Worlds before swine

Ban Ki-Moons response to the outbreak of the swine flu virus as it affects an increasing number of countries is characteristically careful: It could be mild in its effect or potentially severe. Certainly,the outbreak is of grave concern; however,extreme alarm and paranoia are counter-productive as things stand. Mexico,the epicentre,is under lock-down; streets are empty,schools are closed and public spaces unoccupied. A hundred and fifty people have died and a further 2400 are sick.

As medicine frantically searches for answers,the worlds reaction should be both cautious and calculated. The WHO decision to increase the threat level of the disease is a welcomed move: this will enable the WHO to recommend that vaccine manufacturers increase the production and supply of the pandemic vaccine and abandon production of other non-essential vaccines. There has been some debate between the EU and US over travel restrictions to the US and Mexico. The US has called suggestions of travel bans hysterical and ineffective.

The critical point for India is that of cooperation among nations. A 2007 World Economic Forum report on global risk looked at the hypothetical scenario of combined liquidity crisis and pandemic; the outcome,it was deemed,would be a backlash against globalisation. It is precisely this backlash which should be avoided. Chinas abysmal track record with SARS and the secrecy around the disease displayed the ineffectiveness of the international system when it is left out of the loop. That the first swine flu death in Mexico occurred on April 13 and mucous samples did not reach the Centre for Diseases and Control in the US until after five days is worrying. The sooner available information is shared the better the chances of containment.