So I've been wondering, not much has been established about the Swine Flu, canonically speaking. There is nothing saying the disease isn't long-lasting, and therefore it could still be around in the 23rd century. And since Abrams and his cohorts are saying they'd like to bring in new fans, this could be a perfect way to do so, tie it into actual news. Have a scene where Kirk and Spock enter an alien night club in search of Nero. While they're looking around, they pass by a Tellarite suffering from the Swine Flu. You know what would make this scene even better? Have the Tellarite wearing a sombrero. The potential is awe-inspiringly awesome. Or perhaps this should be saved for Trek XII. Maybe an epidemic of Space Swine Flu is sweeping Tellar or something. Discuss.
Maybe an entire ship is infected...the U.S.S. Zapata or something...its supposed to have a crew capacity of 300, but there's like 900 of them crammed in there?
You know if Abrams really wanted to keep things relevant, he could have the Federation President, Barack H. Obama VIII, order the Enterprise to fly around Starfleet Academy, scare the crap out of the cadets, and then claim it was all for a photo op!
Swine Flu should not be in his movie, but should be included in Pigs In Space:TMP or I'm boycotting!!
Kermit the Frog: "Your father was captain of the Swine Trek for twelve minutes. He saved eight hundred lives, including Miss Piggy and Dr. Strangepork. I dare you to do better."
Actually, the story of swine flu "outbreak" in the 1970s - where the vaccine killed more than swine flu - would make a fascinating movie on its own. There aren't nearly enough disease movies.