WHO: Mexico swine flu has 'pandemic potential'

[seemslikeadream]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i_AZWy_CmwkfQ17w1-rP99e3xZnwD97PH4480



24 minutes ago

GENEVA (AP) — The head of the World Health Organization says the swine flu outbreak in Mexico and the United States could develop into a pandemic.

WHO Director-General Margaret Chan says the outbreak involves "an animal strain of the H1N1 virus, and it has pandemic potential."

Chan says it is too early to say whether a pandemic will actually occur.

The global health body has advised countries around the world to look out for similar outbreaks following the discovery of related strains on both sides of the Mexico-U.S. border.

At least 62 people in Mexico have died from pneumonia after contracting a flu-like virus. WHO says some tested positive for a strain that sickened at least seven in the southwestern U.S. No deaths have been reported in the U.S.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization has called an emergency meeting of experts Saturday to consider declaring an international public health emergency over the swine flu outbreak believed to have killed dozens of people in Mexico and sickened at least seven in the U.S.





http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8018020.stm


Authorities in Mexico are taking emergency measures to tackle an outbreak of a new kind of swine flu that is suspected of killing 60 people and infecting hundreds more.

Public events were suspended and residents wore face masks as concern grew over the outbreak.

World Health Organization's spokesman Gregory Hartl told the BBC they are 'very concerned'.

[madrchsod]

1. there was a "swine flu panic" in the 70`s

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5530337

i`m still alive and never took the "shot"....

[stray cat]

2. Your being here suggests you haven't died from a lot of diseases - so far so good

but all it takes is one....

[Joanne98]

3. I got the shot and I didn't have a cold for 10 years.

[Horse with no Name]

4. I am a believer in vaccination

However, as a healthcare provider in Texas I certainly hope that we are not mandated to do so.
If my memory serves me correctly, there was an upsurge of Guillain-Barré syndrome after the 1976 vaccine, and so far, this flu responds to treatment so I would opt NOT to do it at this time, if given the choice.

[seemslikeadream]

5. these is no vaccine for this one

[Horse with no Name]

7. they are frantically working on one

My guess is if they fear a worldwide pandemic, there will be one developed very soon.

[seemslikeadream]

11. yes I've been watching this really closely since last night, the kids in New York

is what got me worried

[Horse with no Name]

12. Yes. this is giving me some major concern.

On the outset, it looks like the "real thing". I sincerely hope I am wrong about that.:(

[seemslikeadream]

18. me too me too

The incubation is 3 to 4 days I believe, so it's got a jump on the CDC

[FedUpWithIt All]

14. They already have the "seed". They are having an emergency conference today

to discuss how to move forward.

[underpants]

6. How does it spread? I read the article but it doesn't say

:shrug:

human-to-human or could it be avian carried? in the food?

I don't know

[Horse with no Name]

8. Human to human

That is the major concern.

[underpants]

10. Found this too. People with no history of contact with pigs are getting it

How you can have "no contact" with pigs in this day and age is beyond me :shrug:

Unlike recent bird flu cases, where people who became ill had contact with infected birds, it appears that this strain of swine flu is infecting people with no history of contact with animals, according to Canadian infectious disease specialist Dr. Neil Rau.

"What is concerning is that even though it has the word swine flu, meaning it originates from pigs, people who get this infection have no history of contact with pigs," Rau said Saturday during an interview on CTV Newsnet.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090425/swine_flu_090425/20090425?hub=TopStories

[FedUpWithIt All]

17. I think they mean living animals. And contracting SF this without contact is extremely rare. n/t

[seemslikeadream]

9. This one is a combination of 4 or 5 different strains

I'm looking for that link

[spin]

13. Link is here...

It first looked mostly like a swine virus but closer analysis showed it is a never-before-seen mixture of swine, human and avian viruses, according to the CDC.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N24524032.htm

[seemslikeadream]

16. Thanks

:hi:

[underpants]

19. Thanks

:hi:

[FedUpWithIt All]

15. Although WHO has not raised the level to 4, they admit it is human to human.

[seemslikeadream]

20. I wonder why the New York students are not being included in the U.S. number?

cause that would take it from 6 to 81!

[FedUpWithIt All]

21. They have not been confirmed.

The tests are pending.


Did you see this?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/8018428.stm

200 fatalities?

[seemslikeadream]

22. The local news is reporting 200 fatalities !!

Damn I just read that link and missed that

[seemslikeadream]

23. I wonder if that is a typo? 20 - 200 deaths

[FedUpWithIt All]

24. More than one person used that number...

Readers in Mexico have been emailing the BBC describing the sense of fear gripping the country as a result of a flu virus outbreak, which has so far claimed up to 60 lives.

The World Health Organization says the virus has the potential to become a pandemic.

Read a selection of BBC readers' comments below.

I work as a resident doctor in one of the biggest hospitals in Mexico City and sadly, the situation is far from "under control". As a doctor, I realise that the media does not report the truth. Authorities distributed vaccines among all the medical personnel with no results, because two of my partners who worked in this hospital (interns) were killed by this new virus in less than six days even though they were vaccinated as all of us were.

The official number of deaths is 20, nevertheless, the true number of victims are more than 200.

I understand that we must avoid to panic, but telling the truth it might be better now to prevent and avoid more deaths.

Yesterday in my office it was a bit surreal walking in to see all in blue masks with deep cleansing of computer equipment and surfaces going on. Let's hope it is contained and does not escalate.

The local news is reporting 200 fatalities and reports of flu spreading from areas outside of Mexico City.

Given the volume of daily commuter traffic on cramped busses and trains, this may not have to be too virulent to be disastrous in human terms. I wonder what controls there will be on flights in and out.

Will Shea, Mexico City

I work for the government as a head of a computer infrastructure operations department. At work we are doing several actions to try not to expose workers. We sent several home. I support the Pumas football team and the very important match with the Guadalajara team will be played behind closed doors. My family and I are going to stay home all weekend.

We feel a little scared and confused with the feeling that we are not given being told the truth. Many people think the numbers of dead people is higher than we are being told.

Marcos, Mexico City

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/8018428.stm

[seemslikeadream]

25. thanks for pointing that out