But stop and think: This was a new disease, against which humans have no immunity or resistence. Indeed, current reports are that it does spread quite easily among humans. And, as usual with the flu, it is spreading fastest among young healthy adults. However, different from most normal flu cases, those who are dying are young adults as well. Normally, those who die from the flu (usually flu-induced pnuemonia), are young children and elderly adults. So far, the mortality rate is far lower than first feared which is a good thing.

The key to remember is that this “event” is not yet over and won’t be for a year or two. It takes that long to see if it will turn out to be an awful event (like 1918) or a false alarm (like 1976). Flu comes in waves, generally in the Spring and Fall.

In the meantime, there are 41 confirmed, tested cases of H1N1 in the Yucatan. (Diario, May 17, 09) New York City has 186 confirmed, tested cases and New York State has 259. (AP, May 18, 09) In a normal winter, 1000 people may die of “normal” flu in NYC. (NYT, May 18, 09) The USA has 4,700 confirmed, tested cases and estimates are as high as 100,000 infected yesterday.

The World Health Organization says (Sat May 16, 09) there are 8,451 confirmed, tested cases in 36 countries. Only 72 people have died, world-wide so far. The actual circulation of the virus is likely to be thousands of times higher and has been very mild, so far, in most people. The UK has 101 confirmed cases.

So, this strain of influenza spreads fast everywhere and IS everywhere. Mexico was first to detect and report the influenza and deserves credit for their openness and honesty in disclosing to the world what they had found. But there is little reason to avoid travel, vacations, etc. There are more cases in Texas or California or New York or the UK than in the Yucatan.

Practice common precautions like washing your hands and keeping your fingers out of your eyes, nose and mouth.

Go about your business. Enjoy life.