No one is calling this a pandemic precurser... but this is what one looks like. :P
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/24/swine.flu/
QuoteInvestigators in swine flu outbreak look to Mexico
Story Highlights
Seven cases of a strain of swine flu have been confirmed in humans in the U.S.
Symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing and runny nose
There is no danger of contracting the virus from eating pork products
(CNN) -- U.S. medical experts investigating a novel swine flu outbreak in California and Texas will examine samples from Mexico, where a respiratory illness has killed at least 20 people.
As a precaution to avoid further contamination, schools and universities in Mexico City and the state of Mexico were closed Friday, said National Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova. He indicated Friday the schools may remain closed for a while.
In the United States, seven cases of a previously undetected strain of swine flu have been confirmed in humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. All of the patients have recovered, officials said. None of the patients had direct contact with pigs.
Five of the cases were found in California, and two in Texas, near San Antonio, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, the CDC's interim deputy director for science and public health program.
The Mexican samples will be tested at the centers based in Atlanta, Georgia, spokesman David Daigle told CNN by e-mail. The samples were taken from an affected area just north of Mexico City. Canada also is testing samples from Mexico "and has placed a travel alert for travel to Mexico," Daigle said.
The Public Health Agency of Canada issued a respiratory alert for Mexico on Wednesday, recommending that health providers "actively look for cases" in Canada, particularly in people who've returned from Mexico within the last two weeks.
An alert issued Friday by the International SOS medical and consulting company said more than 130 cases of a severe respiratory illness have been detected in south and central Mexico, some of which are due to influenza.
"Public health officials in Mexico began actively looking for cases of respiratory illness upon noticing that the seasonal peak of influenza extended into April, when cases usually decline in number," the medical alert said. "They found two outbreaks of illness -- one centered around Distrito Federal (Mexico City), involving about 120 cases with 13 deaths. The other is in San Luis Potosi, with 14 cases and four deaths."
Authorities also detected one death in Oaxaca, in the south, and two in Baja California Norte, near San Diego, California.
The majority of cases are occurring in adults between 25 and 44 years of age.
The CDC reported Tuesday that two California children in the San Diego area were infected with a virus called swine influenza A H1N1, whose combination of genes had not been seen before in flu viruses in humans or pigs.
The seven patients range from age 9 to 54, the CDC's Schuchat said. "The good news is that all seven of these patients have recovered," she said.
The first two cases were picked up through an influenza monitoring program, with stations in San Diego and El Paso, Texas. The program monitors strains and tries to detect new ones before they spread, the CDC said. Other cases emerged through routine and expanded surveillance.
The human influenza vaccine's ability to protect against the new swine flu strain is unknown, and studies are ongoing, Schuchat said. There is no danger of contracting the virus from eating pork products, she said.
The new virus has genes from North American swine and avian influenza; human influenza; and swine influenza normally found in Asia and Europe, said Nancy Cox, chief of the CDC's Influenza Division.
Swine flu is caused by type A influenza, according to the CDC. The virus does not normally infect humans, but cases have occurred among people, especially those with exposure to pigs.
There also have been cases of one person spreading swine flu to other people, the CDC said.
In 1988, in an apparent swine flu infection among pigs in Wisconsin, there also was evidence of a patient transmitting the virus to health workers, the CDC said.
Experts think coughing, sneezing and contaminated surfaces spread the infection among people. From December 2005 to February 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were documented.
Symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, the CDC said.
The new strain of swine flu has resisted some antiviral drugs.
The CDC is working with health officials in California and Texas and expects to find more cases, Schuchat said.
There's no need for alarm, but people at risk -- those who live in or have visited areas where patients live or have had contact with pigs -- should get tested if they notice symptoms, said Dr. William Short at the division of infectious diseases at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
A pandemic is defined as: a new virus to which everybody is susceptible; the ability to readily spread from person to person; and wide geographic spread, said Dr. Jay Steinberg, an infectious disease specialist at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta. The new strain of swine flu meets only one of the criteria: novelty.
History indicates that flu pandemics tend to occur once every 20 years or so, so we're due for one, Steinberg said. However, it is not likely to be swine flu, he said.
