Sorry for the repetition, but the new name for this virus appears to be 2009 H1N1. The reason

[Mike 03]

I think it is urgent to disseminate this is because it could save the lives of a lot of pigs, or at the very least, if they are killed for meat, it won't go to waste.

"2009 H1N1"

Thank you for reading this.

[Avalux]

1. Seriously? No one's going to say that. People are still going to call it swine flu.

:hi:

[Bluebear]

2. Thank you. >>>>>>

:)

[uppityperson]

3. HINI flu. Save the Hineys!

[LSparkle]

4. Why is this one "H1N1" and the bird flu was "H5N1"?

Is it that this virus is equal parts human and non-human
elements and the bird flu was mostly human with a bit
of bird virus thrown in? Just curious if the H/N have
anything to do with the "mixture" of the particular
virus.

[kestrel91316]

6. Here is a better explanation of the "H" and "N" than i could write:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza_hemagglutinin
"Subtypes
There are at least 16 different HA antigens. These subtypes are labeled H1 through H16. The last, H16, was discovered only recently on influenza A viruses isolated from black-headed gulls from Sweden and Norway.<2> The first three hemagglutinins, H1, H2, and H3, are found in human influenza viruses.
A highly pathogenic avian flu virus of H5N1 type has been found to infect humans at a low rate. It has been reported that single amino acid changes in this avian virus strain's type H5 hemagglutinin have been found in human patients that "can significantly alter receptor specificity of avian H5N1 viruses, providing them with an ability to bind to receptors optimal for human influenza viruses".<3><4> This finding seems to explain how an H5N1 virus that normally does not infect humans can mutate and become able to efficiently infect human cells. The hemagglutinin of the H5N1 virus has been associated with the high pathogenicity of this flu virus strain, apparently due to its ease of conversion to an active form by proteolysis.<5><6>"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuraminidase
"The most commonly known neuraminidase is the viral neuraminidase, a drug target for the prevention of influenza infection. The viral neuraminidases are frequently used as an antigenic determinants found on the surface of the Influenza virus."

[ejpoeta]

5. well, obama's agriculture guy, i think... can't remember his name

was on CNN and specifically told them that calling it swine flu is not appropriate because it is causing confusion and fear and made sure to tell them that this is NOT a food borne illness and pork products are perfectly safe. so they finish talking to him and go right on calling it swine flu. guess that's more catchy than h1n1. i just find it amazing.

[msongs]

7. name change just to make religious cultists happy. nice. nt