BBC: More than 200 dead from swine flu in Mexico?

[bananas]

The BBC has selected some emails they are receiving - the first one is from a doctor in Mexico City,
who says: "The official number of deaths is 20, nevertheless, the true number of victims are more than 200."
Another person in Mexico City writes: "The local news is reporting 200 fatalities".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/8018428.stm

Mexico flu: Your experiences

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.
Yeny Gregorio Dávila, Mexico City

<snip>

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

<snip>

[Mike 03]

1. I take these reports deadly seriously, but you risk making a fool of yourself posting

this here, where everyone is laughing at this pandemic which these DU experts think is just a figment of our imagination.

My philosophy is to err on the side of caution, just in case.

[GCP]

4. Yeah, they're all such epidemiology experts

:sarcasm:

[Mike 03]

5. You don't need to be sarcastic with me.

I hope you are right and this is just a big stupid BS carny scare.

[GCP]

24. I wasn't being sarcastic at you

I'm angry at the people here who just pull stuff out of their asses about conspiracies between the CDC and Big Pharma.

[dkf]

6. Who is laughing?

This is scary stuff.

[northernlights]

9. it's not yet a pandemic

But you are right that it is better to be safe than sorry. A little extra hand washing and re-stocking up doesn't hurt.

[FedUpWithIt All]

10. I remember watching a poster get heckled for trying to warn of a catastrophe called Katrina

A few days later the fun was over.

This flu could end up being nothing. Or like that hurricane, it could be very bad. Talking and educating ourselves is not something that should be mocked and insulted. But there are some who feel that they are somehow entitled to belittle others and their concerns. It should not stop the rest of us from engaging in debate. Let others continue their boring tirades. I am concerned with learning what i can to protect myself and my loved ones while life continues on in an otherwise normal fashion.

[GCP]

2. This is scary stuff

Is there anything much about it on the American networks?

[bicentennial_baby]

8. I saw an MSNBC article that mentions suspected cases in MA

x(

[FedUpWithIt All]

13. MSNBC removed MA as one of the suspect locals.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30398682/

They did not remove MN.

[bicentennial_baby]

14. Whew!

Thanks for that info. :)

[MercutioATC]

3. Really doesn't matter to me...I'm prepared whether it's 2 deaths or 2000.

Unfortunately, this report will be used as a source of contention here at DU rather than a reminder that it's easier to be prepared than to be sorry.

[seemslikeadream]

7. Those are emails and I have been trying to track this down all day

and yes I have been called very name in the book for even posting too many threads about the flu


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5531914&mesg_id=5531914

[bananas]

15. Thanks, I didn't see that. nt

[seemslikeadream]

16. I wish we could track this down

things seem really bad down there, who knows what the truth is

[seemslikeadream]

11. There are confirmed cases in New York now, they are checking a daycare center

they wouldn't name yet, 200 sick kids that's up from 75 last night in NY after traveling to Mexico and I am a fool to even mention that President Obama traveled to Mexico a short time ago

[dalaigh lllama]

17. I had thought of his trip there, too

[Control-Z]

18. I posted about President Obama

'Pres Obama greeted by Swine Flu victim who died following day'

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5534698&mesg_id=5534698

[rainbow4321]

12. Wonder if the deaths happened at this hospital...

From one report a few days ago:

Medical students at Central Hospital in San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi State “abandon” their posts.



Most recent:

Mexico City doctor claims number of fatal swine influenza cases is 200; says vaccine ineffective and notes healthcare worker deaths.
12 minutes ago from web

http://twitter.com/veratect

[Control-Z]

19. I take the email

possibly more seriously than news reports.

I live with my children in So Cal, so this whole matter is something I must take seriously.

[struggle4progress]

20. 81 feared dead from swine flu in Mexico as disease spreads

Agence France-Presse | 04/26/2009 6:50 PM

Printer-friendly version | Send to friend

MEXICO CITY - Mexicans took new precautions Sunday amid fears that a new flu epidemic believed to have killed up to 81 people in the country could reach "pandemic" proportions and spread to the United States and worldwide.

Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova raised the probable death toll from the new multi-strain swine flu in Mexico to 81, including 20 already confirmed.

Earlier, Mexican President Felipe Calderon published an order giving his government extraordinary powers to tackle the deadly outbreak, as at least two new cases were reported in the United States, bringing the total infected there to 10.

"This virus has clearly a pandemic potential," World Health Organization director general, Margaret Chan, said on Saturday ... http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/world/04/26/09/81-feared-dead-swine-flu-mexico-disease-spreads

[struggle4progress]

21. NZ quarantines 25 people amid swine flu alert

Apr 26 2009 3:04AM
Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand says 25 students and teachers are being tested for swine flu after returning from Mexico, which is trying to contain an outbreak.

Officials say the group, some of whom have flu-like symptoms, have been quarantined ... http://www.kxmd.com/getArticle.asp?ArticleId=366749

[struggle4progress]

22. Israeli man hospitalised on suspicion of swine flu: hospital

A 26-year-old Israeli man has been hospitalised after returning from a trip to Mexico on suspicion of contacting swine flu, hospital officials told AFP on Sunday.

The man checked into the Laniado hospital in the coastal city of Netanya with flu-like symptoms and doctors were trying to determine whether he had contracted the potentially fatal flu strain, they said.

"He came back from Mexico on Friday night and was hospitalised on Saturday night," a hospital spokeswoman told AFP. "He is running a high fever."

It marks the first suspected case of swine flu reported in Israel and the Middle East ... http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=mideast&item=090426110012.fak9diuk.php

[struggle4progress]

23. NY awaits confirmation of probable swine flu cases

By VERENA DOBNIK
Associated Press Writer

NYC School Closed Over Swine Flu Concerns

NEW YORK (AP) -- Students at a New York City high school could learn as early as Sunday if the flu that sickened them was the same strain of the human swine influenza that has killed people in Mexico.

Preliminary tests of samples taken from sick students' noses and throats confirmed that at least eight had a non-human strain of influenza type A, indicating probable cases of swine flu, city health officials said. The exact subtypes were still unknown, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was conducting further tests ... http://herald-zeitung.com/wire.lasso?report=/dynamic/stories/U/US_SWINE_FLU_STATES&-session=HeraldZeitung:42F949F70a60d363BFsIk346157E