"I can say with 100 percent confidence that a pandemic of a new flu strain will spread in humans," he said. "What I can't say is when it will occur."
CNN's Elizabeth Landau contributed to this report.
For our canadian friends...
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Health/Health+officials+watch+after+swine+outbreak+Mexico/1530651/story.html
I'm afraid this one is going to get me . I live in Texas remember, and people around my office are getting sick. Dropping like flies. I think the media just doesn't want scare people.
Signing off for what might be the last time.
I got the swine flu vaccine shot in 1976 so I'm good, right?
Oops sorry... ;)
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N24449988.htm
QuoteMost Mexico fatal flu victims aged between 25-45 24 Apr 2009 21:03:59 GMT
Source: Reuters
MEXICO CITY, April 24 (Reuters) - The majority of the people killed in Mexico's fatal flu outbreak were adults between 25 and 45 years old, a Mexican health official said on Friday.
"The majority were young adults between 25 and 45 years old," the official said under the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with the press.
Mexican officials said 20 people had been killed by the outbreak in Mexico and 1,004 people had been infected. (Reporting by Mica Rosenberg and Miguel Angel Gutierrez)
"The majority of the people killed in Mexico's fatal flu outbreak were adults between 25 and 45 years old, a Mexican health official said on Friday."
The same thing was true about the great WWI flu pandemic, but that was a bird flu not swine.
The TV News (NBC) said, if they start developing a vaccine for this strain TODAY (and hopefully, they are), it will be months before there is enough to begin inoculating people. They also said cities should be dusting off the pandemic plans that were supposed to be developed for the bird flu scare. But they aren't saying it will be a pandemic.
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
QuoteHuman Swine Influenza Investigation
April 26, 2009 12:45 ET
Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States. Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection also have been identified internationally. The current U.S. case count is provided below.
U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection State # of laboratory
confirmed cases
California 7 cases
Kansas 2 cases
New York City 8 cases
Ohio 1 case
Texas 2 cases
TOTAL COUNT 20 cases
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
See: World Health Organization
As of April 26, 2009 9:00 AM ET
Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with swine influenza viruses.
CDC is working very closely with officials in states where human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) have been identified, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. This includes deploying staff domestically and internationally to provide guidance and technical support. CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate this investigation.
Laboratory testing has found the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir and has issued interim guidance for the use of these drugs to treat and prevent infection with swine influenza viruses. CDC also has prepared interim guidance on how to care for people who are sick and interim guidance on the use of face masks in a community setting where spread of this swine flu virus has been detected. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide new information as it becomes available.
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Topics on this page:
General Information
Summary Guidance
Guidance Documents
Travel Notices
Transcripts
Reports & Publications
Related Links
Past Updates
General Information
Swine Flu and You
What is swine flu? Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.? …
Swine Flu Video Podcast
Dr. Joe Bresee, with the CDC Influenza Division, describes swine flu - its signs and symptoms, how it's transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people should do if they become ill.
Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)
How does swine flu spread? Can people catch swine flu from eating pork? …
Swine Influenza in Pigs and People
Brochure
Información en español
Datos importantes sobre la influenza porcina…
Summary Guidance
CDC has provided the following interim guidance for this investigation.
Residents of California and Texas
Clinicians
State Public Health Laboratories
Public Health/Animal Health
Residents of States with Swine Influenza Cases
CDC has identified human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in people in the U.S. CDC is working with local and state health agencies to investigate these cases. We have determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, we have not determined how easily the virus spreads between people. As with any infectious disease, we are recommending precautionary measures for people residing in these areas.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
There is no vaccine available at this time, so it is important for people living in these areas to take steps to prevent spreading the virus to others. If people are ill, they should attempt to stay at home and limit contact with others. Healthy residents living in these areas should take everyday preventive actions.People who live in these areas who develop an illness with fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, should contact their health care provider. Their health care provider will determine whether influenza testing is needed.
Clinicians
Clinicians should consider the possibility of swine influenza virus infections in patients presenting with febrile respiratory illness who
Live in an area where human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) has been identified or
Have traveled to an area where human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) has been identified or
Have been in contact with ill persons from these areas in the 7 days prior to their illness onset.
