I have said nothing here thus far on this topic, but I think it is about time: I am really ashamed of how the world health authorities, and more specifically those from my country, are reacting to the supposedly huge danger from the influenza A virus. There are already countless reports evidencing that this virus has levels of mortality similar, if not lower, to those of any standard influenza. There were previous campaings from the World Health Organization suggesting that the avian influenza virus would cause millions of deaths, which were proven boldly wrong. And in spite of that, here we are again, suffering a ridiculous media campaign to scare people about the new influenza A pandemic disease, so that they can justify huge expenses to (supposedly) protect the population.
It's time to say it loud: This is pure nonsense. The only way to understand all the noise is to have a look at the pharmaceutical companies producing the antivirals and the vaccines, and see the tremendous profit they are making these days.
The influence of large pharmaceutic companies on government and international institutions has always been big; but in this particular occasion, the spectacle is truly obscene, and the situation is absolutely pathetic: no data taken from the real world is supporting the uncountable measures being undertaken by governments to fight against influenza A; all we have is just another wave of influenza, like those suffered by humans along their whole story. But we are spending money against a supposed, inexistent menace as if there was not tomorrow. Many other diseases, both in and out the first world, are causing way more deaths every year than influenza A, and still receiving far less resources: Why?
I can only imagine an answer: because there are extremely powerful economic interests pushing to spread the fear from influenza A. ONLY because of that.
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