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#2321
05-03-2009, 07:12 PM
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#2322
05-03-2009, 07:14 PM
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Interesting comments on the pig-human connection.
From: http://www2.canada.com/health/cases+...tml?id=1559511 "Flu cases jump to 101 in Canada Philip Ling and Tiffany Crawford, With files from Reuters, Linda Nguyen and Sharon Kirkey Published: Sunday, May 03, 2009 HONG KONG - The World Health Organization cautioned people on Sunday to avoid unnecessary contact with animals sick with the A H1N1 virus, while an infectious disease expert in Hong Kong warned the risk of a swine flu pandemic has dramatically increased, after more than 200 pigs on a central Alberta hog farm were found infected with human swine flu on the weekend. Meanwhile Sunday Canada reported 16 new cases of swine flu, bringing its total to 101. It's believed the Alberta case is first time anywhere in the world the new H1N1 influenza A virus has been found in pigs. The discovery had experts weighing in Sunday on what, if any, measures should be taken now that the virus has spread to animal herds. There were reports early Sunday that China had banned the import of pork from Alberta. But Sunday afternoon, the executive director of Alberta Pork Producers Development Corporation said those reports were incorrect, "I just got off a Canadian Food Inspection Agency-led conference call for industry, and they were aware of the story circulating, but they say it is not true," Hodgman said Sunday. "No ban has taken place officially." On Sunday, a WHO official agreed the consumption of pork is safe and said there are no plans to put down any of the infected animals. "At present there is no recommendation for culling," said Dr. Peter Ben Embarek, adding WHO officials will look into whether more control measures are needed to protect human health. As of Sunday morning, the number of cases worldwide had climbed to 786. Canadian officials said consumers should not be concerned about the virus entering the food chain. "We have determined that the virus, H1N1 influenza A, found in these pigs, is the virus which is being tracked in the human population," Dr. Brian Evans, executive vice-president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Canada's chief veterinary officer, told reporters. "The chance that these pigs could transfer the virus to a person is remote. Nevertheless, we are following an appropriately measured approach," Evans said, stressing there is "no food-safety concern related to this finding. Consumption of pork is not considered a route of transmission to humans." Although he says the food is safe, Dr. Ho Pak-leung, associate professor at University of Hong Kong's microbiology department, is concerned the transmission of the flu virus from humans to pigs indicates a new medium of transmission for the virus. Ho says he believes this H1N1 flu virus will become increasingly difficult to control if more pigs are infected by this human swine flu virus. There's also a high risk the virus can mutate inside infected pigs, creating new strains of the animal flu, he said. The transfer of a flu virus from humans to pigs is not unheard of, he says, pointing out the influenza viruses of the Hong Kong flu pandemic also transferred from humans to pigs, and vice versa. That pandemic killed nearly one million people in 1968 and 1969. "Once the human virus is transmitted to pigs, anyone that comes in contact with infected pigs will have chance of contracting this (H1N1) virus," he says. There's also a high risk the virus can mutate inside infected pigs, Ho adds, creating new strains of the animal flu. "A single pig can be infected with different influenza viruses," he says. "So, there's a chance that the genes of the influenza virus may ‘shuffle' inside the pigs . . . forming a new virus." However, Ho stresses that pork products are safe to eat, since the H1N1 disease cannot be contracted from eating cooked pork, as the flu virus is killed at temperatures of 70 C. So far, the Philippines, El Salvador, Honduras and Ukraine have stopped accepting Canadian pork since the H1N1 cases were identified in Canada, while South Korea is not accepting live hogs. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz urged Canada's trading partners to make decisions based on "sound science," not emotion. On Wednesday, Egypt ordered a nationwide pig slaughter as a precaution against swine flu. Ritz said he spoke to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to make him aware of the situation. "He has assured me that Canadian hog producers will continue to have access to the American market," Ritz said in a statement. "We will continue to work with our American partners as we deal with this issue." Federal officials believe the infected pigs contracted the virus from a Canadian worker who returned from Mexico on April 12 and arrived on the farm two days later, showing flu symptoms shortly thereafter. One other person on the farm has had mild symptoms. Officials are awaiting test results. Both the worker and the approximately 220 infected pigs are recovering, but the animals have been quarantined, Evans said. Meanwhile, 34 new human cases of swine flu were confirmed Saturday, plus 16 on Sunday, including Manitoba's first, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Canada to 101. "We continue to see mild cases and full recovery in Canada, but our vigilance and efforts need to continue, and our heightened surveillance will lead to more and more confirmed cases," Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, said. He said the risk to most Canadians remains low. Most of the new cases come from Nova Scotia, where 17 were reported. Seven more were from B.C., another seven were from Alberta, plus four in Ontario, and one in Quebec. In the U.S., a health official with the Centers for Disease Control told a news conference Sunday doctors believe the virus is widespread among young people but that "most of those people are recovering." "I don't think we're out of the woods yet," said Dr. Anne Schuchat. "I do expect more deaths and I am particularly concerned about what is going to happen in the fall." The CDC has reported 226 cases of the new H1N1 swine flu virus and one death in 30 states. Nova Scotia's chief public health officer said that, of the province's 17 new cases reported Saturday, six have no connection with a private boarding school that recently sent a music class to Mexico. In all cases in the province prior to Saturday, all had a link to King's-Edgehill School in Windsor, N.S. Dr. Robert Strang said provincial health officials have been on alert for the swine flu to spread outside of the school. All the patients are experiencing mild symptoms. Quebec revealed Saturday it has a second case, a child whose family returned last week from a vacation in Mexico, the country where the outbreak began. On Sunday, Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said the country's H1N1 flu virus epidemic had passed its peak and was now declining. "The evolution of the epidemic is now in its phase of descent," Cordova told a news conference, adding that the outbreak appeared to have peaked in Mexico between April 23 and 28. The WHO says it has not seen a sustained spread of the swine flu virus outside North America, but that a pandemic was still "imminent." Health officials continue to remind the public that the seasonal flu is also responsible for making thousands of people sick and for killing an average of 4,000 Canadians every year. Normally, fewer than 0.1 per cent of people with influenza die, if they have no underlying medical conditions. With files from Reuters, Linda Nguyen and Sharon Kirkey, Canwest News Service, Jason Markusoff Edmonton Journal"
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"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them" - Jefferson "We have a Bill of Rights. What we need is a Bill of Responsibility." - Bill Maher
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#2323
05-03-2009, 07:18 PM
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I've made note of it consistently while updating, just haven't had a chance to post it. Additionally, the CDC said that 99% of probable cases confirm (that's the states that are following their definitions and protocols for definitions I am assuming) -- However, in WI in particular (I'm sure it must be true of other states) NE Counties were being limited to how many probable cases they could submit per day, 2.