If swine flu is suspected, clinicians should obtain a respiratory swab for swine influenza testing and place it in a refrigerator (not a freezer). Once collected, the clinician should contact their state or local health department to facilitate transport and timely diagnosis at a state public health laboratory.
State Public Health Laboratories
Laboratories should send all unsubtypable influenza A specimens as soon as possible to the Viral Surveillance and Diagnostic Branch of the CDC’s Influenza Division for further diagnostic testing.
Public Health /Animal Health Officials
Officials should conduct thorough case and contact investigations to determine the source of the swine influenza virus, extent of community illness and the need for timely control measures.
Guidance Documents
Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1): Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home Apr 25, 2009
Interim Guidance on Antiviral Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection and Close Contacts Apr 25, 2009
Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use in Certain Community Settings Where Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Transmission Has Been Detected Apr 26, 2009
Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Biosafety Guidelines for Laboratory Workers Apr 24, 2009
This guidance is for laboratory workers who may be processing or performing diagnostic testing on clinical specimens from patients with suspected swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, or performing viral isolation.
Interim Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a Healthcare Setting Apr 24, 2009
Interim Guidance on Case Definitions to be Used For Investigations of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Cases Apr 26, 2009
This document provides interim guidance for state and local health departments conducting investigations of human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus. The following case definitions are for the purpose of investigations of suspected, probable, and confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.
Travel Notices
Risk of Swine Flu Associated with Travel to Affected Areas
April 26, 2009 at 12:28 p.m. ET
Outbreak Notice: Swine Influenza in the United States
April 25, 2009 12:00 p.m. ET
Travel Health Precaution: Swine Influenza and Severe Cases of Respiratory Illness in Mexico
April 25, 2009 12:00 p.m. ET
Press Briefing Transcripts
Media Availability on CDC Investigation of Human Cases of Swine Influenza
April 25, 2009, 1 p.m. EDT
Unedited Transcript of CDC Briefing on Public Health Investigation of Human Cases of Swine Influenza
April 24, 2009 2:30 p.m. EDT
CDC Briefing on Public Health Investigation of Human Cases of Swine Influenza
April 23, 2009 press briefing…
Reports & Publications
CDC Health Advisory April 25, 2009, 3:00 EDT
Investigation and Interim Recommendations: Swine Influenza (H1N1)
Distributed via Health Alert Network
CDCHAN-000281-2009-04-25-ALT-N
Update: Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Infectionsâ€"California and Texas, April 2009
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) April 24, 2009 / Vol. 58 / Dispatch;1-3
Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Infection in Two Childrenâ€"Southern California, March-April 2009
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) April 21, 2009 / Vol. 58 / Dispatch
Related Links
PandemicFlu.gov
WHO - Influenza-Like Illness in the United States and Mexico
Past Updates
April 25, 2009
April 24, 2009
April 23, 2009
If God has that in my process then so be it. In the meantime I'm putting bling on my face mask. White is so plan.
Just for the conspiracy theorists... :o
http://www.naturalnews.com/026159.html
QuoteSwine Flu Smoking Gun? CDC was Combining Flu Viruses in 2004
by Sherry Baker, Health Sciences Editor
(NaturalNews) Last week, when what is now called a "swine flu" was first reported to be infecting and killing some people in Mexico, health officials noted it was a strain of flu never before seen. In fact, it is technically incorrect to call this simply a "swine" flu. Analyses showed it's a mixture of swine, human and avian viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Moreover, it is genetically different from the fully human H1N1 seasonal influenza virus that has been circulating globally for the past few years. Bottom line: the new flu virus contains DNA from avian, swine viruses (including elements from European and Asian viruses) and human viruses.
So did this curious mixture just develop naturally, out of the blue? Is it the result of inhumane farming practices, as the Humane Society of the United States (http://www.hsus.org/) has suggested, that exposes immune-compromised pigs to all sorts of animal and human feces?
Well, maybe. But let's go back and look at the facts to see if any other scenario could be possible.
First of all, there's the troublesome detail that the virus has elements that come from multiple continents. Then there's the fact that true swine flu is only rarely transmissible to humans -- this flu is spreading human-to-human, most likely because it contains DNA from human flu.
