Swine Flu Resources

I suspect that Swine Flu is likely to be a common research question for reference departments around the world during the foreseeable future.  I have had an interest in the 1918 influenza epidemic pandemic for several years, and have spent some time this weekend keeping an eye on various resources.

Several good places to start:

Recognize that there will be a great deal of information pouring through various media, much of it guesswork and possibly incorrect.  Remember that the greatest strength of libraries is our offering not only unfettered access to information, but assisting users in using that information critically.

To illustrate this, I am also linking to one of the best articles I have read on the 1918 influenza pandemic, easily the worst outbreak in modern history:   The Site of origin of the 1918 influenza pandemic and its public health implications.  It details research into the origins of the outbreak, and makes a very strong case for the original location.  Note, however, that even though this was published over five years ago, most histories (including the Wikipedia link earlier in this paragraph) either ignore it or continue with various misconceptions based on incomplete research.

The lesson: encourage thoroughness and critical thinking in research, and recognize that many can and do get it wrong (but many can and do get it right, as well).

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2 Responses to Swine Flu Resources

  1. Rick Mason says:

    ResourceShelf has posted some very good links to resources on Swine Flu:

    http://www.resourceshelf.com/2009/04/27/resources-of-the-week-swine-flu/

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