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#2324
05-03-2009, 07:25 PM
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I think it's mostly because of states beginning to test their own. I expect to see a big uptick in numbers over the next couple of days.
__________________
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them" - Jefferson "We have a Bill of Rights. What we need is a Bill of Responsibility." - Bill Maher
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#2325
05-03-2009, 07:39 PM
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Their symptoms: Severe raw, sore throat High fever Severe fatigue Coughing so hard they almost threw up Hard to breathe when laying down Can't sleep from the coughing and choking Last edited by lafrteacher; 05-03-2009 at 07:51 PM.
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#2326
05-03-2009, 07:48 PM
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This is the first "social distancing" thing that I've seen that isn't about schools or prisons.
From: http://www.fortbendnow.com/2009/05/03/37565 " Fort Bend Jury Duty Calls Canceled Due To Swine Flu Outbreak May 3rd, 2009 | by John Pape | Published in News Fort Bend County residents called for jury duty on May 5 do not have to appear for possible jury service. 240th District Court Judge Thomas R. Culver has asked the district clerk’s office to notify all people called for jury duty not to appear due to the recent swine flu outbreak. Culver, who also serves as administrative judge and Fort Bend County jury management judge, said those who were called will receive a new jury summons for a future date. “Due to the apparent progression of H1N1 (swine) influenza infections throughout various sections of Fort Bend County, the risk of exposure within such a large gathering of citizens in the jury assembly room has to be acknowledged”, Culver said. Currently, eight of the 10 trial courts in Fort Bend County have jury trials scheduled for next Tuesday. Culver stressed that, at this time, no court dockets for the coming week have been canceled. Whether or not a given court’s docket is postponed next week is a decision that will be made by the judge of that specific court. All attorneys and litigants are required to be present, unless notified otherwise by the judge of their assigned court. As the week develops, any need for future postponements will be assessed on a daily basis. Should additional postponements be necessary, Culver will give those notices as soon as practicable. “Obviously, the public safety is paramount as we monitor this health issue,” Culver said."
__________________
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them" - Jefferson "We have a Bill of Rights. What we need is a Bill of Responsibility." - Bill Maher
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#2327
05-03-2009, 07:50 PM
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Pretty good list of who is doing what where.
From: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N03548930.htm "FACTBOX-Measures in North, South America against flu 04 May 2009 00:01:03 GMT Source: Reuters May 3 (Reuters) - Governments across North and South America have taken measures to avert a pandemic as the new swine flu virus spreads from Mexico, where up to 101 people have died. MEXICO * The government urged Mexicans to stay home for a five-day partial shutdown of the economy through May 5. Essential private sector services were asked to stay open, including transport and health services, markets, grocers, pharmacies, telecommunications and media. Ports, airports and roads will not be closed. Police and army continue on duty. * All schools closed until May 6. Gyms, churches and many restaurants were already closed. * Emergency decree granted the government power to isolate sick people, enter homes or workplaces and regulate air, sea and land transportation to try to stop further infection. UNITED STATES * Declared a public health emergency. President Barack Obama said it was a "precautionary tool" that would give health officials resources needed to respond quickly and effectively. * Distributing one quarter of a U.S. government stockpile of 50 million courses of an antiviral treatment to states. * U.S. will spend $251 million to buy 13 million more courses of flu medicine to replenish stockpile, and began sending 400,000 doses of treatment to Mexico. * Obama asked Congress for $1.5 billion, if needed, to buy additional antivirals, emergency equipment and develop vaccine. * The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was sending out testing kits to U.S. states that will allow individual state labs to confirm their own cases of swine flu. * The CDC recommended schools with confirmed cases close for two weeks. Anyone with symptoms was urged to stay at home. Businesses urged to offer liberal sick leave. * Washington advised Americans to avoid "non-essential" trips to Mexico and announced steps to release some of the U.S. stockpiles of the anti-flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. * Officials said they were not testing air travelers from Mexico for the virus but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was preparing a "yellow card" for travelers explaining flu symptoms and precautions to take. * Several major U.S. airlines were allowing customers to change travel plans to Mexico without any fee or penalty. Continental Airlines Inc will temporarily cut service to Mexico by 50 percent, citing reduced demand. Carnival Cruise Lines canceled Mexico port visits for 16 ships through May 11. CANADA * Advised against non-essential travel to Mexico. * Two major airlines, Air Canada and WestJet Airlines Ltd, said they would temporarily suspend flights to Mexican resorts starting next week. * Increased surveillance for possible new cases and urged people to take precautions like frequent hand washing. * Government to provide extra health funding if needed, but for the time being it is just monitoring the situation. * Launched public awareness campaign advising how to avoid catching flu. CUBA * Suspended all flights from Mexico for 48 hours and is tracing everyone who arrived from Mexico in past two weeks to ensure they are not ill, visiting them in homes and hotels to conduct checks. All travelers from Mexico will now be checked for up to two weeks after their arrival. PERU * Suspended all flights to and from Mexico. All passengers arriving by air and by sea going through rigorous screening. COLOMBIA * Declared a disaster situation as a preventive measure to provide funds for increased monitoring of possible cases and clear the way for purchases of medicines and surgical masks. * Advised people to suspend trips to Mexico, California and Texas, tightened measures at main airports, ports and hospitals. * Colombian President Alvaro Uribe urged Colombians with flu symptoms to seek treatment initially at home and said schoolchildren with signs of influenza should be kept away from class, though schools and universities would remain open. * Health officials in Bogota banned Mexican soccer teams San Luis and Chivas de Guadalajara from playing Libertadores Cup matches in the city's stadium. ECUADOR * Ecuador barred foreigners who have been in Mexico from arriving in the country on commercial flights and also suspended charter flights to and from Mexico. * Ecuador also banned flights to Colombia from smaller regional airports near the border as a precaution. Flights to Colombia from its two major airports in the capital Quito and Guayaquil will continue normally, health officials said. * Banned imports of pigs and pork products from the United States and Mexico as a precaution. VENEZUELA * Recommended people avoid travel to Mexico and the United States and stepped up sanitary control at airports. ARGENTINA * Maintains suspension of direct flights from Mexico, but maintained flights to Mexico. Installed heat sensors at main airport to track passengers for signs of the flu. Authorities installing field hospital at international airport to attend to passengers arriving with fly symptoms. * Government sending two charter flights to Mexico to bring home about 150 stranded Argentines, who the foreign ministry has put up in hotels in Cancun and Mexico City. BRAZIL * Screening passengers on flights from the United States, Mexico and Canada for flu symptoms and placed an order for 100,000 surgical masks to be distributed at airports. Ships are also being screened. CHILE * Is screening passengers arriving by air from Mexico and the United States and called on citizens to avoid travel to countries with a flu risk. PARAGUAY * Declared a health emergency that would free up funds, if needed, and would give the government authority to cancel international events, if necessary. BOLIVIA, PANAMA, URUGUAY * Officials checked for people with flu symptoms arriving from Mexico and other countries including the United States where cases have been confirmed. "
__________________
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them" - Jefferson "We have a Bill of Rights. What we need is a Bill of Responsibility." - Bill Maher
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#2328
05-03-2009, 07:51 PM
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Inbox smoochies:
This first one also details the DoD employee's son, sick in late March, that the CDC confirmed on April 1st! http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lano...-in-state.html Quote:
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Probable swine flu case found in SoCal prison http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story...storyid=105250 Quote:
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http://www.daily-chronicle.com/artic...2745/index.xml Quote:
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Last edited by SassyinAZ; 05-03-2009 at 08:25 PM. Reason: Making links live, posting full articles
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#2329
05-03-2009, 07:56 PM
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And Europe.
