Oink.

Its pandemic panic time! And you know what that means – batter down the hatches, stock up on emergency supplies, invest in a shotgun and always aim for the head.

Sorry, wrong apocalypse. It looks like we officially have a real pandemic on our hands, the first proper one for 40 years. Now, while the only pandemics I like are the ones that are cute, eat bamboo and sleep all day, this current outbreak, the dreaded H1N1, or Swine Flu, bears a high state of mention, since the former rockband turned international health body the WHO have officially declared the virus a pandemic.

This virus has gone worldwide, and is spreading at a slow and steady rate as only a hardworking virus should. Fiji is no exception. Despite the best efforts of our government health officials, the virus has reached our shores via a tourist inbound from Australia, and has settled in quite well thank you very much.

As of this moment (28/6/09), 10 people are infected with the Swine Flu virus, with more predicted on the horizon. Not a pretty thought, the idea of the virus spreading in our own shores, but it’s a reality we all have to deal with.

And to help deal with that, Failed Paradise now has a fancy counter on the top right of the blog. This counter, imaginatively labeled the “Local Swine Flu Counter” will show the number of people infected in Fiji with the current date stamp at the bottom. The actual graphic itself is also a link to the appropriate Fiji Times article with the updated info on the number of people infected.

Having a heads up with big numbers is a handy method in reminding ourselves to remain vigilant, and not to let rumours and fear take over. Of course, numbers are a double sword, not in the least the very reason why fear is generated in the first place. But hey, its all about the facts.

And the Oink o’meter? Well I needed something to go along with the poker faced pig at the top.

Handy Links:
The signs and symptoms of H1N1 (besides porking out on food)
How to Prevent getting swine flu