that it's even possible to get vit D from outside sun exposure, but haven't come across anything that disagrees with it yet. I'm in Edmonton if that helps with latitudes.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

I've never tried to find out Canadian data since I don't live there. I'll ask someone...

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further discussion about the nature of the virus:

http://scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure/2009/04/swine_flu_more_on_the_genetics.php#more