Swine flu gets fashionable

As swine flu approaches the pandemic stage, a new fad is going viral: the swine flu fashion mask.

As swine flu approaches the pandemic stage, a new fad is going viral: the swine flu fashion mask.

Residents in the swine flu's epicentre Mexico as well as other swine flu-hit countries, have already taken on the disease have been wearing decorative masks to make the ordeal bearable.
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FASHION FIRST: One of the many interesting masks available online

And even though it's been barely a week since the H1N1 virus, as it is being called now, seized hold of the world's attention, graphic designers and online retailers are already offering swinophobes everywhere the chance to make a fashion statement.

Nuvo Accessories, an online retailer that is making animal-print and bandanna-style flu masks, said it's preparing to ship about 2,500 units it's sold in just five days.

Orders started "coming from all over the place once we put up the website" at flufashion.net, said Jay Ginsberg, sales manager for Nuvo.

For the super rich

Meanwhile, media reports have said that one major fashion house is rumoured to be planning a jewel embellished mask for their extremely-rich customers, which is expected to be on sale in a few days.

Business Analyst Ken Green explained, "It's only natural that business and creative people want to get on board. I can see this becoming the next big thing."

Fashion analyst Fiona Dollak added, "I have no doubt that we will be seeing surgical masks on runways across the world."

One London designer is already working on the look.

Dr Noki sends models down the catwalk wearing masks embellished with beads or Spiderman pictures. Said Noki, "My mother detests it, but it's an arresting image. It may not be attractive, but it's my own form of branding."

Swine flu hits...

Mexico: The epicentre of the disease has so far seen 15 deaths and an additional 328 confirmed cases. They began a five-day shutdown yesterday to halt the spread of the virus.

US: The number of confirmed human swine flu cases here has risen to 141. Nearly 300 schools across the country have been closed in view of the swine flu threat. One child has died of the deadly virus
so far.

Canada: As the third worst hit country, it has reported 35 cases so far.

Spain: It has 13 confirmed cases

Other countries with confirmed cases include Austria (1), Canada (34), Germany (3), Israel (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (3), Switzerland (1), UK (8) and Hong Kong (which reported its first confirmed case of swine flu yesterday).