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Swine Flu epidemic in Mexico (and possibly US)
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Anonymous
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"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."
This is different as it is a new strain as opposed to a mutation of an existing strain. In a mutation of an existing strain, the vaccine may not catch it but enough of the population may have enough immunity to keep it from reaching pandemic proportions. In a new strain that health officials have not seen in human populations, they do not know whether anyone has any immunity to it at all. There have been alot of cases in various places within a very short time which is heightening the concern. Should you go out and board yourself in? No. Should you laugh and never worry? No. There isn't much you can do beyond simple precautions and taking the extra step of going to the doctor if you have flu like symptoms. People usually don't go to the doctor when they have the flu and with the economy going down more people do not have insurance and may not go in. Some degree of public 'panic' is actually good so people will go see a health professional and officials will then have a better idea of what and how fast this is spreading. For travelers, its good to get a heads up that if the area you are traveling to or from has an outbreak, then you may get stuck somewhere. If you are OK with this fine but if it would freak you out you may want to consider alternate plans. |
Anonymous
If I had one, I definitely wouldn't be posting on DCUM! 
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Anonymous
Why do you have to be so MEAN about it? You just made me feel really shitty and stupid. Is this what you are like with your husband, your friends, colleagues, children? I pity them. You are a grouchy negative person! |
Anonymous
My husband and children are resourceful and I care for them. Of course I would not be mean to them. I don't know you and I stand by what I said. Go look it up at a legit site. |
Anonymous
I found some of the comments making fun of concerned folks disturbing. I haven't seen anyone in a panic on this boad - just concern. It sounds to me like some of the folks making fun are pissed this is even being reported. The point of raising awareness at this stage is so folks can make sure they have a plan in place - what would I do if my daycare center was closed? What would I do as a manager if my office was closed - do I and the people reporting to me have access to networks etc. from home so we can get some work done? Things like that can be thought out ahead of time to minimize impact. And of course, things like basic infection control can always be practiced. |
Anonymous
OP here: PP, I don't think the WHO website will really be able to answer your question, and there are conflicting reports everywhere. This is a novel virus, and no one really knows much of anything about it, in my opinion. Here is what we do know: The swine flu is very likely being spread person to person. It seems more severe in Mexico than elsewhere, and of the cases now popping up all over the world, it seems many are from people who just returned from Mexico. See the following article explaining how the EU now has a warning on travel to US and Mexico. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090427/ap_on_re_eu/swine_flu_world In light of that, and because you have young children, I'd say you are well within your rights to act with an abundance of caution with regards to your friend. But that's just me. Flu does spread before symptoms show, and if you would avoid exposure to the flu with your children in general, you might want to avoid the possible exposure in this case. Swine flu prompts EU warning on travel to US By DANIEL WOOLLS, Associated Press Writer Daniel Woolls, Associated Press Writer – 36 mins ago MADRID – The top EU health official urged Europeans on Monday to postpone nonessential travel to parts of the United States and Mexico because of the swine flu virus. A young man in Spain and two people in Scotland have come down with swine flu following trips to Mexico, health officials said, in what were the first cases reported outside North America. The World Health Organization said it is still awaiting official reports from the U.K. about the Scottish cases. Russia, Hong Kong and Taiwan said they would quarantine visitors showing symptoms of the virus amid a surging global concern about a possible pandemic. |
Anonymous
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Christ-- this DC pollen is kicking my ass. Strollers are yellow, cars are yellow and I feel like I've been run over by a bus for 3 weeks now. ,,,,if I were more of a hypochondriac I think I'd contracted swine flu already!
Wait and see. Flu epidemics every 20 years--- we are overdue. However, this could just fizzle out like the Asian bird flu a few years back---let's all hope that is the case. I am a microbiologist with alot of training in epidemiology and every textbook used the 1918 flu epidemic as an example. While we are better off medically/hygenically than in 1918--- we are sooooo much more global that it could really go like wildfire if it were the real deal. Geez--- as freaky as I am I haven't even thought of stocking up on flu essentials. Some of you could make Woody Allen look sane. I am waiting to start seeing masks and gloves on the Metro this week. |
Anonymous
So what is your take on the EU recommending no travel to the US today? Overreaction? |
Anonymous
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WHO raises pandemic alert to phase 4 (just in 10 minutes ago)
msnbc.com staff and news service reports updated 9 minutes ago The World Health Organization has raised its pandemic alert for swine flu by one level to phase 4, two steps short of declaring a full-blown pandemic. WHO says the phase 4 alert means sustained human-to-human transmission is causing outbreaks in at least one country. It signals a significant increase in the risk of a global epidemic, but doesn't mean a pandemic is inevitable. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30398682/?GT1=43001 |
Anonymous
Nope. Close the borders. |
Anonymous
| FYI: WHO raised pandemic alert to 4 globally today. |
Anonymous
the latest news has scared the cr*p out of me... |
Anonymous
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I'm not the pp who said some comments are disturbing, but I agree with him/her.
To give an example:
A twofer: misinformed and mocking. Luckily, the 40 cases reported in the US thus far have been mild, and hopefully that will continue. The current swine flu strain is a reassortant virus to which humans likely have little immunity and the deaths in Mexico have been among previously healthy patients, not among the v young and elderly as would be expected. The WHO has verified sustained human-to-human transimition and today raised the alert level to 4. I posted upthread that we do have some supplies/food/meds stocked in event of emergency and that being prepared is a simple step that helps me not worry about events I can't prevent or control. It's an easy thing to do and, in my view, it's part of being a responsible citizen. That said, I think the way the media reports these stories (cue ominous music, scary graphics, and soundbites without practical details) isn't helpful and leads to panic rather than people being informed and taking simple practical steps. Some pps on this thread have posted really good links. If we can spend minutes/hours browsing DCUM, what harm is there devoting a few minutes to becoming informed? just my .02 |
Anonymous
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RUN FOR COVER!!!!!! Now 41 people have it in the US. This is making the Ebola scare look like a picnic!! Level 4 alert level 4 alert!! Call out the national guard, declare marshal law, declare a curfew, where is my surgical mask?? Must remember to inhale exhale...
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Anonymous
| I think this could be a big deal, except for the fact that so far no one who has gotten it in the US has been seriously sick. All the predictions about it spreading like wildfire could end up being correct, but if most of us get sick and then get well, what's the big deal? Did the people in Mexico who died not have access to Tamiflu? (FYI, I stocked up on essentials today, because like a PP said, what could it hurt?) |