From: http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews...5421G420090503 "FACTBOX - Measures against new flu in Europe EUROPE: AUSTRIA -- Has stocks of antiviral drugs sufficient to treat 4 million people (half the population) and has secured production capacity for prophylactic vaccines for the entire population. It has also stockpiled 8 million protective masks. BOSNIA -- Recommended citizens to avoid travel to infected countries. Bosnia's Muslim-Croat federation has stocks of 12,000 boxes of Tamiflu and other anti-virals, enough to cover up to 3 percent of the population of around 2 million. Bosnia's Serb Republic has about 400 doses of Oseltamivir anti-viral medicine. BRITAIN -- Launched a major advertising campaign to combat the threat of the flu, popularly referred to as swine flu. The "Catch it, Bin it, Kill it!" adverts urge people to use tissues when they sneeze, dispose of them and then wash their hands. -- Leaflets giving advice about the new H1N1 flu virus are to be sent to every home in Britain from May 5. -- Advises nationals against non-vital travel to Mexico. Routine consular and all visa services at its embassy in Mexico City have been suspended. Travel firm Thomas Cook is cancelling all flights to Mexico until May 5. -- Has antiviral stockpiles for treatment of 50 percent of the population. BULGARIA -- Advises nationals against non-vital travel to Mexico. Two thermal scanners have been installed at Sofia airport. Customs officers are also checking the luggage of passengers arriving from Mexico, the United States, Canada and Japan to ensure they are not importing pork products. CZECH REPUBLIC -- Circulating general information on the viral strain to hospitals, doctors and general practitioners. Has stocks of 2 million doses of Tamiflu, enough to treat one fifth of the population. At Prague Airport, information boards on the flu have been put up and medical tests are available. DENMARK -- A general pandemic plan has been in place since the bird flu scare. Denmark has stockpiled Tamiflu. FRANCE -- A national information campaign will be launched next week. Passengers arriving from Mexico will be tracked and their health checked. Strongly advises against travelling to Mexico. -- Has stocks of more than 30 million antiviral treatments, composed of 24 million doses of Tamiflu and 9 million doses of Relenza. GERMANY -- Advises nationals against non-vital travel to Mexico. GREECE -- Authorities will step up monitoring and information measures at the country's main entry points. More infra-red scanners will be installed in some of the country's 21 international airports. Two such scanners are already installed at the main airports of Athens and Thessaloniki. -- Has "strategic stocks" of antiviral medicines and has banned the export of anti-flu drugs Relenza (zanamivir) and Tamiflu (oseltamivir). Leaflets are being handed out at the airport. Passengers coming from infected countries are being tracked and doctors at the airport will carry out checks. HUNGARY -- Has installed medical imaging cameras in Budapest's main Ferihegy airport to monitor passengers for the virus. The cameras and linked computers analyse the electromagnetic radiation of the human body. ITALY - Pamphlets are being handed to passengers at Rome's international airport. Italy has 10 million doses of Zanamivir (Relenza) and 60,000 doses of Tamiflu as well as enough Tamiflu powder to make 30 million doses. Italy recommends travellers returning from Mexico stay at home for seven days, particularly school age children. NETHERLANDS - Has taken up an option of 19 million vaccines against the virus. NORWAY -- Has stored flu medicine covering one-third of the 4.7 million population. PORTUGAL -- Two charter flights to Mexico due to depart next week have been suspended. Has stocks of 2.5 million doses of Tamiflu, sufficient to treat a quarter of the population. * ROMANIA -- Capacity now to treat around 460,000 cases with anti-viral medication and can produce up to 7 million doses of anti-flu vaccine per month if needed. -- Recommends people avoid travelling to Mexico. Also heightened epidemiological monitoring in airports across the country and at border customs. RUSSIA -- Recommends Russians avoid trips to Mexico. -- Has ban on raw meat imports from the U.S. states of Indiana and New Jersey. Russia also bans all types of raw meat and meat products originating from the states of California, Texas and New York. A ban on raw pork and pork products will be applied to Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma and Florida. -- Has applied a ban on meat imports from Mexico and countries of Central America and the Caribbean. SERBIA -- Implementing a set of sanitary and pre-emptive measures, including distribution of leaflets to passengers going to or arriving from countries with recorded cases. Stockpiles of antivirals will be tripled. SLOVAKIA - With a population of 5.4 million, it has around 700,000 doses of Tamiflu in state reserves. SLOVENIA - Has 500,000 units of Tamiflu, enough to treat a quarter of Slovenia's population. SPAIN -- Distributes leaflets to passengers arriving from Mexico. Flights to Mexico are being equipped with face masks and gloves. Spain has a stockpile of 10 million doses of Tamiflu. TURKEY -- Carrying out health tests on passengers at airports and harbours arriving from infected countries and advises postponing non-essential travel to these countries. Thermal imaging cameras were installed in the main airports. UKRAINE -- Bans imports of live pigs and pork meat from countries where cases of swine flu have been recorded - Mexico, the United States, Canada and New Zealand. All shipments received after April 21 are subject to the ban."
__________________
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them" - Jefferson "We have a Bill of Rights. What we need is a Bill of Responsibility." - Bill Maher
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#2330
05-03-2009, 08:03 PM
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Asia and Africa.
