Swine flu victims more susceptible to lung damage - 12 Sep 2009  
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At a meeting of swine flu experts last week in Canada, it was reported that the swine flu virus is causing the often deadly acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) 100 times more frequently than seasonal flu.
In the past two months alone, 33 percent of hospitalized patients required treatment in intensive care with such conditions.

A rise in this rate is feared as a second wave in the northern hemisphere is now anticipated. Researchers at the Imperial College of London in the UK explain that unlike seasonal flu, the swine flu virus is able to directly inflict cells deep in the lungs, thus causing more damage.

A random viral mutation, the scientists further warned, could lead to an even more strongly attacking strain.
Globally, swine flu fatalities have jumped to 3,593, with total cases now deemed by international health officials as being too many to track.

At the national level, Iran has confirmed 357 swine flu cases. Malawi joined the list of afflicted African countries with her first officially confirmed case. Meanwhile, Israel reported the first case of a patient who showed
resistance to the antiviral medicine Tamiflu.

In Scotland, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon announced plans for doubling hospital beds to nearly 400, to accommodate the children and adults suffering from severe cases of the swine flu.
Hospitalizations have also climbed steeply in Formosa (Taiwan), where as many as 13 patients were hospitalized in one day, bringing the number of such seriously ill to 174.

Our gratitude, international officials and researchers for your efforts to understand and mitigate the swine flu virus’ impact. As a global population, let us all protect ourselves through the virtuous and wholesome safety of the plant-based diet.

Reference
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