The latest viral outbreak sweeping the world has the media caught up in the debate over technical language versus common phrasing.
Late last week, we started hearing about problems in Mexico with something called swine flu. It's a virus with elements from swine, bird and humans that had never before been seen by health officials. By the weekend, cases started showing up in the U.S., including two in Dickinson County, Kansas. Health and emergency management officials started sounding the alarm about protecting yourself from swine flu.
But hold on! There is no evidence humans can catch this virus from swine and, in fact, there is no evidence of the virus at all in the U.S. swine population. Yet, some markets put bans on shipments of U.S. pork and Egypt went so far as to mass-slaughter its hogs.
Melissa raises some good questions on her blog. Might be good fodder for discussion on today's Steve Forman Show, 1-3pm on radiorichandlouann.com.
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