NEWS > HEALTH > MEXICO EXPORTS SWINE FLU WORK TO UNITED STATES

MEXICO EXPORTS SWINE FLU WORK TO UNITED STATES

April 25 2009

Atlanta, GA – The debate over illegal immigration from Mexico has long been an argument that has vexed American politicians. That argument has become even louder as recent violence south of the border starts to cross into the United States. Now, with the sudden outbreak of the H1N1 swine flu influenza and its likely spread into the United States, many politicians are now scrambling to spin their criticism of a system that is renewing employment opportunities for virologists across the country.

While this newest outbreak has thus far only killed 20 people, though 68 are suspected and 1000 people are showing symptoms, the potential threat has excited virologists across the world, but particularly in the United States who have not had a significant pandemic in decades. Though not at that level yet, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization have declared concern over the outbreak. The Mexican government has shut down schools and public buildings and issued masks to all citizens. Many are hoping that is if this disease does spread significantly then the financial woes of many a virologist may be over.

“Virology is a strange business. In order to remain in business they put themselves
out of business. Meaning that every time a new disease arises virologists are tasked with resolving it, but of course once they resolve the disease they are out of work again. There are very few other business in the world that have in their nature the need to eliminate their reason for existence,” said Scrape TV Health analyst Rebecca Phelps. “That said when something does come up they are usually on top of their game which either indicates excellent training or a deceptively easy job. Either way, in this economy I’m sure most of them are just happy to be doing something, anything, to keep food on the table.”

There hasn’t been a major health outbreak since the 2003 outbreak of SARS. Various diseases have threatened – illnesses like West Nile and botulism outbreaks – but none have had the staying power of a major pandemic such as those on display in movies.

“There was huge excitement in the mid 1990’s with the all the talk about Ebola but that went for naught. Ebola and its related diseases are generally considered the biggest tease in virology. Small Micro-breaks here and there but no real staying power
or major incidents that would help keep the industry vital. The very mention of the name just causes scientists to roll their eyes,” continued Phelps. “Even HIV, as many people as that has killed and as high a profile disease as it is just doesn’t keep the excitement going. Its steady work, but not exciting work and most people would rather just move on to something more pressing and engaging.”

Not to be overlooked though is the transference of this disease from Mexico to the United States marking one of the few times since the beginning of NAFTA that Mexico has created employment in the United States.

“This disease has a lot of potential. People wearing masks, soldiers marching around with machine guns, states if emergency being declared across the country, these images have the real possibility of creating the kind of panic that accompanies movie style epidemics. If the disease does spread
rapidly and chaos accompanies it, American virologists could have years and years of

work ahead of them and they would have free trade to thank for that. A lot of politicians are going to have egg on their face if Mexico starts creating American jobs,” continued Phelps. “If things progress properly it won’t just be virologists who will benefit either. Police, military, doctors, morgues; all those industries could see a major lift if this disease takes off the way many are hoping it will, all because of free trade.”   

Reports indicate that President Obama recently met with a man in Mexico who died the next day with flu related symptoms. It’s not clear if he died of the swine flu nor if the President may have contracted the illness, though such an incident would likely raise the threat level and potential gross of the disease significantly.

Lauren Hebert, Health Correspondent

NEWS > HEALTH > MEXICO EXPORTS SWINE FLU WORK TO UNITED STATES