A Flu Strain by Any Other Name is A Flu Strain: "Swine Flu" is Really the "AH1N1 Virus"

Given that the "Swine" Flu virus hasn't been isolated in samples taken from pigs in Mexico or anywhere else for that matter, the recent new strain of flu continues to raise alarms around the world.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although the virus in question seems to feature genetic sequences from swine influenza virus material, it also has elements of human and avian influenza genetic sequences as well.  Nevertheless, this misnomer is directly responsible for a significant drop in pork sales around the world. 

Janet Napolitano, the secretary for homeland security, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made a point at a recent press conference in Washington to refer to the virus by its scientific name: the "H1N1 virus." "This is not a food-borne illness; it is not correct to refer to it as swine flu because really that's not what this is about," Mr. Vilsack said. Pork producers will be happy with Mr. Vilsack's comment.

^{Source: NY Times  [Subscription may be required]}