From: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP393424.htm "FACTBOX-Measures in Asia against deadly flu 03 May 2009 06:17:35 GMT Source: Reuters May 3 (Reuters) - Asia, a continent that has battled deadly viruses such as the H5N1 bird flu and SARS in recent years, has been taking steps to ward off the new lethal flu strain virus. Current totals of new flu strain cases in Asia: COUNTRY DEATHS CONFIRMED CASES SUSPECTED CASES NEW ZEALAND 0 4 113 AUSTRALIA 0 0 80 SOUTH KOREA 0 1 28 HONG KONG 0 1 0 Following are some details of how Asian countries are responding to the crisis (* Denotes new contribution): AUSTRALIA - Pandemic plans in full swing. Govt approves tough new powers to detain, disinfect people suspected of carrying swine flu. All incoming flights have to declare suspected cases on arrival, make inflight announcements. International passengers have to fill health declaration card. Govt runs ads in media, sets up hotline. Deploys thermal scanners to international airports - Enough anti-viral drugs to cover around 41 percent of 21 million population. Australia has stockpiled 8.7 million doses of Tamiflu, Relenza drugs and 50 million surgical masks. SOUTH KOREA - Recommends nationals staying in Mexico to leave unless on urgent business. Agriculture Ministry suspends imports of live pigs from North America. Running round-the-clock emergency quarantine centre. - Tamiflu stockpile for 2.5 million people. Working to increase that to 10 percent of population of about 49 million. HONG KONG *- Has quarantined a downtown hotel after Mexican guest tested positive for the flu. Around 300 guests and staff being isolated for a week. In a sign perceived contagion risk may be easing, education authorities said local schools will open on Monday, though situation would be monitored continuously. - Media say authorities have 20 million doses of Tamiflu and other anti-flu drugs. Screening stepped up at all entry points. VIETNAM - Visitors arriving from the swine flu infected countries to be isolated. Nationals advised not to visit zones reported with the disease. - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city of more than 8 million people, has stocks of Tamiflu enough for 1 million people. SINGAPORE - People who visited Mexico in the past seven days to be quarantined at home for seven days and undergo "phone surveillance" for flu symptoms. Imposed visa requirements for all Mexican nationals from May 2. - Thermal scanners at airport and isolation units at hospitals, where staff at some emergency departments are wearing full protective clothing. JAPAN - Govt has about 33.8 million people's worth of Tamiflu stockpiled. In addition, 8.3 million people's worth of Tamiflu is expected to be bought soon. About 2.68 million people worth of Relenza stockpiled by the central govt. Japan's population estimated to be around 128 million people. - Military doctors, nurses posted to Narita Airport to help check passengers from Mexico, Canada and the United States. Japan began a blanket inspection of imported pigs. In 2008, Japan imported about 420 pigs. No pigs have been imported from Mexico in the last decade. NEW ZEALAND - Health Ministry to boost national stockpile of anti-viral drugs by 10 percent to nearly 1.4 million doses, which will give cover to just under one-third of the population. Raised level of national pandemic plan and screening all flights from North America. TAIWAN - Current supplies of swine flu treatment to cover 10 percent of Taiwan's 23 million population. More than one million facemasks for emergency use. MALAYSIA * - Boosting Tamiflu stockpile to cover 10 percent of the 27-million population compared to 7.5 percent currently. * - Using more thermal scanners at international airports, especially for passengers on flights from countries facing outbreaks. Travellers from affected countries required to fill in health declaration forms. Also checking visitors entering through Thai-Malaysian border and Malaysia-Singapore immigration checkpoints. THAILAND - Govt has 320,000 sets of Tamiflu stockpiled. GPO, state-owned drug maker, can produce one million capsules of generic Tamiflu if needed. Thailand has population of about 65 million. - Temperature screening checkpoints at international airports in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket. PHILIPPINES - Health officials to recommend increase in the government stockpile of Tamiflu to one million doses from 600,000 now which covers 60,000 cases. Philippines has population of 90 million. * - Government seven-point line of defence includes tighter screening measures at all entry points to country and campaign for proper hygiene CHINA * - Chinese Health Ministry has asked for daily flu status reports from local governments starting Sunday. Stepped up checks at airports, requires all people entering country to fill out health status declarations. Those from flu-affected countries have to go through special channel and have temperatures taken. * - Tracking, quarantining passengers on same flight as Mexican man who tested positive for flu. * - China Southern Airlines to send chartered flight to Mexico to pick up about 120 Chinese passengers stranded there - Suspends flights from Mexico after first case reported in Hong Kong travelled through Shanghai. - Chinese authorities tell hospitals to swiftly report suspected cases of flu. Official press vows fast public disclosure of any cases. Prevention education campaign launched in schools. - Chinese Health Minister says China has begun expanding stocks of Tamiflu and similar drugs, and has sufficient capacity to manufacture these medicines itself. BANGLADESH - Travellers, particularly those coming from countries already hit by recent outbreak, to be screened. INDONESIA - Temperature scanners installed at 10 airports and ports with immediate effect. Blanket ban on pig imports. Health ministry distributes safety gear to local health centres and hospitals. - At least 3 million Tamiflu capsules in stock. INDIA - Raising Tamiflu stocks to 10 million from 3 million over the next seven days. - Opening quarantine facilities in all 17 international airports. Surveillance stepped up at international airports and ports. Facilities set up to screen passengers arriving from swine flu-affected areas. ASEAN - ASEAN health ministers will try to coordinate their fight against the flu at emergency meeting in Thailand next week. - Has 500,000 courses of antivirals stockpiled in Singapore and another 500,000 distributed among ASEAN member states. ASEAN also has stockpile of personal protective equipment but it did not give details. " From: http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssH...23897820090503 "FACTBOX-Measures against swine flu in Africa Sun May 3, 2009 10:12am EDT May 3 (Reuters) - Following is a guide to steps being taken around Africa to combat a possible flu pandemic: * Star denotes new or updated entry AFRICA: EGYPT -- Egypt, hit hard by bird flu, has ordered the slaughter of every pig herd in the country as a precaution against swine flu. The United Nations said on Wednesday the mass cull of up to 400,000 pigs was "a real mistake". -- Increases medical staff at Cairo airport to check passengers from Mexico and will monitor them during their stay. GABON -- Has suspended imports of pork and pork products and increased health checks at all border entry points. GHANA -- Bans import of pork products. It has drugs available and a quarantine system should any cases be identified. KENYA -- Monitoring visitors entering through airports and other border points who may come from infected areas. Visitors being screened are from U.S., Canada, Israel, Spain, and Britain. Kenya has enough medication to treat people and facilities for quarantining. MOROCCO -- Has stocks of Tamiflu for 1 million people Morocco hopes to negotiate price reductions on further supplies, enough for 15-20 percent of the 34 million population. Is issuing gloves, surgical boots and masks to health and airport workers. SOUTH AFRICA -- Outbreak response teams are operational in all provinces. * SUDAN -- Set up an office at the airport and at Port Sudan to check on all people who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms and/or fever. TUNISIA -- Installed thermal detectors (to identify travellers with fever) at airports and stepped up medical surveillance at all entry point. Advised people not to visit Mexico. ZAMBIA -- Has formed an emergency task force to deal with a possible outbreak of swine flu. ZIMBABWE -- Deployed teams at ports of entry to check for suspected cases. Zimbabwe does not have enough drugs in stocks to treat swine flu but will ask WHO Africa regional office. "
__________________
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them" - Jefferson "We have a Bill of Rights. What we need is a Bill of Responsibility." - Bill Maher
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#2331
05-03-2009, 08:15 PM
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This is something that I don't usually do but I'm wondering if anyone has an online subscription to The Wall Street Journal? I came across the first part of an article that I think might be important but the rest of the article requires an online subscription. The article is a first hand account of a reporter who was hospitalized with the flu.
