Swine flu fear 'out of proportion' - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

It seems the "experts" are starting to see the obvious.

From the ABC:

An infectious disease expert says fears about the spread of swine flu are out of proportion to the threat posed by the disease, and people who are not showing symptoms do not need to be quarantined.

The number of cases in Australia is approaching 90 today, but Australian National University microbiologist Peter Collignon says the virus is no worse than annual influenza strains.

"I don't actually think this particular strain appears from the data ... to be worse than what we do predictably see every year," he said.

"My major concern about what's happening is the fear is out of proportion to what the data shows."

Professor Collignon says swine flu will inevitably spread around Australia this year, but there is no need to be alarmed. "It is actually similar to what's been circulating for the last 90 years - it is a H1N1 strain which was first introduced around 1918," he said. "And more importantly in the US in particular if you're over the age of 35 or 40 you have a very slight chance of catching it.

"It's people who are younger because they don't have immunity from getting those natural infections that seem more susceptible.

"The good news is they're not getting seriously ill either."

Swine flu fear 'out of proportion' - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

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