THE A(H1N1) strain of influenza. Meningitis. Leptospirosis. These are among the infectious diseases making headlines in Malaysia of late.
They’ve obviously struck fear in the health authorities and the public. Entry points to Malaysia are screened to detect travellers with flu-like symptoms, in an effort to keep the A(H1N1) bug at bay. Health alerts are disseminated and travellers advised to cancel trips to countries where there is an outbreak. Some folks even don masks when they’re in public places.
Precautionary measures are necessary. However, these infectious diseases seem to cause more alarm than the perennial dengue, which has already claimed 48 lives as of May this year. The rising incidence of other diseases such HIV/AIDS has also been making headlines for way longer.
Since infectious diseases are such a hot topic, other than politics, we’re inviting our visitors to share their six words on this. The infectious diseases don’t necessarily have to be of the microbial or viral variety.
(Source: shepherd.edu)
To start the ball rolling, here are some six words from The Nut Graph team.
Beware the plague of corruption, bigotry.
A pox be on the bigots!
Corruption, Umno’s number one infectious disease.
The wrong people are falling sick.
BN no cure. Pakatan virus mutating.
Doctor says: Optimism is best cure.
No one will be spared. Run!
Body, mind, soul — ultimate immunity needed.
Needed: An antidote to Malaysian apathy.
Extreme remedies appropriate for extreme diseases.
The natural method of population control.
Infectious diseases really make me sick.
Bugs are the new Al Qaeda.
At least germs can’t form government.
If only democracy were infectious, too.
A sign of misaligned human priorities.
Tapi pasal wabak AIDS senyap je?
Sexism, homophobia, racism — equally serious epidemics.
Innoculate Malaysia from corruption and tyranny!
Heard? That meningitis conspiracy theory? Typical. 
The Nut Graph‘s Six Words — infectious!
Inspired by Ernest Hemingway‘s genius, the Six Words On… section challenges readers to give us their comments about a current issue, contemporary personality or significant event in just six words. The idea is to get readers engaged in an issue that The Nut Graph identifies, while having fun and being creatively disciplined.
cure for the virus in perak?
alert! alert! duplicating virus in perak!
Vaccines save lives. Superstition kills babies.
Updating antivirus not just for computers…
Educate public servants on hygienic practices
Corruption is the most debilitating disease.
Nature’s way of balancing earth’s equilibrium.
The real killers: nobody’s worried about.
Civil disobedience is democracy’s latest symptom.
Mkini. Nut Graph. Malaysian Insider. Infectious
Ain’t no fever like corruption fever.
Some illnesses are caught by choice.
New Documentary: Corruption and its symptoms
Documentary (Con’t): Corruption and its cure
Whoever said bitter medicines are good?
Any politicking – symptom of inept governance.
Politics – The most catching disease of all.
feeling sick? you are not alone.
Acute Income Deficiency Syndrome; An epidemic
Aetiological agents for Corruption Syndrome identified!
The loose tongue syndrome attacks politicians!
The Theft Influenza, a growing concern
Rempit-itis: A new public health concern
Human rights under RELA virus attack
Poor pigs get blamed for everything
Taking politicians to court is infectious!
This is stupid. You call this journalism?
Editor’s note: This comment is not six words long, but it comments on the Six Words On… section. We’re letting it through in the interest of transparency.
Shanon Shah
Columns and Comments Editor
Politicking is a prime example. Achoo!
@starranise
Lighten up dude(tte?), this is fun :-p
Editor’s note: Mak then elaborates on his six-word response. We’re letting this through as well. Mak says:
Think of it as a game for the readers that challenges and educates. Participation is voluntary.
Perhaps you were not around when this whole thing started, hence your apprehension. May I recommend to The Nut Graph team to post a link on the origins of Six Words in future installments? It would help explain things for newcomers.
Editor’s note: Good suggestion, Mak. And as readers will note, I rarely approve comments which are not six words long – my ruthlessness is intentional. And we’ll see what we can do for the next edition of Six Words On…
Shanon Shah
Columns and Comments Editor
the deceased do not fear diseases
Here are comments on another comment:
Journalists and editors can’t have fun?
They’re human too, this section’s fun!
Cause life without laughter’s just pathetic.
So I believe it’s not stupid.
Whoever said journalism is serious always?
Let’s get back on topic please!
Fear of diseases spreads like wildfire.
Greed – the superbug of the soul.
Hey JAIS, leave them pigs alone.
Self declare now, get week’s break!
BN government, more virulent than H1N1.
Detention centre check-out requirement: leptospirosis infection
Politicians are not corrupt? Swine Flu!
Ignorance infects, knowledge will protect you.
Dissent an epidemic, Perak disastrous zone!
Will Perak be BN’s BLACK death?
Political epidemic: politicians paranoid, police OCD!
Blackness infects, white coffee not spared. (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=76346639997#/event.php?eid=93574000777)