Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TZ

(42,998 posts)
Tue Jun 26, 2012, 08:05 AM Jun 2012

2009 swine flu outbreak was 15 times deadlier: study

(Reuters) - The swine flu pandemic of 2009 killed an estimated 284,500 people, some 15 times the number confirmed by laboratory tests at the time, according to a new study by an international group of scientists.

The study, published on Tuesday in the London-based journal Lancet Infectious Diseases, said the toll might have been even higher - as many as 579,000 people.

The original count, compiled by the World Health Organization, put the number at 18,500.

Those were only the deaths confirmed by lab testing, which the WHO itself warned was a gross underestimate because the deaths of people without access to the health system go uncounted, and because the virus is not always detectable after a victim dies.

The new study also shows the pandemic's impact varied widely by region, with 51 percent of swine flu deaths occurring in Africa and southeast Asia, which account for only 38 percent of the world's population.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/26/us-swineflu-idUSBRE85O1DF20120626
Next person who says H1N1 was overrated and the vaccine was a scam can go to hell. But of course since most of the deaths were in Africa and SE Asia they don't matter right?

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
2009 swine flu outbreak was 15 times deadlier: study (Original Post) TZ Jun 2012 OP
"But of course since most of the deaths were in Africa and SE Asia they don't matter right?" laconicsax Jun 2012 #1
For any passing trolls TZ Jun 2012 #2
Please post this in Health! Odin2005 Jun 2012 #3
I lost a friend in Germany during this Marrah_G Jun 2012 #4
. TZ Jun 2012 #5
Thanks Marrah_G Jun 2012 #6
 

laconicsax

(14,860 posts)
1. "But of course since most of the deaths were in Africa and SE Asia they don't matter right?"
Tue Jun 26, 2012, 03:03 PM
Jun 2012

That's just par for the course when dealing with anti-medicine conspiracy theorists

TZ

(42,998 posts)
2. For any passing trolls
Tue Jun 26, 2012, 03:43 PM
Jun 2012

I would also like to remind them that the avg yearly death rate from influenza is 36,000 world wide, so H1N1 is MUCH worse than regular flu.

Marrah_G

(28,581 posts)
6. Thanks
Reply to TZ (Reply #5)
Fri Jun 29, 2012, 04:10 PM
Jun 2012

People always like to say the avian and swine flu are no big deal, but it is. I think if we were not warned about it and there wasn't access to vaccines there probably would be a big pandemic.

It will be 3 years in September.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Skepticism, Science & Pseudoscience»2009 swine flu outbreak w...