Could someone have deliberately mixed these viruses together? Is that possible? Absolutely...
CDC: Swine flu claims 1st victim in US
Quote from: By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer Mike Stobbe, Ap Medical Writer â€" 31 mins ago
ATLANTA â€" The CDC on Wednesday confirmed the first swine flu death outside of Mexico in the current outbreak, a 23-month-old child in Texas.
The child died in Houston, Kathy Barton, a spokeswoman for the city's health department, told KTRK-TV. It wasn't immediately clear where the child was from.
Houston spokesman Frank Michel told the Houston Chronicle the child came from Brownsville, in south Texas. Barton said the toddler came from Mexico.
Calls by The Associated Press seeking comment from local health officials weren't immediately returned.
The first U.S. swine flu death was confirmed earlier by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokesman Dave Daigle.
The acting head of the CDC called the confirmation tragic, but said it's too soon to say just how fast the swine flu virus is spreading.
Dr. Richard Besser said in a nationally broadcast network interview that health authorities had anticipated that the virus would cause deaths, and said that "as a pediatrician and a parent, my heart goes out to the family."
But Besser said on NBC's "Today" show that it's too soon to say if the death in Texas suggests the virus is spreading to more states. Nor would he say whether officials think it will become a nationwide problem.
He also said he does not believe the flu strain has become more dangerous.
Besser went on to note that even with seasonal flu, there are always some people who can't resist it very well, and said authorities need to learn more about the threat.
Children, especially those younger than age 5, are particularly vulnerable to flu and its complications, and every year children die from seasonal flu.
According to the CDC, more than 20,000 children younger than age 5 are hospitalized every year because of seasonal flu. In the 2007-08 flu season, the CDC received reports that 86 children nationwide died from flu complications.
As of April 11, CDC had received reports of 53 seasonal flu-related deaths in children during the current seasonal flu season.
It looks like it might have hit in Orlando. I haven't heard anything at the federal level yet.
http://www.wftv.com/news/19311020/detail.html#- (http://www.wftv.com/news/19311020/detail.html#-)
Doctor's Email Claims Swine Flu Case In Orlando
Posted: 10:41 am EDT April 28, 2009Updated: 7:14 pm EDT April 28, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Is the swine flu in Central Florida? An email obtained Tuesday by Eyewitness News from Florida Hospital's chief medical officer said it is (see the email), but then the hospital and the Orange County Health Department quickly backed down as soon as Eyewitness News started asking questions.
The doctor's email said the case is from a tourist from Mexico, the country at the center of the swine flu outbreak. The tourist came to Orlando with relatives to vacation at Disney World.
The newest information from the health department says several samples from Central Florida cases have been sent to the CDC. However, the Florida Department of Health told Eyewitness News early Tuesday evening no samples from anywhere in Florida have been sent to the CDC.
So far, there are no confirmed cases of swine flu in Central Florida.
Florida Hospital's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Loran Hauck, sent the email and it didn't take long for word to get around. His email said there was a diagnosed case of swine flu.
Two hours after Eyewitness News broke the story on WFTV.com, Dr. Scott Brady, the medical director for Florida Hospital Centra Care, where the case in question and two other possible cases came in, called a press conference (watch press conference).
"Let me be very clear that that has not been confirmed at this point in time," Brady said Tuesday.
Dr. Brady tried to downplay Dr. Loran Hauck's email, which said "a case was diagnosed here in Orlando today on a tourist from Mexico who came to Disney attractions two days ago to visit, as referring merely to the flu and not the swine flu. But WFTV reporter Kathi Belich pressed him, because the question Dr. Hauck was answering was specifically about swine flu.
"This was a direct answer to a question about swine flu. Did your chief medical officer speak out of turn?" Belich asked Brady.
"I have not spoken to the CMO about that," Brady said.
"You haven't?" Belich asked.
"It's not confirmed," Brady said.
"You have not spoken to him about why he generated this email?" Belich asked.
"I don't know why he generated the email," Brady said.
