Reviewing Obama's first 100 days

IF WE'VE learned anything from the 100 days since US President Barack Obama's inauguration, it's that the man cannot walk on water. He is not divine.

In the wake of a Messianic campaign and historic Election Day victory, Obama faced enormous expectations when he took office January 20, as America's first black president.

In the US, there was even a vague hope that economic concerns and overseas woes would miraculously vanish overnight. They haven't. Global markets continue to slump and economic news remains grim. Nuclear aspirant North Korea has grown more defiant and the Taliban has strengthened its foothold in Pakistan.

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Swine flu: A result of mishandling of animals

THE WORLD Health Organisation has declared swine flu a public health emergency. Michael Greger, MD, Public Health and Animal Agriculture for The Humane Society of the United States, issued the following statement in reaction to the swine flu outbreaks:

“Breeding sows confined in crates so narrow they can’t even turn around produce lower levels of antibodies in response to experimental challenges. Measures as simple as providing straw bedding for pigs improves immune function, presumably by eliminating the immunosuppressive stress of lying on bare concrete for virtually their entire lives. This minimal act—providing straw— has been shown to decrease the risk of swine flu infection, which may play a role in the emergence of human influenza pandemics.

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Swine flu: Causes and cure

CLASSICAL SWINE fever (CSF), otherwise known as hog cholera (also sometimes called pig plague based on the German word Schweinepest), is a highly contagious disease that comes from pigs and wild boar. It is caused by Pestivirus, which belongs to the family Flaviviridae.

Swine fever causes fever, skinlesions, convulsions particularly in young animals and fatality within 15 days. The disease is endemic in much of Asia, Central and South America and parts of Europe and Africa. According to the reports of the United Kingdom Husbandry, it was eradicated in animals. This statement was also confirmed by the United States Animal Husbandry in 1978. The major symptom of this virus infection in pigs is the pinpoint hemorrhages on the kidneys.

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Shoe-hurling: The new expression of democracy?

MONTHS AGO, Muntadhar-al-Zaidi, an Iraqi journalist, took revenge on ex-American President George Bush in his own way. As Bush was speaking at a press conference, Zaidi rose from his seat abruptly and threw a shoe at the ex-president while shouting in Arabic, “This is a gift from the Iraqis; this is the farewell kiss, you dog!” Bush ducked deftly, and the shoe narrowly missed him. A few seconds later, the journalist tossed his other shoe, again with great force, this time shouting, “This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq!” Again, the shoe sailed over the ex-president’s head. Zaidi was subdued by a fellow journalist and then beaten by members of the ex-president’s security detail, who hauled him out of the room in his white socks. Zaidi was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment by the Iraqi court but the sentence was later reduced to one year.

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No vaccine for swine flu!

THERE ARE no hard answers but a consensus is emerging: The disease in Mexico has likely been around longer and infected more people than investigators can confirm.
Swine influenza or flu, is a contagious respiratory disease that affects pigs. It is caused by a virus similar to the type of flu virus that in various forms, infects people every year but is a strain typically found only in pigs -- or in people who have direct contact with pigs. There is no vaccine for the new disease and little natural immunity only.

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No Swine Flu case reported in India, checks in place

DESPITE RAISING the warning status of Swine Flu, a notch higher, the World Health Organisation on Thursday (April 30) said that India was fully prepared to meet the situation if there was any outbreak of the pandemic in the country.

WHO also said that no case of Swine Flu has been confirmed in the country. To prevent the outbreak of the dreaded flu, the Government meanwhile has taken quick action and surveillance teams have been set up at all major airports to screen incoming passengers.

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Swine flu inflicts psychological damage to Florida

THE INCREASE in the number of confirmed cases of swine flu has left people in Florida emptying stores of masks, gloves, soap, antibacterial hand washes, and disinfectant sprays.

At present, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website reports that there are 64 confirmed cases of swine flu. The states that are affected are Ohio, Texas, California, Kansas, and New York. The most affected area of New York has been New York City with 45 cases being reported.

Thailand, Nepal, the European Union, Russia, China and other countries have introduced measures to contain the growing threat.

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