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Dave Coull · Independentista Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 2809

http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/pos...an_amply_protected_from_swine_flu
The news that Afghanistan has quarantined the one and only pig in the entire devoutly Muslim country (it's in Kabul Zoo, and has now been isolated from all contact with humans or other animals) shows that enlightened state is taking public health seriously. However, not everybody is convinced that the AH1N1 virus is the deadliest threat facing the planet. See the list given in the article below.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4910
Personally, I think there are a couple of major ommissions from that list.

One omission is normal, everyday, it's-around-every-Winter-and-has-nothing-to-do-with-Mexico-or-pigs, Flu, which kills 35,000 Americans every year, in a normal year. Not sure what the figure for a normal year is here, it's probably proportionately less, on account of the NHS and flu jabs for the elderly and vulnerable.

The other omission from the list is Malaria. For comparison, see the pie-chart of "People Killed This Month" at
http://www.cocadaboa.com/mrmanson...iew/1232/people-killed-this-month

Holebender · Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 9:52 am Post subject:

Malaria is a horrific killer, but only poor countries have it so it's largely ignored.
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"My instinct is to agree with your opinion of his verse, but I've never so much as glanced at it." - agentmancuso

Lord Pitsligo · Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 9:35 pm Post subject:

Holebender · Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 9:39 am Post subject:

He's not the only one. The statistics are mind-blowing when you look at the annual death toll from one wee parasite.
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"My instinct is to agree with your opinion of his verse, but I've never so much as glanced at it." - agentmancuso

jamesieboy · Helping with the Count Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 327

Surely if they could put a man on the moon 40 years ago then they could have, by now, eradicated malaria?

As a layman on medical matters I can only wonder why they haven't concentrated focusing on the mosquito's natural predators (other insects and birds) to try and get rid of it.

Or maybe they've already done this.

magister ludi · Gaining a Reputation Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Posts: 225

when there is an outbreak of midge 'flu then i'm going to be seriously worried

Lord Pitsligo · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 7:32 pm Post subject:

Morph · Our Scotland = 2nd Job! Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 916

Its the advent of 24 hour media. Seems like theres a new global threat every day just so BBC news 24 or Sky news have something to put on the 4 A.M bulletin.
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"An oppressive government is to be more feared than a tiger"

Lord Pitsligo · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject:

Morph · Our Scotland = 2nd Job! Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 916

I agree, however it was over reported in my opinion leading to people panicking and contacting GP's when it was not needed.

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"An oppressive government is to be more feared than a tiger"