« Eskimo Pie: Derogatory Brand Naming? | Main | Jaffa Sweetie Brand Naming Not So Sweet in Iran »

April 28, 2009

Is the Swine Flu Name Offensive?

It turns out that the name "swine flu" is considered to be offensive by Israelis. The Deputy Health minister in Israel has said publicly that the use of the name is insulting to Muslims and Jews and has suggested it be renamed "Mexican Flu," given that the outbreak started in Mexico.

The Paris-Based World Organization for Animal Health, alongside irritated pork producers, has also said that the name is inaccurate, as it contains avian and human components and no pig has yet died from the disease, nor can you get the disease by eating pork.

They suggest that it be called "North American Influenza," following the naming scheme of "Spanish Influenza," which references the location of the initial cases.

It's a tricky problem. Obviously "swine flu" sounds very frightening (and thus is wonderful for newspaper headlines), because it seems to echo bird flu or avian influenza. Calling this North American Flu just does not have the same ring, because North America really already has its own flues.

There is just something more frightening about linking a dangerous flu to an animal. And of course, nobody who sees the pig as profane would like to be in danger of dying from a disease that bears its name.

I also might add that if the name does morph into Mexican Flu that we would start seeing protests from that region of the world.

Nonetheless, the name is not new: in 1976 there was a terrible outbreak of the swine flu at Fort Dix and predictions back then were dire indeed.

There is always the chance that the media may choose to use the virus' actual name in light of this controversy, but virus naming at the scientific level is extremely complex, so unfortunately we will all likely be washing our hands a few more times a day to elude the ________ flu.

Any suggestions?

Technorati Tags: Swine Flu, Mexican Flu, Virus Naming, Flu Names, Offensive Naming

Posted by William Lozito at April 28, 2009 8:08 AM
Posted to Health and Beauty | Naming

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.namedevelopment.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/4406