Pandemic?!

By Rachel Oppenheimer

A week after Mexico alerted the world to a potential flu pandemic, the virus proves relatively mild and the response quite extensive. Some international organizations have shown weaknesses, but a divergence in governments' reactions demonstrates the greatest challenge. The World Health Organisation (WHO) deserves credit for raising international awareness, urging countries to expand their own preparations, and preparing technical advice. But the fact that it ultimately serves its member states limits its powers. As countries ignore the WHO's scientific advice, international consensus and cooperation start to fall apart in a way that will only exacerbate the flu's impact.

The swine flu spread to more countries today and world health officials cautioned against panic. They announced the preparation of a vaccine, though it will not be available until late summer or early fall.

But Asia struck panic mode: The Hong Kong government confirmed Asia's first case of swine flu today. Apparently, a Mexican citizen flew into the territory yesterday, subsequently developed a fever, and has now been isolated in a hospital. Mask- and glove-wearing police officers guarded the hotel where he had been staying. The government will quarantine the hotel for a week and treat all guests with the antiviral drug Tamiflu.

Mexico realized it can leverage swine flu for athletic prowess: The swine flu panic reached an all-time high this morning when a Mexican soccer player threatened a Chilean rival with the virus. In the 88th minute of a tied match in Latin America's annual tournament for soccer clubs, Chivas player Hector Reynosa coughed and launched mucus into the face of Sebastian Penco, a forward on Chile's Everton team. A Chilean media outlet immediately tied the event to swine flu fears, titling its fight story “Mexican spat at Everton player in midst of swine flu panic.”

And Israel nit-picked over religion and linguistics: An Israeli official urged a swine flu name change because the disease name offends Jewish and Muslim sensitivities over pork. At a news conference last Monday, Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman said “we should call this Mexican flu and not swine flu.”

The virus has caused global terror – but I am more terrified of the mask-wearing subway zombies than all the Mexican travelers, soccer affronts, and anti-semitic names combined.