Swine Flu Pandemic Threat Looms

The world is bracing either for a disease outbreak of historic proportions or for an effort to fight such a pandemic that may itself be unprecedented. The H1N1 virus, commonly called swine flu because of its origin in pigs, infected millions earlier in 2009. After the first case was detected in Mexico, this rare strain of influenza spread rapidly around the world. Though blamed for about 800 deaths, swine flu isn’t a “historic” pandemic—yet.

But the swine flu has potential, according to public health officials, to become a far more deadly disease. And that fact has governments including the United States preparing to launch the most massive, fastest vaccination program in history. Every year influenza accounts for up to 500,000 deaths worldwide; that’s the base line. A major outbreak of swine flu this “flu season” (basically the cold months) would have enormous social and economic impacts—forcing schools and businesses to close, disrupting travel, and overwhelming the health care system.

A historical perspective can help us gauge the seriousness of the problem. Disease is an expected, though unfortunate, fact of life. It affects individuals and families and impacts societies and underlies issues like health care debates. But unless it becomes extremely severe in its impact, its historical significance is often overlooked. An estimated 50 million people died in 1918 of the Spanish influenza. The Black Death wiped out about half as many in Europe in the mid-1300s. And the Justinian Plague in A.D. 541–542 may have ushered in the Dark Ages. Now that’s historic.

Related Links

• H1N1 Flu: Vaccine Safety Concerns Gain Speed
  This Reuters article covers current preparations for what may be a historic pandemic—or certainly a historic effort to ward one off.
  (Source: Reuters, July 30, 2009)
• Swine Flu Vaccine Timeline: Key Decisions, Key Milestones
  The medical-information Web site webmd.com details the historic efforts to prepare to combat the H1N1 (swine flu) virus.
  (Source: WebMD, July 20, 2009)
• FACTBOX: The World’s Largest Disease Outbreaks and Threats
  This Reuters article describes the world’s most challenging current disease threats, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, with historical data on past outbreaks.
  (Source: Reuters, April 29, 2009)
• A History of Virus: Swine Flu Outbreak Is No Plague Yet
  This Canadian news site recounts the deadliest epidemics in world history, including the Spanish Flu of 1918 and the Black Death of the Middle Ages.
  (Source: The National Post, April 27, 2009)
• Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)
  This CDC Web page answers frequently asked questions on swine flu.
  (Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention, April 23, 2009)