NPR: Capitalist Pig Flu?

[cieldumort]

The folks here at NPR have been mapping the reported swine flu cases.

The cases seem to be concentrated in high GDP countries. Is this some virus that prefers rich people? The U.S., Canada, Germany, the UK?

Why none in Guatemala, right over the border from Mexico?

The likely answer: The virus doesn't prefer capitalists. People with

Comments

[secret_ninja]

Uh no, it's that people in those countries can afford to travel and have better access to things which facilitate international travel.

[rhonan]

While I think access to travel is the primary issue, I also think having more robust disease tracking is also a factor. I think that is also a factor in why it appears to be more virulent in Mexico. I would be surprised if outside of the middle class, most Mexicans with H1N1 are only seeing a Dr. when the sickness becomes sever enough to worry them.

[brittdreams]

I think the disease tracking is a key factor. I'm sure there are way more cases on swine flu than are reported because you have to have money and access to a doctor to get tested, and a doctor with the ability to do the test.

[peristaltor]

There's another possibility that's been hotly making the intertube rounds, that this variant might have sprung from a CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feed Operation). The thinking is that Mexico might have a couple of these intended for US export.

The third world generally raises pigs to eat scraps on the farm (as it should be), not thousands at a time in a dedicated mega-barn. The latter method is a great way to incubate the greatest variety of diseases in the smallest space.

(NOTE: The gene sequencing suggesting the connection is, last I read, incomplete and by no means conclusive.)