If anyone can acess the full article, I think it would be interesting to get some details. This is the only part of the article that is public access. From: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124138858052581321.html " It had been 10 years since I had the flu. But over the past week, I spent four days in isolation at New York's Montefiore Medical Center after contracting a serious case. I came down with the virus after being stuck for hours at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, which sees more than two dozen flights a day from Mexico. Forty-eight hours later I had muscle aches, a cough, chills and a 102-degree fever. Authorities only seemed to be giving advice not to "go out." But few doctors make house calls. Last Sunday night, as my condition worsened, I couldn't reach my ..."
__________________
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them" - Jefferson "We have a Bill of Rights. What we need is a Bill of Responsibility." - Bill Maher
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#2332
05-03-2009, 08:35 PM
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090502/...wine_flu_death
First US swine flu victim was born to wealth Sat May 2, 4:57 pm ET HOUSTON – While some of Mexico's swine flu fatalities were poor and had uncertain access to health care, the toddler who became the first U.S. death from the outbreak was born into one of Mexico's wealthiest families. His father is a well-known architect. His grandfather is a Mexican media mogul who serves on the International Olympic Committee. His great-uncle controls the Angeles Hospital chain, one of Mexico's largest private health providers. Miguel Tejada Vazquez, 21 months old, died on Monday in a Houston hospital during a visit to America. He had been with his family in Brownsville, Texas, for most of April, and came down with flu symptoms the day after a shopping trip to Houston's upscale Galleria mall on April 7. When the hospital in Brownsville could do no more for him, Miguel was transported to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, where he died. The boy's grandfather is Mario Vazquez Rana, 76, who heads Mexico's Olympic Committee and is on the 15-member IOC board. Vazquez Rana also runs a media empire that includes 41 Mexican newspapers, mostly in smaller markets. He owned the United Press International wire service for nearly two years in the mid-1980s. The boy's great-uncle, Olegario Vazquez Rana, also owns radio stations, a Mexico City newspaper and Mexico's Camino Real hotels. Miguel was the youngest of six children of Vazquez Rana's daughter, Miriam Vazquez, and architect Jose Manuel Tejeda.
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#2333
05-03-2009, 08:38 PM
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35 now probable in Washington
http://www.examiner.com/a-1995733~10..._in_Wash_.html Quote:
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#2334
05-03-2009, 08:45 PM
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 and up it came, located here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124138858052581321.htmlQuote:
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#2335
05-03-2009, 08:50 PM
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The WHO's official blurb of the day.
FRom: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_03a/en/index.html "Influenza A(H1N1) - update 12 3 May 2009 -- As of 1600 GMT, 3 May 2009, 18 countries have officially reported 898 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection. Mexico has reported 506 confirmed human cases of infection, including 19 deaths. The higher number of cases from Mexico in the past 48 hours reflects ongoing testing of previously collected specimens. The United States Government has reported 226 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (85), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), France (2), Germany (8), Ireland (1), Israel (3), Italy (1), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (4), Republic of Korea (1), Spain (40), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (15). ..."
__________________
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them" - Jefferson "We have a Bill of Rights. What we need is a Bill of Responsibility." - Bill Maher
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#2336
05-03-2009, 08:50 PM
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Mexico says flu epidemic over the worst 03 May 2009 23:34:47 GMT Source: Reuters * Mexico says its outbreak is in a 'phase of descent' * Mayor sees Mexico City resuming activities on Thursday * Experts say virus may be no more severe than normal flu * WHO says world should not "lower guard" (Adds Mexico City mayor, updates WHO tally, adds quote) By Louise Egan and Luis Rojas Mena MEXICO CITY, May 3 (Reuters) - Mexico announced on Sunday that its swine flu epidemic had passed the worst and experts said the new H1N1 virus might be no more severe than normal flu, although it could still impact on world health. Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said the flu was easing but warned that it was too early for Mexico -- the epicenter of an outbreak that has spread to 19 countries -- to let down its guard. The mayor of Mexico City, Marcelo Ebrard, said the capital of 20 million inhabitants was likely to resume normal activities on Thursday, observing certain health precautions, after a five-day partial shutdown to limit the virus' spread. Cordova said the H1N1 flu outbreak appeared to have peaked in Mexico between April 23 and 28 and fewer people had gone to hospitals with serious flu symptoms in the past few days. "The evolution of the epidemic is now in its phase of descent," he told a news conference in Mexico City, where millions of people heeded government advice to stay at home. After days of alarm that had kept streets eerily quiet, the atmosphere in Mexico City appeared more relaxed on Sunday, with some people venturing out on bikes or running. Many no longer wore the surgical masks that have been almost obligatory in the city in the last week as residents feared infection. But millions of Catholics stayed away from churches, watching Sunday mass on television instead. Mexican authorities have scaled back their estimate of deaths from the flu strain to over 100, down from 176. Only 19 deaths in Mexico are confirmed as being caused by the new flu. But new cases of the virus, which mixes swine, avian and human flu strains, still were being tracked across the world, keeping alive fears of the threat of a pandemic. The World Health Organization said its laboratories had identified a total of 898 H1N1 flu infections in 18 countries, including one case in Italy. Its toll lags national reports but is considered more scientifically secure. "ENCOURAGING SIGNS" The flu has spread to 30 U.S. states and infected 226 people, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. It appears to be hitting mostly younger people, with very few cases reported in those over 50 years old. [nN03327731] CDC acting director Richard Besser said there were "encouraging signs" that the new strain was not more severe than what would be seen during normal seasonal flu. But he still expected the virus to have a "significant impact" on people's health. "We're not out of the woods," Besser told "Fox News Sunday." [nN03498213] The U.S. government said it hoped to have a vaccine ready for the new flu strain by the autumn. In Britain, Health Secretary Alan Johnson said the spread of the new flu strain had been contained there. [nL3536156] A World Health Organization spokesman said in Geneva its emergency committee had no meeting scheduled to review its global alert for the H1N1 flu, which it set last week to 5, one