The new strain of H1N1 flu (formerly called swine flu) was first identified in Mexico in April 2009. Cases have been confirmed across the United States, Canada, several countries in Europe, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Brazil, Costa Rica and Hong Kong. As a reminder, over 36,000 people in the US die annually from one or other kind of Flu. That’s around 100 per day or 700 per week, and since the deaths are not distributed evenly throughout the year, it is not unusual to have over 1,000 deaths from flu in a week. Keep this perspective as this story progresses. While the new strain may cause a higher number of deaths, it is crucial to remember that flus come and go naturally, and overreacting (as well as under-reacting) does not help. The media may not always give a proportionate response, as they are competing for audience. Bookmark this wiki to stay informed, and share the link to help others get informed. This wiki is dedicated to sharing accurate information without scaremongering.
