‘Don’t call it swine flu’ says Israeli health ministerWITH the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico, we were taking bets in the pub last night as to which Islamic country would be the first to demand that the viral condition be renamed so that it would not offend Muslims.
Saudi Arabia was the first choice, with Pakistan weighing in as a close second.
Health Minister Litzman
But guess what? No-one thought of Israel.
Today Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman, holding a press conference to update the public on developments regarding the epidemic in Israel, recommended that it be called “Mexican flu” rather than “swine flu”.
According to this report, only two Israelis are believed to have contracted swine Mexican flu. Tomer Vajim, 26, was admitted to the Laniado Hospital in Netanya after returning from Mexico with signs of the viral infection.
A second man who returned from Mexico on Sunday was admitted to the Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba and put in isolation after exhibiting suspect symptoms, including fever and coughing.
April 27, 2009
There will be no 'swine' flu in Israel
Israel's deputy health minister Yakov Litzman, of the United Torah Judaism party, on the ultra-orthodox wing of Israeli politics, said at a press conference this morning: 'We will use the term Mexican flu in order not to have to pronounce the word swine.' Both AP and AFP are reporting the story. Although my own sources tell me that Litzman is out on a limb and will be ignored, I happen to agree with him, albeit for different reasons to his own. See the end of this post for why.
If the wider government in Israel takes him seriously, Israel's minority Muslim population will on this issue at least be united with the country's Jewish population as pork is banned by both. I am waiting to hear from UK Chief Rabbi's office about their view of the term.
The World Organisation for Animal Health also wants the disease renamed because it is not exclusive to pigs. Tradition with past such diseases means they are usually named after their area of origin. They want it called North American flu, which seems a bit unfair to Canada and the US.
This comes as two cases are now confirmed in Scotland with several people they came into contact with also developing symptoms. Canadian woman has just been admitted to hospital in Manchester, suspected to be suffering from swine flu, Israeli authorities are still waiting for the results of tests to determine whether a 26-year-old citizen who flew in from Mexico last Friday has the disease.
The Church of England is not commenting yet. I asked for a prayer from its rapid response prayer unit but none is forthcoming. They think it's no more serious, at present, than the avian flu scare. Surely though a prayer is the least they could do, even if for the stricken of Scotland, Spain, the US and Mexico, because from where I'm sitting, this has the potential to be quite a lot more serious.
Bird flu was, by and large, just caught from birds. Hence, 'bird' flu.
This one seems to be highly contagious between people.
Hence the Israelis, if they pursue this, might just have a point. More than 100 people have now died in Mexico, and that's just the official tally. It really should be called Mexican flu.
How long, I wonder, before people start weighing on on Revelation, plague and pestilence? No doubt I'll be able to bring you links to apocalyptic flu blogs very soon indeed. On top of the credit crunch and the rain, it really is all a bit much. I can't believe the Church of England doesn't think it worthy of comment.
The best place to keep track of what's going on with Mexican flu, though, is Twitter. Google Earth is tracking its progress, conspiracy theorists are making jokes and some even sincere suggestions about God's purpose in all of this.
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