Those experts who are asserting that the concept that the swine influenza is less dangerous than the ordinary influenza viruses is misleading.
Many have looked at the number of deaths from swine flu compared to the approximately 36,000 US people that die of the normal influenza every year and decide the swine influenza isn't so bad. The swine influenza appeared at the end of the influenza season. Also it was toward the end of the college year, so many youngsters are now out of school.
Scientists are anxious that when we approach the standard influenza season the swine influenza will be a major threat.
Dr William Shaffner of Vanderbilt College stated in a chat with ABC News "All that early discussion about mildness should be modified as the information has evolved. It's not a harmless infection. We anticipate that whatever it does this summer, it's likely to be a major player in the fall, and when something this new and unpredictable shows up, we are well-advised to do our best to prepare for it."
The World Health Organization is about to move ahead with the development of the swine influenza vaccine but will establish at a later date whether to distribute it. The Southern Hemisphere is entering into it's yearly influenza season now as they approach winter. Professionals will be monitoring the situation really closely in those areas to better judge what is probably going to occur as the Northern Hemisphere enters into the influenza season this autumn.