Eyewitness News tried to speak to Dr. Hauck about why he sent the email, but the hospital denied it. Instead, Florida Hospital released a statement from him late Tuesday afternoon.
“I regret that an unofficial e-mail I sent to a friend has been taken out of context,†Hauck wrote in the press release. â€My intent was to comment on current influenza cases in Central Florida, but I regret my strong choice of words. I apologize for the concern this has caused.â€
While Hauck's statement says he was really talking about "current influenza cases" and not swine flu, he only referred to one specific diagnosed case when Florida Hospital says it has had numerous cases of diagnosed influenza.
Dr. Brady told Eyewitness News a Mexican tourist who had been to Disney came into one of the clinics Sunday night with the flu. On Monday, they swabbed the tourist and said they sent the culture to the CDC. Florida Hospital says it sent two more cultures from Orlando to the CDC on Tuesday, but the the Florida Department of Health denies having sent any samples to the CDC.
Orange County Health Officer Dr. Kevin Sherin won't say exactly how many possible cases there are in the county. He's been asked by the health department not to do that, but says if there is a confirmed case he will get that information out right away.
Shortly after the hospital's press conference, the Florida's Health Department held their own (watch press conference).
"At this time we have no confirmed cases here in Florida," Florida Surgeon General Ana M. Viamonte Ros said during theTuesday afternoon press conference.
Viamonte Ros said several samples are being sent to state labs where, if they get a positive test, they are then forwarded to the CDC for confirmation.
"Several tests are being conducted at this time, but there are no confirmed cases at this time" Viamonte Ros said.
TOURIST INDUSTRY COULD BE HURT BY SWINE FLU FEARS
A report of swine flu in Central Florida could seriously hurt our biggest industry. The European Union is already warning people not to vacation here.
Disney will only say it's following CDC guidelines, but Eyewitness News talked to one guy who's telling his friends and family who work on Disney property to wear a mask and not take any chances.
The threat of swine flu has hit Central Florida's tourist district. One family from the United Kingdom heard of a possible case in Orlando and the news has made them a bit uneasy.
"Scary, scary," tourist Paul Brennan told Eyewitness News. "I think it's killed 160 people so far. Obviously, a bit of a worry."
Disney has not confirmed any cases on property and will only say it is following all health department guidelines.
Universal told Eyewitness News the same thing, but it sparked impromptu discussions at Tuesday's Orange County commission meeting.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau admits it is concerned but says it has no plans to do anything different right now. There is a crisis plan already in place and daily communication is a priority.
"Depending on where this goes could have an impact. We try to minimize the impact, let people know the true story," said Danielle Courtney, Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The CVB has 1,300 local members and said it will disseminate information as needed to those members. Part of that communication is to local hotels feeding them tips on sterilization. The hotel owners Eyewitness News talked to said thorough sanitizing is already part of their daily routine and that's how some tourist see it, too.
"Life's too short at end of day to worry about things like this," tourist Edward Howard said.
Eyewitness News spoke on Tuesday afternoon with Harris Rosen, who owns several hotels in the tourist area. He said he has had no cancellation due to the swine flu scare or a decline in business. Eyewitness News checked with OIA and there were two flights from Mexico arriving Tuesday.
From American Council on Science and Health:
http://www.acsh.org/factsfears/newsID.1216/news_detail.asp
World continues to (over)react to swine flu
In response to the growing spread of swine flu across the globe, the World Health Organization has raised its alert level to 5, indicating it believes a pandemic is "imminent." But as ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan says, "We need to put this situation in perspective by remembering that the U.S. has over 30,000 deaths every year from seasonal influenza."
In the case of swine flu, only Mexico has thus far reported significant numbers of sick and dead -- and even those numbers are in flux, probably due to inadequate data reporting and collection in the rural areas. The one U.S. mortality, a twenty-three-month-old, occurred when the infant was brought here from Mexico for treatment. We have so far documented about 100 cases in several U.S. states -- but these seem to be mild.
In an op-ed on TCS Daily, ACSH Trustee Dr. Henry Miller reassures us that while swine flu has "the potential to become an historic pandemic...[t]hat possibility appears less likely as the data continue to accumulate. There seems not to be the kind of exponential increase of number of infections that sometimes occurs, for example, with norovirus infections that sweep through cruise ships, dormitories, and other isolated populations."
