Swine Flu – is delaying the spread wise?
I note in my mailbox today that the New Zealand Health Minister Tony Ryall is declaring a policy of “keep it out, stamp it out” as regards Influenza A/H1N1. The Aussies tried this the last time we had a pandemic strain and found that they got a worse hit during the second wave.
I can understand the temptation to delay spread until a vaccine is available – if you can make enough in time for the whole population – but with the vaccine predicted to take until September 2009 (WHO) to be ready this is not going to be possible – especially when you consider the rules of the game require countries to share the vaccine around with other countries on a priority basis.
Perhaps the over-riding issues in the management of this pandemic are related to minismising financial loss? Certainly the negative affects of poor publicity relating to the “swine flu” have influenced decisions to stop reporting spread (USA) and in some cases bring people back from the dead (Mexico).
Perhaps the best thing to do is to allow the spread of the virus whilst it is mild and build some immunity. As Ministers keep telling us – “The NHS has never been better prepared”. The reality is of course that the hospitals are not prepared and don’t have enough ventilators to cope with a large influx of seriously ill patients with respiratory tract infections so countries are playing for time.
What do you think? Please leave a comment.
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