Update on Tracking Swine Flu's Global Reach

An update on Swine flu's global tentacles.

According to the Economist, ``THE annual meeting of the World Health Assembly this week has been dominated by swine flu, as the number of cases continues to climb. Over 400 cases have been confirmed since Monday May 18th alone; Greece is the latest country to report a patient with the (A)H1N1 virus, bringing the number of countries with infections to 41. Of the 80 people that have died, most were in Mexico, where the infection originated. Neighbouring America accounts for over half of the world's reported cases. Global efforts will now focus on ensuring that developing countries have sufficient vaccines."
So far the hysteria on swine flu seems to have been somewhat dissipating even as the disease have spread to far more corners of the world.

The Google trend above shows of the public's diminishing concerns as swine flu searches have materially waned.

Gallup has also the same observation.

Nonetheless as long as the flu doesn't mutate, whose origin has been heatedly contested (claims of human error being investigated), the impact should be contained.

So far this episode has been mostly a media hype based on government alarmist mien, which has been validating our thesis...see our previous posts:

Swine Flu: Mostly A Media Fuss
Swine Flu: The Politics of Fear and Control
Swine Flu: The Black Swan That Wasn’t