Deadly New Flu Strain Hits Mexico, U.S.

So here we go, what we all knew was coming: A deadly new flu strain--a variant of a swine flu--has moved up from Mexico found its way into the U.S. The never before seen flu strain has reportedly killed 20 people in Mexico and may be responsible for another 40 deaths. Mexico City has gone through a mass quarantine by shutting down schools and canceling public events in an attempt to prevent further transmission. In California, six people have already been infected, although the cases here appear mild so far. Nevertheless, the pig flu is here.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tests showed that the virus from 12 of the Mexican patients was the same genetically as a new strain of swine flu, designated H1N1, seen in eight people in California and Texas. This strain is being transmitted human-to-human, which is raising fears of a mass pandemic. Global health authorities, however, are not yet ready to declare it as such.

Analysis of the viral strain shows it to be a combination of swine, avian (bird) and human influenza strains. Typically, humans can catch the swine flu from pigs, but rarely is it transmittable to other humans. Not true of this strain, which is a human variant too--the likely reason for its transmission among humans.

In Mexico, there have been 1,004 reported cases in Mexicali on the border with California. Most of the dead were between 25 and 45 years old, a worrying notion since the typical human flu endangers the very young or the very old. A hallmark of pandemics is that they affect healthy young adults.

The latest word from U.S. authorities is that it is too late to contain the swine flu virus--it's here. On the positive side, the strain seems to be susceptible to the flu drug oseltamivir, otherwise known as Tamiflu.

Well, this is exactly what I've been warning against in my many posts speaking out against flu vaccination. I have always believed that a new flu strain outbreak was imminent; and I believe that people who just bucked up and caught the flu have hopefully been exposed to some elements of the new flu strain. No way to know for sure, but time will tell. It seems a best chance scenario to me anyway, since evolution takes time, and it is therefore possible that those of us who went unvaccinated and were exposed have encountered a degree of immunity to certain aspects of the human portion of this new deadly strain. Like I've said, only time will tell, but I prefer to take my chances with natural immunity (in this case) any day.

Oh well, chickens coming home to roost time. I'll keep you informed.

Flu Shot Study Update

Remember my post on the unplanned flu shot study? Remember how I pointed out that only 33% of the American population had received a flu shot as of December '08, and that only an estimated 17% more would be receiving the vaccine all season? Do you also recall how I pointed out that 80-90% of the population needs to be inoculated for protection to take place--at least theoretically?

OK, OK...you must remember all the other post of mine regarding the flu shot. Remember? You know, that I think it's the biggest scam of the last two centuries; that the flu shot doesn't protect against diddly (read this); that if you've bought into the flu shot hype, you've been duped royally. Well, let's add a little more fuel to the fire.

Experts now report that the flu may be off to a slow start--flu-like symptoms have been below normal all season. Well whaddaya know. Lets see, government agency sells public on shaky vaccine--one meant to combat rapidly mutating organism. Scientific community admits difficulty getting vaccine strain right, as whole process is guessing game as to which flu strain will rear its ugly capsid in any given year. Despite this, public still buys into flu shot BS.

Rewind to 2007: Record numbers of Americans go out and get the flu shot, yet we experience the worst flu season in three years. Now 2008: People say, "Up yours!" to the flu shot and stay away in record numbers, and to date...flu cases are down! Hmmm...does anybody else smell something fishy?

Well it's no surprise to me--I've been reporting this story for over two years. The flu shot is bona fide bovine scat. And you know what gives me gran satisfacción? People are getting it. Yes! But wait...is it possible that getting the flu shot, gulp, gives you the flu? Public health officials say, "Absolutely not!" But go ahead, read the side effects--sounds like flu to me. Okay...flu-like symptoms. Whatever. But check it: flu shots up...flu up. Flu shots down...flu down. Could it? Nah, it's just coincidence...right?!?!

Flu Vaccine Farce

Well, well, well--you heard it here first: The flu vaccine isn't worth all that much. To be fair, the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) is finally fessing up. Yup, you heard right--CDC officials are admitting that more than 50% of the flu strains we are currently seeing in the U.S. are NOT included in this year's flu vaccine. But you knew that, right? You're a regular reader of this blog, god bless ya!

U.S. officials have reported that the number of states reporting widespread flu activity has increased from 11 to 31 in just one week. The severity of flu strains is often measured by the number of children it kills in any given year. This season the number is at six--low by public health standards--but people are still getting sick by the boatloads. Hmmm...weren't flu vaccinations way up this year? Crazy.

Because the composition of the flu vaccine is decided nine months earlier than it is actually made available to the public--an eternity in light of the influenza virus' ability to mutate--it is often impossible to match exactly the strains that might make their appearance on any given year. To add insult to injury, one influenza expert has disclosed that we are now even seeing some strains developing resistance to Tamiflu, a popular anti-viral used frequently to fight the symptoms of the flu (which is supposed to be prevented through the vaccine--anybody else see a glitch in this reasoning?). According to Dr. Joe Bresee of the CDC's influenza division, "a less-than-ideal virus match between the viruses in the vaccine and those circulating viruses can reduce vaccine effectiveness." OK, thank you; finally, some sense. So why bother?

I know a lot of people who are battling the flu right now. Hang in there; you'll get better. And then you'll develop your own immunity, which will strengthen your system. Of course, that is until next year, when a new strain will then come around and we'll get to do it all over again. Boy, ain't health fun?