Op-Ed: Both media, UN can’t read own copy on swine flu mutation deaths

The H1N1 virus has been showing signs of mutation and resistance to the Tamiflu medication. This is a new twist in a picture that’s been getting fuzzier.

Swine flu is known to have adaptive capabilities, and the possibility for mutation to a more deadly strain has been the worry from day one. Deaths in Norway are variously considered isolated events as results of “spontaneous mutations”. Current information is that the mutation doesn’t spread easily, and causes a more severe disease. How one disease causes another wasn’t explained. Of more concern is the fact that resistance to medication is being observed. The resistant forms of the virus are also causing more severe symptoms. Not everybody agrees with the “ no problem” view of the mutations. One expert is quoted as saying that the observed mutations are unlikely to be specific to Norway. A cursory scan of headlines found evidence of mutations in other regions. What a surprise. Bloomberg:

Swine flu, also known as H1N1, infected about 22 million people in the U.S. and killed 3,900 people from April to Oct. 17, according to the CDC’s most recent estimate. Norway has had an estimated 700,000 infections, with 21 reported deaths. The disease has killed at least 6,770 people worldwide, according to an estimate today from the Geneva-based WHO. The agency no longer keeps an up-to-date count of global cases.

That’s not bad for round one of a disease. No doubt it will hold a committee meeting and workshops next season, and try harder. Speaking of diseases, the disease of “modern” information reporting also seems to be doing nicely. Bloomberg's slightly fragmented updates are about as good as the coverage gets. Most media are quoting much the same data and sources. If you were looking for a live reenactment of the Dark Ages, you’re in luck. The WHO is apparently resting nicely, from Bloomberg's information. This is the sort of typical UN cultural inspiration and dedication that’s made Dafur such a feelgood experience for the world. Good to know that the UN’s flagship health agency doesn’t feel any particular need to monitor a global epidemic which has been infecting huge numbers daily. They’ll probably feel better after a nice nap, milk and cookies. When would be a convenient time to monitor, I wonder? Do diseases do their own audits now? Or is the world funding the UN for the privilege of doing epidemiological crossword puzzles? Associated Press didn’t feel obliged to provide any detailed information in its own postage stamp of a coverage. AFP did a bit better, adding one useful bit of information proving that mainstream news media isn’t a dinosaur and may be on solid foods and wearing underwear any decade now. Having quoted the WHO as giving the figure of 6750 deaths, AFP added:

The WHO estimates that some 250,000 to 500,000 people die every year from standard seasonal variants of swine flu.

So there’s no problem, no mutations, (which is another description of variants), and about half a million people are dying annually of them, whatever they are. Call me pedantic, but there's some sort of conceptual difference between "stray mutations" and 6700+ plus people and annual deaths of half a million people or so from "variations", isn't there? Unless someone's claiming that strains described as coming from a different form of a disease aren't mutations? It’s like a comprehension test with failure as the only option. Do these guys notice when they publish contradictory information or not? Or do the bylines and salaries come with special prizes for extremely witty inclusions in copy? Or is the idea to come up with meaningless statements and sell them to apathetic media sources? I keep trying to think of an example of any situation in history where such total ineptitude is the expected standard of response to major issues. Even Canute recognized a flood when he saw one. Somebody noticed the Great Fire of London, and had the idea of putting it out. Stay tuned for the next round of non-information, folks, when someone can be bothered to read their copy.