Swine flu prevention, prevention tips, swine flu pandemic,swine flu virus,swine influenza

Swine Flu: Understanding the need of the hour

Despite the repeated assurance from the government and the health personnel, people just won’t budge from the notion that consumption of pork has no relation with Swine Flu. The Flu is, no doubt, spreading like a forest fire. The number of cases, since the first ever case of the swine influenza has increased manifold. Mexico is reportedly, the worst hit country. Trips and visits to Mexico are being canceled. On top of that, even the native population is moving out of the country to be safe. Mexico has shut down almost completely after the outbreak of this pandemic.

Considering its effects, it is better to stay alert and informed about the flu. Though I admit, these days swine flu prevention is the major concern of the masses. However, there are a number of misconceptions and myths that got themselves attached with Swine Flu facts. The most prominent one, which I have personally noticed occupying people’s minds is that consumption of pork, causes swine flu. Apart from myself (who actually have taken to clearing the air of misconceptions about this disease), a number of other highly reliable sources like WHO, have assured the general public that it is totally safe to eat pork or pork products as swine influenza doesn’t get transmitted through eatables. CDC says that the swine flue virus, if present can be totally destroyed and made harmless by cooking the meat at 160 degree Fahrenheit.

Due to this ‘pork-phobia’, the sales of pig products have considerably dropped. Restaurants do not get pork orders any more. Much to the dismay of animal welfare organizations, the pigs in Egypt are being slaughtered mercilessly in large numbers. .

UAE has banned imports of pork in the name of combating swine flu. Since, it is a well known fact that swine flu virus has no connection with eating pork, this act seems to be just a means of Islamisation to most of the non-Muslims.

The U.S. department of Agriculture has sensed that the real reason behind this unreasonable phobia for pork and that is the name ‘swine flu’. Hence it has asked the government to rename the disease.

Let’s behave rationally and follow things we are supposed to follow. Being cautious is definitely a wise action during such pandemics. But the thing which is even more important is being awake and alert about the forthcoming predicament.