In the past 20-30 years, along with a rise in the world's population and increased capacity in science and technology, we have been able to  further track, monitor and study the spread of human disease. These advances have allowed us to combat such epidemics as Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Yet, in recent years the human exchange of goods and services across continental borders has led to an increased susceptibility to zoonotic diseases, mutation of common viral strains and the onslaught of pandemic flu. Swine flu is on its way to becoming an epidemic and as we try to identify the scope of this public health problem, we look at the origins and causes of the disease and its spread.

I saw a report today on CNN where people in Mexico were being asked where the disease came from. Many were saying that it came from Canada or the US, and one man said that we (the US) are always finding a way to blame it on Mexico. He said something to the effect of "if there's a jalapeno in the US that causes a disease outbreak, then it must be from Mexico." This is I think where the disparity lies. While we worry about a flu epidemic, we forget that millions of people in developing countries die from preventable diseases like Malaria, acute respiratory infections and cholera. We fret over a struggling US economy while 75% of the world lives on less than a dollar a day. As a human society, we are paying the price for global exploitation of ourselves and our natural environment for the production of goods and services. Anyone could list off the many economic development principles that have been driving the ignorance and oversight that we are left to see the results of today. The reality is that in this transition, a generational shift that everyone will see at least once in their lifetime, we can easily lose sight of what brought us here.



During a disease outbreak it is important for public health officials to monitor transmission of the disease, implement strategies and controls for preventing its spread and tracking confirmed cases, treatments and associated deaths. This must be translated to the public in a way that provides enough information to understand the scope of the problem, to know how to protect ourselves, without insighting chaos or hysteria.

If you are worried about contracting the flu, remember that it is treatable, it is not life threatening and we are lucky to be in a country where your likelihood of experiencing severe consequences is minimal. However, it may also be important to consider what brought us here today. The idea that we should be helping poor countries and those suffering around the world is not one of pity. Before we feel sorry for ourselves or others, we should consider, how to take a stand, not right wrongs, but move forward towards sustainable solutions withouht forgetting what leads us to trail behind in the fight for progress.