World on Swine Flu Alert

 
EcoWonk » Nathan Wolfe: A jungle search for the next pandemic virus TED TALKS

04.27.09

Associated Press Video: World rushes to contain swine flu
The world’s governments raced to avoid both a pandemic and global hysteria Sunday as more possible swine flu cases surfaced from Canada to New Zealand and the United States declared a public health emergency. (April 27)

Washington Post » U.S. Steps Up Alert as More Swine Flu Is Found

The United States declared a “public health emergency” yesterday as countries from New Zealand to Scotland investigated suspected cases of illness that they feared might be a strain of swine flu that has been identified in Mexico, the United States and Canada.”  This new flu strain, which is a dangerous combination of human, avian, and swine viruses, has infected over 1,000 people and killed at least 68.  Officials at the World Health Organization warn that this outbreak could become a global pandemic.

• “Swine flu outbreak linked to Smithfield factory farms.”  Tom Philpott makes the link between the outbreak’s origins and the world’s largest pork packer and hog producer.  [Grist]
• “Contagion on a Small Planet.”  Andy Revkin on how “an urbanizing planet  knitted by transportation is an extraordinarily welcoming world for infectious disease, particularly easily transmitted viruses like the flu.”  [Dot Earth-NY Times]
• Interactive timeline of swine flu outbreak. [The Guardian]

CBC News » Swine flu: FAQ

Huffington Post

David Kirby, Journalist » 

Mexican Lawmaker: Factory Farms Are “Breeding Grounds” of Swine Flu Pandemic

Swine Flu Outbreak — Nature Biting Back at Industrial Animal Production

Kerry Trueman, Co-founder of EatingLiberally.org »  Let’s Ask Marion Nestle: Who Needs Bioterrorism When We’ve Got Manure Lagoons?

Ben Sherwood, Author, Journalist, Founder and CEO of TheSurvivorsClub.org » Swine Flu Survival: The Science of a Single Sneeze (and Three Simple Ways to Protect Yourself)

Craig Crawford, CQPolitics.com blogger, MSNBC analyst »  Obama’s Swine Flu Challenge