H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)

This evening, Indonesian TV stations have been reporting the news about 12 members of the Indonesia Elfa Musician Group have been infected by the Swine Flu (H1N1 virus) while they were visiting South Korea.

This news is very alarming because earlier Kompas reported the Swine Flu which is now called H1N1 virus has been spreading rapidly in Indonesia since last June. The Minister of Health Siti Fadila Supari was quoted as saying that as per 9 July 2009 52 persons were suspected to be infected by the virus. Whereas last month, there were only 28 persons suspected. The worst thing is that in Indonesia the virus has spread from one human being to another human being, in which 12 persons have been suspected.
Due to which fact, the Department of Health has installed Thermal Sensors equipments at the entrance gates of airports and seaports. Hospitals will provide Tamflu. Beside that, the Minister urged the public to practise healthy life by washing hands and wear mask whenever they catched flu.

Considering the above, I hope that the government will take necessary steps to prevent the H1N1 virus from spreading any further, by conducting strict check on anyone arriving from countries known to be sources of the virus, like Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, and stop importation of Pork.

Image:Courtesy of BK Marcus

The Conficker Worm

A deadly computer virus called the Conficker Worm (a.k.a Kudo, Downup & Downaup) surfaced in 2008, brutally attacking Civilian & Military targets around the world.

Detik reported that the virus has attacked the database of a French Navy jet fighter aircraft, making its computer system unable to download flight plans.
Law.com informed that the virus has forced the municipal court in Houston, USA, to shut down its operation last Friday.
Wikipedia mentioned that it has attacked the computer systems of the British Naval ships & submarines. Wikipedia quoted The New York Times which reported that Conficker had infected 9 million PCs by 22 January 2009, and The Guardian which estimated 3.5 million infected PCs. By 26 January 2009, an antivirus software vendor F-Secure reported that Conficker had infected more than 15 million computers, making it one of the most widespread infections in recent times. And in order to fight the virus from spreading any further, Microsoft has developed an antidote.

Considering the Conficker Worm has a big potential to destroy computer systems, I hope that its spread can be stopped immediately.