The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is reporting that, as of
April 28, there have been 40 cases of swine flu in the United
States. The spread of this flu and the associated deaths in Mexico
have left Americans frightened and concerned. While these concerns
have led to calls to contain the outbreak by closing the border
with Mexico or instituting travel restrictions, a border-centric
strategy is not an effective solution for dealing with the swine
flu.
Instead, local health departments should focus on educating
Americans about common-sense precautions individuals can take to
lessen the likelihood they will be infected. Both Congress and the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should reinforce these
prudent measures rather than exacerbating fears and advocating less
effective measures.
A Cause for Concern
The swine flu is a viral respiratory infection that causes such
symptoms as cough, body aches, fever, and joint pain. In March
2009, an outbreak of swine flu was first detected in Mexico. A
month later, new cases appeared in Texas and California, followed
by a larger outbreak in Mexico, which has resulted in at least 149
deaths.
As of April 28, the flu had spread to multiple countries
including Canada, Spain, and New Zealand. Thus far, 40 Americans
have been confirmed to be infected with the swine flu, but all are
recovering and there have been no fatalities. While the flu is
suspected to have begun in Mexico, the origins of the flu have not
been conclusively determined.
The cases appearing in the United States have caused
considerable concern among U.S. citizens and government leaders,
especially given the high number of deaths of individuals affected
with the virus in Mexico. In response, the World Health
Organization (WHO) has designated the outbreak as a Level 4-meaning
that there is "sustained human-to-human transmission" of the swine
flu. DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano also issued a public health
emergency declaration (a standard procedure in these situations) to
ensure that resources could be given to health officials. The CDC
released one-fourth of the Strategic National Stockpile of
anti-viral medication as a precautionary measure.
While these are the appropriate actions to take given the number
of deadly infections in Mexico and the increasing cases worldwide,
more aggressive actions have also been suggested. In fact, several
Members of Congress have called for the U.S. to close its border
with Mexico, and many have suggested that travel restrictions are
appropriate.
Not a Border Solution
A border solution is wrong. First, doing so will not prevent
infected individuals from entering the United States. If someone
crossing the border is affected, they could appear "asymptomatic"
at the border or with symptoms virtually indistinguishable from
other flus and colds. Even the WHO has advised against the use of
travel restrictions for dealing with the swine flu, emphasizing
that such a measure would be ineffective.
Second, such measures would cause massive economic disruption. A
blockade at the U.S.-Mexican border would effectively halt the
North American supply chain. The southern border has 39 ports of
entry, through which hundreds of millions of people, trucks, and
cars pass each year. Mexico is America's third largest trading
partner, with most goods flowing through the southern border. Given
the current economic climate and the market's already skittish
reaction to the swine flu, closing the border would be a crippling
blow to commerce.
Finally, the flu has already gone "global"-hopes of restricting
the international spread of the disease are unrealistic.
Focus on Good Public Health
Policies
What the United States should be doing is focusing on good
public health policies. Such policies include a three-pronged
approach of:
- Treating those affected with the virus,
- Continuing to collect useable and timely information about the
flu, and
- Educating Americans on the proper means of preventing
transmission.
The origins of the flu strain have not been conclusively
determined. Also, doctors are puzzled as to why the Mexican
manifestations of the flu have been so deadly. Figuring out these
puzzles will help to control the problem further. In the meantime,
local health departments should communicate common-sense strategies
to Americans, such as washing hands frequently; keeping hands out
of eyes, nose, and ears; and, at the onset of flu-like symptoms,
not going to work but instead going to the doctor.
These steps will go a long way toward stopping the transmission
of the virus. Congress and the White House should use their
leadership roles to encourage Americans to take these precautions,
and they should continue to monitor the situation closely.
A Steady, Common-Sense Response
The United States should remain diligent in its efforts to
control the spread of swine flu. This will require a common-sense
approach, one reliant on the participation of all Americans to
ensure that more individuals do not get sick. Focusing on the
border, however, will not stop the spread of the flu-but it will
stop the economy.
Jena Baker McNeill is
Policy Analyst for Homeland Security in the Douglas and Sarah
Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies, a division of the
Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International
Studies, and James Jay
Carafano, Ph.D., is Assistant Director of the Davis Institute
and Senior Research Fellow for National Security and Homeland
Security in the Allison Center at The Heritage Foundation.