The Ballyfermot Blogger

If only my fiftieth post could have been on a more happy subject, but all the same its a dirty job but somebody gotta do it. The outbreak was discovered in Mexico on April 13th as a animal to human transfer, which is the normal way, but the disconcerting speed at which this disease has mutated into to a human to human varient it the most scary aspect, plus just how quickly the virus has spread: to three continents (America, Middle East and Australasia) within two weeks.

Facts a comparison of Flu

Deaths

Spanish Flu

Infection Rates 25 million in its first 25 weeks 20% or more of the world population suffering from the disease to some extent. Cause of death ‘A cytokine storm is a potentially fatal immune reaction consisting of a positive feedback loop between cytokines and immune cells, with highly elevated levels of various cytokines.’ In other words a healthly immune system is fooled into attacking the healthy host body. This is why so many young adults died as apposed to childern and older people lived; ironicly becase thay had weaker immune systems. Mortality rate 50% of all adults aged between 20 and 40.

Swine Flu

So far there has been Aprox: 2000 infections since April 13 when it emerged with maybe 80 deaths, it has spread very quickly from Mexico to America, then Isreal, New Zealand and today Canada. Mortality rates so far 4%.

Should the virus mutate again to a more deadly form, then we ahould all worry. Till then say your prayers. Watch this space for futher developments