Are you scared by the swine flu statistics in the region?

Are you scared by the swine flu statistics in the region?

The results are in.

August 16, 2009 2:38 by Dana El Baltaji

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest update report puts the global H1N1 virus death toll at 1,462, and the number of infected individuals at 177,457. The update was published on August 12, but it was based on cumulative totals as of August 6. The numbers, therefore, are out of date.

More significantly, however, the WHO notes that because governments are not longer obligated to disclose the number of swine flu related deaths and infections, the numbers are understated.

It is unsurprising, therefore, that a majority of Kipp’s readers, 39 percent, are taking precautions to avoid being infected by the virus. Some of the precautionary measures suggested by the WHO are washing your hands regularly, wearing a face mask and steering clear of people with obvious flu symptoms.

The rising death toll in Saudi Arabia may be prompting Kipp’s poll respondents to take precautions. On Thursday, the nation reported two more swine flu related deaths, bringing the national death toll to 11.

Well before Saudi’s death toll rose, however, Iran banned its citizens from travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform the umra pilgrimage during the holy month of Ramadan.

One would assume the rising death toll worldwide would alarm most individuals, but our poll proves otherwise; a staggering 38 percent of respondents claim the swine flu is no different to any other form of flu, and 20 percent said it is all media hype.

Meanwhile, 3 percent say they are wearing face masks to protect themselves from the sand and dust. Seriously?