I am happy to see that Influenza H1N1 (or as Michelle – who is an Epidemiologist – likes to call it, “Oink-Oink-Cough-Cough”), has taken a decline recently. Throughout the epidemic, some people have reacted rationally, others less rationally, but one thing is clear: it’s fantastic not to read about the impending economic implosion of the word and get back to some good old fashioned Biblical plagues.

The news has been going nuts about this thing, and the fact is, this flu has been around the block before and the U.S. even experienced a Swine Flu outbreak in The Most Awesome Year Ever, 1976. But, if you think this has been a poorly handled matter, I would like to call your attention to the Typhus Fever outbreak in El Paso, Texas, in 1917. Similarly to our recent Influenza H1N1 epidemic, Mexico was blamed for the outbreak. As Typhus is flea-born, the Public Health Strategy was to bathe all Mexican workers in kerosene before crossing the border from Mexico to Texas. What could go wrong? Well, for an “outbreak” totaling three cases, there was the unfortunate incident of one of the kerosene baths being ignited and killing or injuring between 50 and 60 people.

I, for one, am glad we’re not turning everyone with Swine Flu into a Molotov Cocktail, but I definately hope this kid gets what’s coming to him. Thanks to Lee for bringing this to our attention.