A little flu perspective

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The World Health Organization warned Wednesday that a swine flu pandemic is likely imminent. “It’s really all of humanity that’s under threat,” said Dr. Margaret Chan, the organization’s director general.

Perspective

Frightening though the risk may be, it’s also important to keep the numbers in perspective. Consider these risks and numbers:

Total number of laboratory-confirmed swine flu cases, as of noon Wednesday Central daylight time:

United States: 91.

Mexico: 26.

All other countries: 31.

Total laboratory-confirmed swine flu deaths: 8.

Annual seasonal flu deaths, U.S.: 36,000.

Shark attacks in U.S. waters, 2008: 59.

Annual deaths from food-borne illness, U.S.: 5,000.

Hospitalizations for food-borne illness: 325,000.