notch below pandemic level. [nL3279251] Health officials and scientists from around the world have been focusing on how the new mutated, mongrel flu strain may be passed between animals and humans. The WHO said flu surveillance should be increased in both humans and animals now that the latest H1N1 strain was found to have infected pigs in Canada. [nL3279981] Canadian health officials said a traveler carried the virus from Mexico to Canada and infected his family and a pig herd. SOME STILL WARY Mexico has seen a stabilization of serious cases in the past few days, bringing some relief to its population, millions of whom have stayed indoors in line with a government order for non-essential businesses to remain closed through Wednesday. "We've been indoors since Friday. So now we've come out to enjoy some fresh air," cyclist Silvia Rodriguez told Reuters, relaxing on the grass of a central park in Mexico City. Others were more wary. "I'm not totally convinced that the worst is over," said Juan Antonio Hernandez, 48, a caretaker. A Mexican Embassy official in China said Chinese authorities were quarantining more than 50 Mexican business people and tourists after some showed flu symptoms. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP468702.htm
__________________
"Recovered Flu Posts" Sept 19 - Nov 2, 2009 http://sidewindercafe.com/flu.html List of all the U.S. State Departments of Public Health http://www.fsis.usda.gov/fsis_recall...public_health/
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#2337
05-03-2009, 08:52 PM
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__________________
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them" - Jefferson "We have a Bill of Rights. What we need is a Bill of Responsibility." - Bill Maher
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#2338
05-03-2009, 09:04 PM
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Friend of mine from Mexico was wondering a few days ago what was going to be more dangerous for the people of Mexico... the swine flu or shutting down Mexico City.
 I hope we are getting the truth and this virus is in a 'phase of descent'. I guess we will know soon enough  Experts say virus may be no more severe than normal flu  Huh??
__________________
"Recovered Flu Posts" Sept 19 - Nov 2, 2009 http://sidewindercafe.com/flu.html List of all the U.S. State Departments of Public Health http://www.fsis.usda.gov/fsis_recall...public_health/
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#2339
05-03-2009, 09:13 PM
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I mentioned before that I am a nurse in a hospital near Santa Ana, where we have a huge population of Mexican nationals.
All this week at the hospital, we have been low in admissions. There was one swine flu case, and that person was sent home to take medication. He was asked to stay at home. Otherwise, that is it. No special precautions. A charge nurse told me that those who are getting sick are the patients with compromised immune systems.
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#2340
05-03-2009, 09:23 PM
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Thanks for clarifying that, Kay
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#2341
05-03-2009, 09:25 PM
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that is interesting... a friend of mine arrived from Mexico a few days ago and told me a lot of people were sick and dying in Mexico City and it wasn't being reported accurately. He's been back for a few days now and I won't talk to him again until next week. What he said really alarmed me ... don't really know what to think anymore
__________________
"Recovered Flu Posts" Sept 19 - Nov 2, 2009 http://sidewindercafe.com/flu.html List of all the U.S. State Departments of Public Health http://www.fsis.usda.gov/fsis_recall...public_health/
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#2342
05-03-2009, 09:27 PM
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You were in Orange County, yes, Kay? If so, they've a probable case, I don't know where specifically however. Was the one case you had treated with anti-virals?
Interesting your charge nurse told you it was the immunocomprised people, the reports indicate otherwide There have been additional guidances issued for the immuno-suppresed though.Good point though about the Mexican population, WHO says 1/3 of the cases (their confirmed numbers) have a mexican connection, that sure doesn't explain the majority of the rest of them though. Unrelated, just don't want to make an additional post http://www.wabi.tv/news/5732/antivir...rrive-in-maine Quote:
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#2343
05-03-2009, 09:30 PM
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http://wbztv.com/local/concord.hospital.swine.2.999047.htmlHospital 'Probable' H1N1 Patient Worked While Sick
CONCORD, N.H. (WBZ) ― May 1, 2009 More people could have been exposed to two Concord Hospital workers who are considered to have "probable cases" of swine flu. According to the hospital, one of the two employees being tested for swine flu, also known as H1N1, worked while contagious, and as a result, an additional five patients and seven employees could be at risk of getting the virus.
__________________
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." PSALMS 118:24.
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#2344
05-03-2009, 09:34 PM
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Yes that is interesting everything I've heard about this flu indicates just the opposite
__________________
"Recovered Flu Posts" Sept 19 - Nov 2, 2009 http://sidewindercafe.com/flu.html List of all the U.S. State Departments of Public Health http://www.fsis.usda.gov/fsis_recall...public_health/
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#2345
05-03-2009, 09:35 PM
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#2346
05-03-2009, 09:35 PM
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Idaho is confirmed.
From: http://www.kxly.com/Global/story.asp?S=10295207 "CDC confirms Kootenai County swine flu case Posted: May 03, 2009 9:33 PM EDT Updated: May 03, 2009 10:04 PM EDT COEUR D'ALENE -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms a Kootenai County woman in her 60's is Idaho's first confirmed case of swine flu. The CDC notified Idaho health officials late Sunday afternoon that the woman's type A flu sample tested positive for swine flu. Health officials said the woman recently returned from a trip to Texas. According to the Panhandle Health District, the woman was not hospitalized and was recovering from symptoms of the flu. Health officials are working with the woman's health care provider to help prevent the virus from spreading. Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare says the woman is a retiree who has had limited contact with others since she started feeling ill. Health officials say she is being treated with antiviral medication and is staying at home. Despite Idaho's confirmed case, officials say people in the northwest should continue to common sense. "Our advice for people right now sounds simple, but is really effective," says Dr. Christine Hahn, State Epidemiologist. "Wash your hands frequently, cover your cough and stay home from school or work when you are sick. " The Idaho Bureau of Labs has tested samples from 82 people for swine flu infection, it discovered Kootenai County's probable case last Thursday. With Idaho's confirmed case on Sunday, 227 people from 31 states have confirmed cases of swine flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working with health officials in Idaho to distribute medications and supplies that can be used to treat over 50,000 people if needed."
