Jeremy Laurance: Let down by the reality of swine flu (Independent) Forgive me if this sounds callous, but I am finding it hard to conceal my disappointment about swine flu. For years I have been writing about the "next flu pandemic" and its potential to cause catastrophe, on the basis of what virologists told me. [News Source]

Playing chicken with a nightmare flu. So far, scientists haven't found proof that swine and bird flu are about to merge and spawn a deadlier virus. But the prospect is so chilling that health officials have been warning about it since earlier this year. [News Source]

H1N1 flu boosts sales of hand sanitizers. Concerns about the contagiousness and severity of the H1N1 flu strain have generated a boom in the hand-sanitizer market. Sales of gels and wipes have soared 71% to $118.4 million in the 24 weeks that ended Oct. 3 from $69.4 million in the same period a year earlier. [News Source]

Swine flu: the facts about pregnancy and vaccination. Why are so many expectant mothers still not persuaded by the benefits of vaccination against swine flu? Vaccination is not compulsory but it is strongly recommended for the country’s 500,000 pregnant women, and to help protect their babies. [News Source]

Back to the source (The Buffalo News) TIPTON, Iowa--It may be crowded and carpeted in manure, but the long white building beside State Route 38 is one of the most pathogen-free homes a pig could have. [News Source]

Full steam ahead for global voyagers (CBS 6 Richmond) Ethiopia’s rich archeological sites, such as the stelae in Aksum guarded for more than 30 years by Berhane Gebrewahid, above, make the African country a fascinating destination. [News Source]