little miss Joy ♥

"Swine flu" is inaccurately termed

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

If you think the recent swine flu (H1N1 influenza virus to be exact) is termed as such because of the zoonotic transmission between swine and people, and then, you dare not eat pork as a result of this, worry for yourself.

It's a sign of being ignorant.

Why is H1N1 influenza virus termed "Swine flu"?

According to a ProMED-mail (link), a global electronic reporting system for outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases and toxins, the reason that this virus is nicknamed swine flu is the history and evolution of the virus.

Below are the excerpts.

In 1918-1919 the Spanish Flu caused significant death and morbidity in both human and swine populations, although it is likely to have originated from birds. “Swine Flu” is bascially any virus that circulates through pig populations, such as H3N2, H1N2 or the present H1N1. The terms H and N stand for haemagluttin and neuraminidase, which are unique ways influenza viruses infect humans.

Such terminology also rests on the fact that some of the genetic analysis indicates that elements from viruses that have traditionally been found in swine populations are incorporated.

Realistically, however, the name seems to have stuck in the popular media already and the terms swine flu does reflect what we know about the history of some very important H1N1 viruses. Unfortunately, this name will imply a simple, zoonotic transmission between swine and people.

To sum it up, we know nothing of how this particular virus has gotten into the
human population but there apparently is no history of swine exposure, it probably makes more sense epidemiologically to refer to this simply as an H1N1 influenza virus.

In response to countries which have banned pork imports from America, the World Health Organization warned such bans would only worsen the world trade situation.

The false belief of H1N1 influenza virus is transferred from swines to humans has no scientific proof.

This simply shows how detrimental a terminology can be when the public gives it a wrong meaning based on widespread ignorance. The media has to take the blame in propagating such inaccurate names. Can it be called H1N1 influenza virus instead? Just like how the "bird flu" was renamed H5N1 influenza virus.

Before accepting terms in face value, find out why and how they are coined. Often, we oversimplify, generalize, stereotype and give our own meanings to things we see too much.

Please, believe in Science.

11:32 PM | back to top

Rewind