Swine flu: Complacency sets in as next wave builds

SHOOT: I have heard someone saying that the reaction to swine flu is 'all paranoia'. I've said before on this blog that with the exception of panicking, over-reacting to pandemic flu is virtually impossible. It is, historically, the greatest killer of our species in the history of our species. And pandemic flu (an exotic pathogen that we have no natural defence again) is unusual. It is an aberration, and it becomes a serious threat when human to human transmission of these exotic virusses occurs. And that has happened and is happening as it spreads around the world. The next wave may take place in 2-3 weeks from now, or during the autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.

clipped from www.google.com MEXICO CITY (AFP) — The head of the World Health Organisation warned on Monday that swine flu could return with a vengeance despite Mexico's President Felipe Calderon insisting his country has contained the epidemic. WHO chief Margaret Chan said in a newspaper interview that a second wave of the virus "would be the biggest of all outbreaks the world has faced in the 21st century", puncturing optimism emanating from the epicentre of the outbreak. The diplomatic damage from the epidemic also reverberated with China denying it had discriminated against Mexican nationals after dozens were placed under quarantine over the weekend despite showing no signs of the flu. More countries are confirming cases every day with Italy and Colombia becoming the latest to join the list, while France announced two new confirmed cases. Japan on Monday tripled the number of quarantine officers at Tokyo's Narita airport to try to detect cases at the start of a key holiday week.