Swine flu: US considers changing name of virus – Telegraph
American officials have said they might abandon the term swine flu, because it is confusing people into thinking they could catch the deadly virus from pork.… “In the public, we’ve been seeing a fair amount of misconception … and that’s not helpful.”
CDC scientists discovered the strain of influenza, a mix of pig, human and bird viruses. While it is scientifically known as part of the Type A/H1N1 family of influenza, they shortened the name to swine flu.
Immediately, US officials rushed to assure people that it is impossible to get pig strains of influenza from food. But by last weekend, China, Russia and Ukraine were banning imports of pork from Mexico and certain US states, and other governments were increasing screening of pork imports.
Then came name complaints from abroad. Israeli officials suggested renaming it Mexican flu, saying the reference to pigs was offensive to Muslim and Jewish sensitivities over pork. While the biggest outbreak and most serious illness so far is in Mexico, scientists don’t yet have proof that’s where the new virus originated.
But what to call the novel swine flu now? Mr Besser said that the government hasn’t decided yet. But a Department of Homeland Security notice suggested the boring scientific route: “The current influenza situation should be referred to as H1N1 Flu Outbreak.”
For the pork purveyors and hog farmers who make up the nation’s $15 billion pork industry, the flu’s name has been a disaster. Hog prices are already dropping as financial markets worry people will have second thoughts about buying pork.
Swine flu: US considers changing name of virus – Telegraph.
This is a good angle… Change the name because it offends Jews and Muslims AND change it to not include “swine” because of pork sales… So we could say it is “Avian”… but better not to make that disclosure (try finding where CDC calls it what it is “Human-Avian-Swine-Flu” I did here…Why Call it “Swine Flu” when it is “Human-Avian-Swine-Flu”? ). So, we move away form this and go with “H1N1 Flu” … how pc, joe
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