__________________
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them" - Jefferson "We have a Bill of Rights. What we need is a Bill of Responsibility." - Bill Maher
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#2347
05-03-2009, 09:37 PM
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Further on Idaho.
From: http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/s....17ccc57d.html "07:37 PM MDT on Sunday, May 3, 2009 Associated Press BOISE - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday notified Idaho public health officials that a sample from a northern Idaho woman has tested positive for swine flu. Tom Shanahan, spokesman for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, says the Kootenai County woman in her 60s who recently traveled to Texas is recovering at home and has not needed to be hospitalized. Shanahan says more samples have been sent for testing and he expects additional swine flu cases to be reported in the state. He says about 50 more samples were submitted on Saturday for testing at the Idaho Bureau of Labs in Boise."
__________________
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them" - Jefferson "We have a Bill of Rights. What we need is a Bill of Responsibility." - Bill Maher
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#2348
05-03-2009, 09:47 PM
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More human to human transmission.
Hope http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...426584/1/.html German H1N1 flu spreads in hospital BERLIN - A man who returned from Mexico with H1N1 flu passed the virus on to a fellow hospital patient as well as one of his nurses, the national disease control and prevention agency, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), said Saturday. The case took to six the number confirmed in Germany to have contracted the influenza A(H1N1) virus, two of whom had not travelled to Mexico. The latest case reported Saturday, a 38-year-old man, shared a ward in the Bavaria hospital where the nurse was confirmed to have been infected on Friday. Of the others, two are in Bavaria and one in Hamburg. Announcing the case of the nurse who caught the disease from her patient on Friday, RKI official Joerg Hacker said, "We are not surprised that this has happened but of course we are concerned because it is the first time ... We must expect that there could be further cases of contraction like this in Germany." Spain and Britain also each have one confirmed case of someone who caught the flu virus from a friend who had recently returned from Mexico, where the disease broke out and has killed 16 people.
__________________
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." PSALMS 118:24.
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#2349
05-03-2009, 09:50 PM
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I believe Mexico is so worried about their economy that they are down playing H1N1.
__________________
"Recovered Flu Posts" Sept 19 - Nov 2, 2009 http://sidewindercafe.com/flu.html List of all the U.S. State Departments of Public Health http://www.fsis.usda.gov/fsis_recall...public_health/
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#2350
05-03-2009, 09:57 PM
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Interesting phrasing in this article.
From: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?s...g&pid=20601087 "Swine Flu Expands to ‘Virtually All’ U.S. as Global Cases Grow By Tom Randall May 4 (Bloomberg) -- Swine flu has spread to 30 U.S. states and the number of countries with confirmed cases jumped to 19 from two in little more than a week. The expansion comes amid signs of a waning epidemic in Mexico. Officially called H1N1, the virus is probably circulating in “virtually all” U.S. states, said Anne Schuchat of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a news conference yesterday. First reported in the U.S. and Mexico, H1N1 also has been confirmed in Central America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and New Zealand, health officials have said. Declaration of a pandemic is imminent, the World Health Organization said over the weekend. Globally, health officials have said they’re bracing for the possibility of the disease worsening even as Mexico’s health minister yesterday said the outbreak there was declining. Mexico has been hardest hit with 506 of 898 confirmed WHO cases and 19 of 20 deaths. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” said Schuchat, interim deputy of the CDC’s science and public health program, in referring to the U.S. outbreak. “I do expect more cases, more severe cases, and I do expect more deaths.” Schuchat said she was “particularly concerned” about what will happen when the flu season starts for the Northern Hemisphere. That usually coincides with the fall, around late September, the CDC said on its Web site. Infected Swine Canadian health officials on May 2 reported the world’s first known case of swine flu jumping to pigs from a human, probably after a farm worker in the province of Alberta became ill during a trip to Mexico. Hundreds of pigs on the farm showed symptoms of the same H1N1 strain in humans and were recovering, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Pigs are an ideal breeding ground for new forms of the flu, and further genetic scrambling can result in deadlier forms of the new swine flu, said Nancy Cox, chief of the flu division at the Center for the Immunization and Respiratory Disease at the Atlanta-based CDC. The animals serve as a “wonderful mixing vessel” for bird, human and swine viruses, Cox said. The process of two viruses merging to form a new virus, called reassortment, can also take place in humans. New viruses formed through reassortment can have different properties than either of the two “parental viruses,” she said, sometimes producing deadlier diseases and complicating vaccine production. Seasonal Flu Strains The three main seasonal flu strains -- H3N2, another form of H1N1, and type-B -- cause 250,000 to 500,000 deaths a year globally, according to the WHO. The new flu’s symptoms are similar: aches, coughing, and fever. The CDC says people with the swine flu are more likely to have diarrhea. Even if swine-flu symptoms are mild, the ease with which the new virus can spread among a world population with no natural immunity makes it a threat, health officials said. Data so far suggest the virus is striking younger patients than is typical for influenza, and younger patients than usual are entering hospitals, Schuchat said. “Very few” patients with swine flu are older than 50, and the median age is 17. It’s possible that the elderly have greater immunity. The U.S. CDC reported 226 cases in 30 states, with one death, a 22-month-old child who had traveled from Mexico and died April 27 at a Houston hospital. The number of people with flu in the U.S. is increasing at a time when the typical season would be at its end, Schuchat said. Spreads Easily “It does spread very easily,” said Richard Besser, the acting head of the CDC, in an interview on ABC News yesterday. “The word out of New York City where they had a school cluster is it spread very rapidly through that school. But what they were seeing was disease that was not that severe, and when it transmitted to people in the families, they were seeing disease that was not that severe, and that’s encouraging.” The WHO, a Geneva-based agency of the United Nations, has confirmed cases in Austria, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Germany, China (Hong Kong), Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the U.K., and the U.S. Colombia confirmed a case yesterday, although it hasn’t been added to the WHO’s list, which typically lags country and local reporting. Mexico’s swine flu outbreak probably peaked last week and patients are responding well to antiviral treatments, Health Minister Jose Cordova said yesterday during a news conference in Mexico City. The virus has been confirmed in 23 of Mexico’s 31 states and the capital district. ‘Declining Phase’ “The epidemic is in its declining phase,” Cordova said. “It seems to have contained itself. We just can’t say it yet with complete certainty.” The WHO raised its six-tier alert to 5 on April 29 and a further elevation