A Little Perspective on Swine Flu

"In the long run, we're all dead."

— John Maynard Keynes

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.

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.

— Accidental poisoning deaths in 2004, U.S.: 23,618.

— Deaths from falls: 19,665.

— Estimated deaths from being uninsured, 2006: 22,000 to 27,000.

— Annual pneumonia deaths: 58,564.

— Motor vehicle accident deaths, 2004: 43,667.

— Diabetes deaths, 2004: 73,138.

- Estimated annual deaths from medical errors: 42,000 to 98,000.

Heart disease deaths, 2004: 652,486.

— Annual tobacco-related deaths, U.S.: 438,000.

— Alcohol-related deaths, 2004: 21,634.

— U.S. lightning strike fatalities, 2006: 47.

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