Swine flu up-date from the Journal Nature

Surveillance is not just academic; it is key to getting early warnings of events that call for swift adaptations of control strategies.

"Swine flu is currently sensitive to the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu), for example, but seasonal H1N1 is resistant. Were the new virus to acquire resistance, that would render redundant the Tamiflu stockpiled by many nations as part of their pandemic plans.

New flu strains are more likely to arise in equatorial countries, where influenza is present the year round and surveillance is poor," reports D. Butler.

My comment: Indeed surveillance does appear to have been efficient in developed countries despite scepticism from surprising quarters as to the seriousness of this flu alert . Many people to whom I spoke, normally considered intelligent people, perhaps trying to be even smarty smart or carry on Biz and leasure as usual, felt this was just a government(s) ploy to distract attention from current economic woes. How quickly people forget such events as Mad Moo which was a horrendous way to leave the planet. And how many of us up-hold bad practice.



My reading is that in these cases (at least since the blood contamination scandale or again in Tchernobyl radiation spread, not to mention a few conveniently forgotten or not yey uncovered issues) the authorities in developed countries acted appropriately, in a responsible manner, and hopefully will continue to do so, more and more. But public awareness does require to be sharpened and protection is never total in this life! That politicians are "afraid of public fears" does not say much in favour of our "developed education system" when good advice is taken as bad!

Less developped countries should certainly take heed and take resonsible appropriate action.

In Scots
"Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim'rous beastie, " O, what a panic's in thy breastie!
In English
Small, sleek, cowering, timorous beast,O, what a panic is in your breast!

from R. Burns poem "To a Mouse"

Repeat:
Less developped countries should certainly take heed and take responsible appropriate action. Sometimes it pays to be scared.

More...
Full story from Nature News Alerts by Declan Butler
Published online 27 May 2009 Nature 459, 490-491 (2009) doi:10.1038/459490a