(Thumbnail Image from Wikimedia)
Swine flu is bubbling back up in international news with different news outlets reporting on what the illness means for their part of the world.
From changes in church, to summer camp troubles to testing the world’s first vaccines we’ve got it all in a snapshot of media coverage from the around the globe.
In England 100,000 new cases of the virus were discovered just this week. Sky News points out that’s double what the country saw the week prior. It reports the country is tackling the influx with a unique helpline.
“There will be 1500 people manning the lines at any one time expecting to field 200,000 calls a day. If a caller is confirmed to have swine flu they’ll get an authorization number which their designated “flu friend” can use to pick up anti-viral drugs from the local collection point.”
For Christians around the world, the changes are obvious. Ana Olican of New Zealand’s TVNZ shares a snapshot of Catholic life down under.
“There’s no handshaking to show the sign of peace, no sharing the chalice. Communion must be placed in the hands rather than on the tongue, even masses for anointing the sick are on hold. “We need to play our bit in contributing to the safety, or the common good if you like of all people.” Father John Adams, Catholic Priest
The Telegraph says it’s the same for Anglicans in England and interestingly the changes are...
“...permitted under rules drawn up in the 16th century following the bubonic plague”.
In the Middle East, Al Jazeera English’s Rawya Rageh highlights how the swine flu has Egypt questioning whether to ban it’s Muslims from attending sacred pilgrimages.
“Several government bodies advising the Egyptian cabinet have said there will be no decision taken on imposing a ban on Hajj or Umrah the major and minor pilgrimages unless Saudi Arabia announces that swine flu could turn into a serious pandemic there. Other governments are contemplating tougher stances – Indonesia has already imposed a ban on all Umrah travel.”
Moving state-side, CBS Evening News’ medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton looks at how swine flu is taking the fun out of a favorite American past time.
“...H1NI or swine flu - now spreading through summer camps across America. At least 50 have reported outbreaks and the CDC is urging all camps to take precautions.”
And what does swine flu mean for Australia? Howard Gretton of Channel 7 has good news - the country is leading the world in the first human trials for a vaccine.
“It’s such a big deal and people are dying from it so I’m happy to help out.” --Chloe Gibbons, Vaccine Volunteer
"She’s one of 240 healthy adults taking part in a 7-week trial in Adelaide, early results are expected in weeks but mass production is months off. “We have a specific vaccine that we believe will be able to protect millions of people.” --Dr. Andrew Cuthbertson, CSL Chief Scientific Officer
What does swine flu mean to people in your part of the world? Is it keeping your kids at home, stifling religion or a source of pride?
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