Swine Flu hits Peak in North America

According to global health officials, the H1N1 virus has appeared to hit a peak in Western Europe and parts of the U.S. Quest diagnostics analyzed 142,000 flu tests and found a decline in the virus since October 27th. The decline is much greater than expected this time of year, however, it doesn't mean the flu has completely gone away. The World Health Organization stated that countries in the east such as Norway, Georgia, Serbia, Afghanistan, and Israel, are all seeing sharp increases in the number of flu cases. Also the flu pandemic is known to hit several peaks, as in 1957, when flu cases surged in the autumn, then declined for a while, and surged again in January. Health officials are now looking to see if the H1N1 is mutating into a drug resistant form. In Wales there were 5 reported cases of people infected with H1N1 who were resistant to Tamiflu. However, 4 of the patients have other factors that affected their immune systems. Authorities are just hoping that this won't be like last years breakout of H1N1, which became resistant to Tamiflu.

Well it seems like Swine Flu is still a very serious problem in the world, but it is beginning to make small steps towards going away. Hopefully this decline continues, spreads to the Eastern countries as well, and authorities find some way to contain the drug resistant strain.
Here is the link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34066494/ns/health-cold_and_flu

is the Swine really going to effect the Hajj?

In an Article on NPR which can be found in the title link, Saudi Arabian health officials are afraid that the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca may have an unexpected visitor, Swine Flu. However, no one can/ will cancel this sacred event because it has been a solid tradition in the Muslim World for 1,430 years. What the doctors are admonishing is for people to get the H1N1 vaccine at least two weeks before the Mecca begins and for pregnant women and young children to stay clear of the Mecca this year because they are most likely at risk for catching the disease.
I am not surprised that Swine Flu was brought up as a viable threat to this religiously charged and historic event because people will be at an extremely close proximity to each other. As seen in my picture, all these people are practically breathing down each others necks. This is a cause for concern because Swine, like any other flu-like sickness, spreads through bodily interactions and exchanges from things such as coughing and sneezing.
I'm hoping that Swine Flu will not get in the way of the Mecca because it is part of the Five Pillars of Islam that every true Muslim must participate in at least once in their lifetime.