Swine Flu? Really?

[mrlich]

Come to me, my intarwebs!

Am I missing something here? I mean - 36,000 deaths due to influenza per year (via the CDC), with (I'm told) exactly 1 death (in the US) thanks to swine flu. I don't mean to belittle that one death, but I just don't understand what the freak out is for.

To those more in the know than myself - am I missing something here?

Comments

[grumpymonkey.livejournal.com]

The rapid spread of the virus in countries where immunization isn't as prevalent could mean a pandemic. With globalization making interaction between citizens of other countries a regular occurrence, this puts our own un-immunized populations at risk. Because it's such a deadly strain of flu and we Americans tend to self-medicate all but the worst colds, it could be very dangerous. The single death... that's just the scary stuff the press likes to lead with.

If it bleeds, it leads...