As time has passed many different hypothesis have sprouted as to why there have been such devastation in Mexico, and not in the United States or Canada.
Most people see Swine Flu as a very real, serious threat; but, as this threat has continued for more then two weeks, it seems to not be as bad as previously thought for North Americans. Still there are many unanswered questions as to where Swine Flu will take Americans, but what is known right now is no American has yet to loose their life.
In Mexico a reported 158 people have already lost their lives to flu-like symptoms, seven of which have been unarguably caused by Swine Flu. Nineteen other patients have been diagnosed with Swine Flu but are surviving, and another 2,000 people are hospitalized with Swine Flu like symptoms. The Mexican government still does not know where or why this outbreak began, or spread.
As time has passed many different hypothesis have sprouted as to why there have been such devastation in Mexico, and not in the United States or Canada.
According to Howard Markel, a physician and director of the Center for the History of Medicine at the University of Michigan, “They (Mexico) may have had cases for now and probably have a greater number of people who have the disease, probably tens of thousands.” As well he stated that the death populous in Mexico could have had what he called “another co-factor,” such as underlying genetic conditions, pre-existing infections, or taking a certain medicine that could have acted with the Swine Flu.
As the death toll increases in Mexico, the confusion increases in the United States and Canada. For the past two weeks Americans and Canadians have discussed and worried over this Swine Flu “epidemic” from Mexico, but why? So far there have been 64 confirmed cases of Swine Flu, only five hospitalizations, and no deaths. As well with most of the cases no patients have even needed any form of treatment as the condition has just seemed to go away. With this knowledge, it seems like a waste of time for any North American to worry about Swine Flu.
Howard Markel seems to think a bit differently on the growing situation, “There may indeed be more cases in the United States. The snapshot we’re seeing in the United States may be an incomplete snapshot.” Rising awareness in North America that maybe the death toll just hasn’t come yet; the disease toll could be much higher than noticed, just like in Mexico.
As the outbreak continues to unfold, so will the investigations and worries. As CDC’s Roebuck simply put it, “We’re making every effort to truly understand this virus, but some of the reasons for what’s happening we may never figure out.”
