I think the definition of pandemic has been lost in the discussion of the swine flu.
Pandemic only means that the virus is widespread and that seems to be the case. This is not surprising in this age of jet travel.
Pandemic does not define the virulence of the disease. Fortunately, at this time, the current swine flu virus doe not seem to be extraordinarily virulent, perhaps no more so than the usual seasonal flu.
This week the WHO is likely to increase the level alert to 6 but this is an expression of the spread of the virus, not the virulence. See this website for further information.
We need to pay attention but it certainly is not time to panic. For this family, the question is, is it time to go to San Antonio, Texas? The answer, so far, is yes! Moving out Saturday.PRM
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