From the category archives:

Social Impact

Is “swine flu” the most politically incorrect phrase in the English language?

Although I had never heard of Mr. Payack’s site, apparently he has taken it upon himself to compile, for the last six years, a list of what he deems the ten most politically incorrect words in the English language. Topping the list is a phrase we use all the time on this blog, “swine flu.” [...]

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DVD launched at swine flu school

A DVD advising children about tackling swine flu has been launched at a Birmingham school which was hit by an outbreak of the virus in May. Nearly 200 people connected to Welford Primary School in Handsworth were diagnosed with the virus including 44 people who were diagnosed in one week. The DVD has guidance for [...]

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Calibrated response to emerging infections

A very thoughtful paper, far removed from the knee jerk rantings of some newspaper columnists.
If the 2009 influenza pandemic turns severe, far exceeding the impact of seasonal influenza, early and enhanced surveillance may prove to have bought critical time to prepare a vaccine that could reduce morbidity and mortality. The negative effect on the pork [...]

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Swine Flu in the Home – What has been learned so far

This report describes the assessment of the secondary attack rate (SAR) and the effectiveness of post-exposure antiviral prophylaxis among household contacts in the first domestic outbreak of a novel influenza A(H1N1)v between mid-May and early June 2009 in Kobe city, Japan. Of the 293 subjects, 14 (4.8%) household contacts met the case definition and most [...]

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Swine flu: 50pc of working population could take time off

New guidance issued by the CIPD and the Business Continuity Institute BCI warns that absence rates will soar during a predicted second wave of the highly contagious flu now that schools return from the summer break.The prediction that half the working population could be absent at the same time is far above the Government’s guidance [...]

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Swine flu media coverage: hysteria over information?

Reasonable enough, but could not the administration coordinate an information process via media oulets to inform the public on when they can expect the vaccine shots to be available? Where people can go if they have limited or no health care insurance? Just how dire is this flu strain perceived? We’re not getting a whole [...]

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Schools’ swine flu bully fear

SCHOOLS have been put on alert to stop kids who have had swine flu being BULLIED when they go back to class.Children’s Secretary Ed Balls said that if the taunting becomes “serious or violent” schools could even call in police.
via Schools’ swine flu bully fear | The Sun |News.

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Swine Flu Hits Ramadan Gatherings

Muslims marked the start of the fasting month of Ramadan Saturday, but the global H1N1 pandemic has put a damper on religious festivities throughout the Middle East.  “Everyone is worried about swine flu,” says Anwar Mohamed, a Yemeni antique dealer. “We have been told to avoid crowds, but everywhere there are crowds.”
As Islam’s holiest month, [...]

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Why the poor will suffer more with Swine Flu

From an excellent piece in the NEJM, by Dr. Nicole Lurie, that nicely links healthcare reform, infection prevention and the public health:
“Early detection of a new infectious disease—and potentially the survival of those who are infected—requires that sick people have access to the health care system and receive early treatment. Delays in seeking care can [...]

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Feds advise employers on swine flu

Businesses could play a key part in controlling an expected outbreak of swine flu this fall, and can help by preaching good hygiene, promoting flu shots and making plans for high absenteeism, federal officials said Wednesday.  But one of the biggest things employers can do to prevent the spread of the new H1N1 virus is [...]

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