Urban Update - Suburban Swine Flu Cripples Cannibal

“An exotic flu strain identified in Hong Kong appears to have crossed from pigs to humans, triggering memories of a global flu pandemic which killed 20 million people in 1918.” – BBC NEWS Online Network

I am sick as a dog. At first I was unsure who to blame for gifting me with this ever so pleasant illness that’s kept me under quarantine like the “Outbreak” monkey for the past 48 hours, until I did a little research on something called Streptococcus Suis or “Deadly Swine Flu”, and it all became so obvious.

The World Health Organization defines Streptococcus Suis as a species of bacterium found in many parts of the world where pigs are raised. It is most adapted to domesticated pigs. Predisposing factors are found in pigs reared in "suboptimal" conditions, for example poor housing with inadequate ventilation. This is compounded if pigs are raised under "intensive" conditions that can cause stress and subsequent immune suppression. The most important risk factor in acquiring the infection is contact with pigs or uncooked pig products. Prevention of the disease in humans depends upon control in pig populations. WHO recommends that pork should be cooked to reach an internal temperature of 70°C, or until the juices are clear rather than pink.

So, thanks Dark Pig for sharing your sickness with your long time people eating pal, perhaps next time we meet I should ensure that your “juices are clear rather than pink” before we go comic book shopping together. You bastard.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm back to my Neo-Citran & NyQuil induced coma.

iPod played "Aerosmith - Sick as a Dog" while posting