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US Officials want the word 'swine' taken out of 'swine flu'
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by Amy Judd | April 28, 2009 at 04:47 pm
136 views | 25 Recommendations | 2 comments
US pork officials want the word 'swine' to be taken out of 'swine' flu and just want it to be referred to as the 'H1N1' virus, as they say that the new flu is affecting the pork business as there is a fear that people can contract the flu from eating pork, which is untrue.
"This is not a food-borne illness, virus. It is not correct to refer to it as swine flu because really that's not what this is about," Vilsack said.
Israel has already rejected the name swine flu, and opted to call it "Mexico flu." Jewish dietary laws forbid eating pork.
The World Health Organization are also against the name as the virus contains avain and human components as well.
US officials are stressing that pork is safe to eat and that imports to other contries need not be banned. The price of pork, soybean and corn have fallen in the last few days, and officials don't want it to fall anymore.
Even the Centre for Disease Control want 'swine' out of the name, as acting director Richard Besser says:
"That's not helpful to pork producers. That's not helpful to people who eat pork. It's not helpful to people who are wondering, how can they get this infection," Besser told a briefing.
For all Swine Flu news see our channel.
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jazzyzazzy
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Roy C
Vancouver, Washington, United States
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United StatesAnonymous user
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (2)
at 18:59 on April 28th, 2009
I wonder if that logic should be applied to "Japanese Flu" too? Or giving hurricanes names like Katrina?
at 02:54 on April 29th, 2009
First thing I thought was am no eating bacon again.