Fighting flu together

Many years ago, when I was in high school, my friends and I used to discuss the possibility of an alien attack inspired no doubt by a certain superhero from Krypton

Fighting flu together

Many years ago, when I was in high school, my friends and I used to discuss the possibility of an alien attack inspired no doubt by a certain superhero from Krypton. When we discussed the end of the world fuelled more by imagination than by knowledge one of the more studious members of our group said that, while he didn't know if the world would end or not, he was sure about one thing the whole world would forget its differences and stand united against the aliens.

I was reminded about this while reading about the swine flu (now referred to by the WHO by its technical scientific name H1N1 influenza A). The WHO has raised the alert to level 5 as of April 29, 2009 and this is just one short of the highest possible level, level 6, which indicates a global pandemic.

In some ways, the swine flu is one of the worst things that could have happened to the world now. But while it is not a good thing, the fact that this can act as a uniting factor is also to be considered seriously.

While all countries have their differences, it is important that we treat this on a war footing, failing which this could develop into something similar to the 1918 flu pandemic, which is estimated to have affected up to one billion people, more than half the world's population at the time. And according to pbs.org, many believe the modern swine flu virus is a descendant of the deadly 1918 flu.

What can be done? WHO says that there are two classes of medicines, namely adamantanes and inhibitors of influenza neuraminidase that can be used. But more than medicines, the people of the world need to stand together and fight this menace and put aside their differences.

As Dr Margaret Chan, WHO's Director-General said in a statement on April 29 2009, 'New diseases are, by definition, poorly understood. Influenza viruses are notorious for their rapid mutation and unpredictable behaviour.' What this means is that we have to share knowledge, resources and medicines.

But, will we? We'd better. This is not an issue of LTTE vs. Sri Lankan Army or the US vs. Taliban or Pakistan vs. India. This is bigger than all these little fights. Right now, it should be one world against one virus.

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