Comments on: Swine Flu Kills Texas Child, Regular Flu Kills Thousands

By: Gustopher

Gustopher — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:40:29 +0000

It's too soon to tell how dangerous the Swine Flu is -- we know 160 have been reported dead in Mexico, and 1,600 were hospitalized, but we don't know either of the following:

1. How many have died and not been reported.

2. How many have been infected.

If we look at the 160 and 1,600 numbers, then it has a 10% fatality rate, which is really bad. But, if only 1 in 10 were sick enough to go to the hospital, we are at 1%, which is just bad.

You shouldn't be cavalier about it, but you shouldn't be panicked either.

By: Houston

Houston — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:10:08 +0000

The local story is that the kid came up to Brownsville with his family last week, to visit relatives. He was apparently "a bit under the weather" when they arrived. His condition worsened, and he was admitted to a local Brownsville hospital, and then urgently transferred to Houston, but by then it was too late.

I live in southern-most Texas and commute across the border daily. There is very little concern now in northern Mexico. The vast majority of cases are in the vicinity of Mexico DF (the city) -- at least for now.

By: eat2bslim.com » Blog Archive » Simple Steps To Help Avoid Swine Flu - Eat your way to the perfect figure

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:13:26 +0000

[...] from normal flu so far this year. If you feel yourself stressing about the situation, read this sensible article to help put things into [...]

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:34:45 +0000

Yes. The initial report indicated otherwise and post has now been updated. Thanks.

By: Steve Plunk

Steve Plunk — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:17:44 +0000

Wasn't this child actually from Mexico seeking treatment in the United States?

By: PoliBlog: A Rough Draft of my Thoughts » Some Needed Perspective

PoliBlog: A Rough Draft of my Thoughts » Some Needed Perspective — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:26:43 +0000

[...] OTB. addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.poliblogger.com%2F%3Fp%3D15663'; addthis_title = [...]

By: The Glittering Eye » Blog Archive » Swine Flu Claims First U. S. Victim

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:38:03 +0000

[...] James Joyner notes concerns about potential bans on the importation of pork from the United States and Mexico: Oh, in an unpaid service to the pork industry, it’s worth noting that you don’t catch swine flu from eating the other white meat. [...]