| Show Swine Flu concern explained by officials Why should we concern ourselves about a thing called swine flu The reason Is attributed to what health officials refer to as asa asa asa a major antigenic shift in the virus that causes influenza They explain that though the virus is constantly and gradually changing about every 10 years such a major change occurs that almost nobody has immunity to it and we have a major epidemic This type of antigenic shift appears to have taken place In Inthe Inthe inthe the influenza virus that caused an outbreak killing one and Infecting several hundred military recruits in Fort Dix New Jersey in February 1976 The virus causing it is similar to the strain that causes influenza in swine Authorities say that it has properties similar to the virus suspected of causing the deadly Spanish flu nu epidemic in 1918 that took a toll of half a million excess excess' deaths deaths' in the United States and 20 million around the w world An antigenic shift in the flu nu virus resulted in the 58 1957 Asian flu nu epidemic responsible for about excess excess deaths Another shift resulted in the Hong gong Kong flu nu epidemic in 69 1968 taking a toll of excess deaths and co costing ting the Nation nearly 4 billion Based on recommendations by non-federal non scientists in the Advisory Committee on Immunization Im Im- Immunization Practices and a special scientific board as well as governmental he health authorities President Ford decided it wise to go ahead with witha a massive immunization program in 1976 Congress appropriated million to carry it out The goal is to immunize the entire United States population of some million Americans against the new influenza strain That means giving an average of two million shots per day for days from late summer through November People are being asked to take part in receiving the Immunization immunization immunization im Im- im- im and in helping to organize and operate the programs in schools workplaces workplaces work work- places shopping centers wherever people eople meet Utah State University Ex x tension leaders and staff start members In the counties encourage encourage en en- courage people to become knowledgeable about Influenza and volunteer their help In the immunization campaign as It is requested by the public health officials under leadership in Utah of Craig Nicholas Utah tate State Division of Health The Center for Disease Control with the U U. S. S Department Department Depart Depart- ment of Health Education and Welfare Public Health Service Is spearheading the national Influenza Immunization program of 1976 Officials declare It is solidly based on scientific evidence and past experience with disease It is designed to protect every individual in in- individual against a potentially serious health threat before the time when flu normally strikes in late fall and winter The campaign is being carried out under the reasoning that it is better to have an immunization program without an epidemic than an epidemic without an Immunization program |