As the epicenter of the outbreak, Mexico is right to take precautions like ordering the closure of many public services and private businesses until Tuesday. But many other countries are taking drastic and unnecessary steps in the name of "protecting" their citizens. Egypt has ordered that the country's 300,000 pigs slaughtered, even though swine flu has not appeared there and there is no evidence that pigs spread the disease. Many nations have (unnecessarily) restricted the imports of pork products and live pigs, while others are imposing bans on travel to Mexico. "But in the U.S., closing the borders would be like closing the barn doors after the horse got out, as President Obama has aptly expressed," ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross reminds us.
Despite initial reports, the new strain of swine flu appears to be a reassortment of two pig viruses and doesn't contain human or avian components. While we are glad the virus is being thoroughly studied, we doubt this information will help the general public protect themselves or avoid panic. "Knowing the components of a virus is important if you are trying to make a vaccine, but such information isn't helpful in the trenches of prevention and treatment," Dr. Ross says.
Dr. Miller's op-ed, however, includes many helpful tips on protecting yourself from swine flu. He advises, among other precautions, washing your hands frequently; avoiding touching your nose, mouth, and eyes; covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and then immediately discarding the tissue; and avoiding unnecessary travel to areas with a significant number of cases. If you develop symptoms of swine flu (which, as with the seasonal flu that occurs each fall and winter, include fever, muscle aches, cough, extreme tiredness, and sore throat), do not go to school or work; see a doctor, and take antiviral drugs exactly as they are prescribed.
Swine flu in Clay County?
QuoteClay County has probable swine flu case
The OakLeaf School to close for two days
Authorities hope to know late today if a Clay County student has swine flu and have closed The OakLeaf School for two days as a precaution.
Testing after the case was reported Wednesday shows it is a probable case, Clay County Health Department Administrator Nancy Mills said. The identity, grade, age and other information about the student, who is recovering, isn’t being released because it isn’t a confirmed swine flu case, Mills said.
Parents of the 1,650 students at The OakLeaf School in OakLeaf Plantation have been told the school will be closed today and Tuesday. Extra custodial staff will be at the school beginning today to do surface cleaning.
The school bus the student rides has already been cleaned, Superintendent Ben Wortham of the Clay school system said Sunday. He said an automated phone system notified parents and the 150 staffers at the school about the probable case and the closing.
full article: http://www.jacksonville.com/news/2009-05-03/story/clay_county_has_probable_swine_flu_case
Yeah they closed the school this morning and tomorrow too. I live in the area, only on the Duval side. What's I personally think it's scary is that if the effected child was sick and was out in the public before the parents knew about it, it could have spread. Oakleaf is on the Clay/Duval boarder so people who live in the area or co-workers of people who live out there might want to be extra careful. Sent the husband to work with wipes for his desk.
I'd rather be safe then sorry.
While this appears to be fizzling out... this has been a good drill. Epidemiologists have been warning for years of a coming bird flu pandemic. IT WILL HAPPEN. This has been good for companies to dust off their pandemic plans or get a committee going to come up with one. Workers and families need to figure out how to deal with hygiene, school closures, etc. City state and federal governments have activated plans, probably found problems, and are correcting them as we speak.
How many of us now have hand sanitizer at their desk... in the car etc...?
Remember folks... the pandemic will occur it is just a question of when.
Are you ready? :)
The Oakleaf school's 7th and 8th graders also come from other feeder schools in Clay County. (Argyle Elementary, Oakleaf Village Elementary, Plantation Oaks Elementary as well as the K-6th graders at Oakleaf School).
The kid is in the Jr High part. Cannot disclose further due to confidentiality. That kid rode a bus which is shared with Argyle Elementary. That kid could also live in one of the other neighborhoods that service the other elementary schools. If they played with friends who have younger siblings going to other schools, well you get the point.
It can be spread pretty fast.
Bird Flu Pandemic... Pulitzer winner Laurie Garrett, author of The Coming Plague...
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/laurie_garrett_on_lessons_from_the_1918_flu.html