would signal a pandemic, alerting governments to carry out plans to curb the disease. “I would still propose that a pandemic is imminent,” said Michael Ryan, the agency’s director of global alert and response, at a news conference May 2. International health experts said the world is now closer to another influenza pandemic than at any time since 1968, when the last of the previous century’s three pandemics occurred. The WHO hasn’t had a phase 6 alert since it introduced the six-level system in 2005. Before last week, the warning had been at phase 3 since 2007, when it was elevated for an outbreak of avian influenza, according to the WHO Web site. More Than Bird Flu The new influenza strain has now struck more people than the H5N1 avian influenza that emerged in 2003. That illness killed more than half of the 421 who contracted the malady worldwide. Unlike swine flu, it didn’t spread from person to person. The Spanish flu of 1918, another version of bird flu, killed as many as 50 million people in one of history’s deadliest outbreaks. “We’re not seeing the factors that were associated with the 1918 pandemic, we’re not seeing the factors that were associated with other H1N1 viruses, and that’s encouraging,” the CDC’s Besser said. Because the virus is new and possibly evolving, “I don’t think it’s time to let our guard down.” The U.S. is hastening production of its annual flu shots based on strains identified before the H1N1 outbreak, said Kathleen Sebelius, who was confirmed as the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary last week. That will make capacity available if vaccines are needed for swine flu, she said. ‘Accelerating Vaccine’ “We are ramping up and accelerating the production of seasonal flu vaccine to make sure that we kind of clear the decks,” she said on “This Week,” an ABC News program, yesterday. “Ultimately the scientists will tell us whether or not production of that vaccine makes sense.” Batches of seed virus are being developed for potential vaccine production, according to the World Health Organization. Sanofi-Aventis SA of Paris, Baxter International Inc. of Deerfield, Illinois, and GlaxoSmithKline Plc of London, are talking with world health authorities about producing shots, the agency said. Authorities advised hand-washing, hygiene and staying home if sick as the most effective ways to control the outbreak. The WHO and CDC said closing borders or killing animals are costly steps that wouldn’t slow the spread of flu. "
__________________
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them" - Jefferson "We have a Bill of Rights. What we need is a Bill of Responsibility." - Bill Maher
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#2351
05-03-2009, 09:57 PM
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Here's an interesting read, with smoochies to my inbox
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#2352
05-03-2009, 10:46 PM
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I'm calling it a night. Veratect has been quiet for hours. They've about run out of states to put out bulletins on.
I'll check in tomorrow.
__________________
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them" - Jefferson "We have a Bill of Rights. What we need is a Bill of Responsibility." - Bill Maher
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#2353
05-03-2009, 10:52 PM
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"There are probably 10,000 people with the flu in New York," he said. "We just don't have the capacity to test that. People with the flu should stay home and call their doctor." 10,000 cases in N.Y.!!!???!!? I know they meant all kinds of flu. Didn't they?
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#2354
05-03-2009, 10:54 PM
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CDC stating resistance to Tamiflu
Stumbled upon this from a link at my local county health website. Note this is the CDCs recommnedation for this flu season. The brand name for Oseltamivir is Tamiflu. I thought they said they weren't seeing any signs of Tamiflu resistance?
xr http://www2a.cdc.gov/HAN/ArchiveSys/...AlertNum=00279 Distributed via Health Alert Network Friday, December 19, 2008, 11:50 EST (11:50 AM EST) CDCHAN-00279-2008-12-19-ADV-N CDC Issues Interim Recommendations for the Use of Influenza Antiviral Medications in the Setting of Oseltamivir Resistance among Circulating Influenza A (H1N1) Viruses, 2008-09 Influenza Season Although influenza activity is low in the United States to date, preliminary data from a limited number of states indicate that the prevalence of influenza A (H1N1) virus strains resistant to the antiviral medication oseltamivir is high. Therefore, CDC is issuing interim recommendations for antiviral treatment and chemoprophylaxis of influenza during the 2008-09 influenza season. When influenza A (H1N1) virus infection or exposure is suspected, zanamivir or a combination of oseltamivir and rimantadine are more appropriate options than oseltamivir alone. Local influenza surveillance data and laboratory testing can help with physician decision-making regarding the choice of antiviral agents for their patients. The 2008-09 influenza vaccine is expected to be effective in preventing or reducing the severity of illness with currently circulating influenza viruses, including oseltamivir-resistant influenza A (H1N1) virus strains. Since influenza activity remains low and is expected to increase in the weeks and months to come, CDC recommends that influenza vaccination efforts continue. lots more at the link...
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#2355
05-03-2009, 11:07 PM
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Another link stating that H1N1 is resistant to Tamiflu (Oseltamivir)
http://www.dallascounty.org/departme...9wk8_FINAL.pdf
Just including the two pieces of the article that mention this. from the Synopsis: Quote:
It states that Influenza A (H1N1) is 98.6% resistant to Tamiflu (Oseltamivir). xr
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#2356
05-03-2009, 11:13 PM
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 Much worse my Internet has been down. I think I have turned into a tb2k addict. So then when I get here what do I see but a disparaging remark. lol. Thanks. And thanks to all, really, that helped out here. Ok I am going to go read the rest of the posts I missed.  BTW Sassy learn to spell cognac before you mention that nectar of the gods.
__________________
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for" John A. Shedd
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#2357
05-03-2009, 11:26 PM
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Most garden variety flus are also H1N1 strains, and most of the garden variety flus this past flu season were resistant to Tamiflu. That is what the bolded statement means...nationally, of the garden-variety H1N1 flus out there this year (2008-2009 winter flu season) 98% of them were Tamiflu-resistant. That is why so many of us medical practitioners were a bit surprised that this swine flu is supposedly showing response to Tamiflu...and is but one reason why many people suspect the current Mexican swine flu will also eventually mutate to a resistant form. Hope that helps clear things up. 
__________________
"To suffer is to survive. To bear it with grace and courage is to live." ---Ganesan, psychologist, Sri Lanka, January 6, 2005 Blessed are the cracked, for they are the ones who let in the light.
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#2358
05-03-2009, 11:26 PM
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I just wanted you to know you were missed, Dad 
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#2359
05-03-2009, 11:27 PM
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Talk about mixed messages...
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#2360
05-03-2009, 11:29 PM
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This is really terrible. One day without the internet and I think the world is ending. Wonder what happens when we lose it for a week. Yukk. Perish the thought. TV just doesn't cut it anymore.
__________________
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for" John A. Shedd
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