Swine Flu epidemic in Mexico (and possibly US)

[Anonymous]

How many people typically die from the flu in Mexico every year? Does anyone know this?

[Anonymous]

I really don't see why the panick. Influenza kills over 35000 in US every year, this one seems mild so far. Promblem is we will all be sick at the same time. Get your Tamiflu ready.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Swine Flu Could Become More Dangerous

The swine flu virus that has killed more than 80 people in Mexico may mutate into a "more dangerous" strain, the World Health Organisation has warned. Skip related content
"It's quite possible for this virus to evolve... when viruses evolve, clearly they can become more dangerous to people," said Keiji Fukuda, of the global health watchdog.

Mr Fukuda also called for international vigilance as health experts wait to see whether the virus will turn into a worldwide pandemic.

Over 1,300 people are now thought to have contracted the virulent H1N1 swine influenza after it mutated into a form that spreads from human to human.

The Mayor of New York has confirmed that eight school children are suffering mild symptoms after becoming infected.

And there have been at least 12 other confirmed cases in Texas, Ohio, California and Kansas.

The White House has declared a public health emergency but told the public "not to panic".

better to get in sooner than after it becomes more dangerous, maybe a trip to mexico is in order

[Anonymous]

This is no different that any other strain of flu that makes it's rounds, except this version is one of the more mild ones. Me thinks you all love the drama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How long does the swine flu virus live on surfaces? I'm thinking peapod delivery....

Up to 48 hours on nonporous surfaces like doorknobs. Not very long on stuff like clothing.

2 hours!!

[Anonymous]

I am not freaked out by this, but would like to know that schools, work, etc have a plan in place in the off chance that cases in DC are confirmed and it is identified as a possible larger issue (Mexico levels). That is all, just acknowledgment that there could be a problem and operating procedures. I will be the last person to buy "duct tape", but would like to know that it has been thought through.

[Anonymous]

I don't have the links handy, but the District has been sending out notices through all the neighborhood listservs. So they are thinking about it...

[Anonymous]

I'm no pandemic flu expert but I am a public health official and I find some of these comments really disturbing.

The point of the media attention etc. is not so people will panic, but because pandemic can be caught and stopped if INDIVIDUALS pay attention and take necessary precautions. The spread or stopping of a pandemic is really in the hands of individuals and families, not public health folks, not the government.

Everyone needs to be aware this is happening so things can get reported accurately, tracked, and precautions taken. Flu is pretty contagious. If a serious strain evolves and becomes deadly it will spread very quickly.

No one is saying panic. The CDC is saying NOT to panic. They are saying to be aware, take precautions, etc.

[Anonymous]

A friend just returned back to DC from Mexico. She was vacationing on an island, far from mexico City. She says she has zero symptoms of sickness and "is totally fine". She wants to come by to visit me and I am seriously thinking I should hold off. I know i am being paranoid but i have 2 kids under 3 yrs...

Also, how long can she carry the flu (of any kind) before showing symptoms? In other words, could she be infected but not know it yet? could it be dormant for a few days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm no pandemic flu expert but I am a public health official and I find some of these comments really disturbing.

The point of the media attention etc. is not so people will panic, but because pandemic can be caught and stopped if INDIVIDUALS pay attention and take necessary precautions. The spread or stopping of a pandemic is really in the hands of individuals and families, not public health folks, not the government.

Everyone needs to be aware this is happening so things can get reported accurately, tracked, and precautions taken. Flu is pretty contagious. If a serious strain evolves and becomes deadly it will spread very quickly.

No one is saying panic. The CDC is saying NOT to panic. They are saying to be aware, take precautions, etc.

What comments are disturbing? The people in a panic or the people not sweating it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend just returned back to DC from Mexico. She was vacationing on an island, far from mexico City. She says she has zero symptoms of sickness and "is totally fine". She wants to come by to visit me and I am seriously thinking I should hold off. I know i am being paranoid but i have 2 kids under 3 yrs...

Also, how long can she carry the flu (of any kind) before showing symptoms? In other words, could she be infected but not know it yet? could it be dormant for a few days?

It really blows my mind that people come here with questions like this - why on earth would you ask here and believe the scores of different answers you may get as opposed to looking at the WHO website, CDC website, a local news site that has a list of info that is correct. A little bit of research at a legit health site goes a long way and will prevent any misinformation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm no pandemic flu expert but I am a public health official and I find some of these comments really disturbing.

The point of the media attention etc. is not so people will panic, but because pandemic can be caught and stopped if INDIVIDUALS pay attention and take necessary precautions. The spread or stopping of a pandemic is really in the hands of individuals and families, not public health folks, not the government.

Everyone needs to be aware this is happening so things can get reported accurately, tracked, and precautions taken. Flu is pretty contagious. If a serious strain evolves and becomes deadly it will spread very quickly.

No one is saying panic. The CDC is saying NOT to panic. They are saying to be aware, take precautions, etc.

What comments are disturbing? The people in a panic or the people not sweating it.

The idiot posters who are mocking the entire issue, making it a joke and essentially making fun of people who are taking it seriously and are concerned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm no pandemic flu expert but I am a public health official and I find some of these comments really disturbing.

The point of the media attention etc. is not so people will panic, but because pandemic can be caught and stopped if INDIVIDUALS pay attention and take necessary precautions. The spread or stopping of a pandemic is really in the hands of individuals and families, not public health folks, not the government.

Everyone needs to be aware this is happening so things can get reported accurately, tracked, and precautions taken. Flu is pretty contagious. If a serious strain evolves and becomes deadly it will spread very quickly.

No one is saying panic. The CDC is saying NOT to panic. They are saying to be aware, take precautions, etc.

What comments are disturbing? The people in a panic or the people not sweating it.

The idiot posters who are mocking the entire issue, making it a joke and essentially making fun of people who are taking it seriously and are concerned.

I think the idiots are the ones in a panic. I think they actually enjoy being in a panic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really don't see why the panick. Influenza kills over 35000 in US every year, this one seems mild so far. Promblem is we will all be sick at the same time. Get your Tamiflu ready.

What makes this flu different from the ones we get every year is that it is a new strand where very little (if not none) of the world population would have ANY immunities to. Every year when the flu comes around there is a chance that the strand is the one that everyone is vaccinated against, or part of it is something that a part of the population has seen before and is now immune. Swine Flu having just made the jump from animal to human, to human to human would be more of an issue...

No need to panic, but be aware.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking forward to re hashing this thread in 6 months after this thing completly fizzles out and we have moved onto the latest TB scare.

I'm with you!