One such potential new risk factor is obesity. An early study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control suggested it may be contributing to poor outcomes in people who contract the new H1N1. The WHO is concerned about that possibility. "Obesity is now a huge global problem," says Dr. Nikki Shindo, an expert with the WHO's global influenza program. "And if obesity is a risk factor, then I would be very much worried about some of the populations that are living with obese conditions."
I would guess WHO is concerned about those with Gross Obesity.
The Article confirms that doctors believe that H1N1 strikes those hardest with underlying conditions.
Now we get into the question of what constitutes a significant underlying condition. People all over the world, not just the older crowd, have underlying conditions which they live every day with and do not necessarily consider debilitating to the point where they are not functional. Are those conditions significant in this context?
Note, too that the normal profile of flu victims includes those 50 and older, (the very young and the elderly, and those with respiratory and or immune disorders, including transplant patients who have to suppress immune responses to avoid organ rejection).
It is the unusual age profile which tripped a flag with many who are watching this disease, along with the 'off season' appearance of the disease, both of which are similar to the other pandemic flu outbreaks in the last 100 years.
Whether this particular strain and its recombinants prove as deadly remains to be seen.
It may be statistically insignificant, or far worse.
Keep in mind that remiaining healthy is an important part of the picture if this does produce a high mortality pandemic, the rest is dealing with the breakdown in 'on time' inventory systems and critical infrastructure which might occur in the event of widespread serious illness. In the absence of being able to predict the future, being prepared for mild disruptions in supply and services might be prudent.
HMMMM?? Everything else I’ve read about H1N1 said that being younger and healthier they thought had something to do with the deaths and the way the immune system will attack the body of the victim. That underlying health isues had nothing to do with who was dying? Primarily the deaths have been in the 12-40yo age group. I wish they would get together and get the story reported as one!