The outbreak of swine flu should be renamed "Mexican" influenza in deference to Muslim and Jewish sensitivities over pork, according to an Israeli health official.
Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman said the reference to pigs is offensive to both religions and "we should call this Mexican flu and not swine flu," he told a news conference Monday at a hospital in central Israel.
Both Judaism and Islam consider pigs unclean and forbid the eating of pork products.
Scientists are unsure where the new swine flu virus originally emerged, though it was identified first in the United States. They say there is nothing about the virus that makes it "Mexican" and worry such a label would be stigmatizing.
Israel's Health Ministry on Tuesday confirmed the region's first swine flu case. The 26-year-old patient recently returned from Mexico, where he had contracted it. An official in the city of Netanya said the patient had recovered, but will remain hospitalized until the health ministry approves his release.
More than 150 people in Mexico have died after contracting the current strain of swine flu.
Laboratories in the U.S. and Canada have confirmed that of the samples tested so far, the swine flu virus in Mexico and U.S. appear to be the same.
Source: MSNBC
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
‘Timing of GHALCA Top 4 worrisome’ – Didi Dramani
14 minutes -
Absa Bank introduces Agency Banking to boost financial access
23 minutes -
Galamsey threats could trigger Ghana energy blackout
52 minutes -
We cannot give Quarterly Timetable for disbursement — DACF Administrator
1 hour -
World Public Assembly to spotlight peacekeeping in a multipolar world
1 hour -
World writers to convene in Moscow for second WOW congress
1 hour -
Experts to spotlight spiritual and cultural values at World Public Assembly in Russia
2 hours -
Today’s Front pages: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
2 hours -
Tullow is sowing seeds of change in Ghana’s Agric sector
3 hours -
CDS presents promotions and benefits to families of helicopter crash victims
3 hours -
Albert Amekudzi: A bleeding nation with no conscience, values and morals
3 hours -
GTA boss becomes first recipient of GH¢150,000 Ghana Gold Pendant
4 hours -
King Mohammed VI orrders additional humanitarian aid to Gaza
4 hours -
Kremlin plays down Zelensky talks as Trump warns Putin may not want to make deal
4 hours -
Mahama touts ‘Big Push’ agenda, urges Japan to invest in energy, agribusiness and manufacturing
4 hours