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The Mexican Swine Flu Epidemic
Topic Started: Apr 25 2009, 08:51 AM (5,080 Views)
Concerned
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MikeinHouston, sorry you're sick! Did you go to the doctor?

There's a 3rd possible case now in a high school near San Antonio. They are temporarily shutting down the school. 24 new cases today in Mexico City.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/6391960.html
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retiredLEO
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This must be why we need to keep the border open, so Mexico can spread the joy of the flu.
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Clowns
Apr 25 2009, 06:22 PM
http://www.wral.com/news/science/story/5025213/
Swine flu worse in Mexico than US, but why?
Posted: 9 minutes ago

ATLANTA — Why has the swine flu engulfing Mexico been deadly there, but not in the United States?

. . .
Americans are so filled with racist venom that even viruses are poisoned! :biggrin:
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Deleted User
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Another politically incorrect thought. What happens to a good Muslim if a member of his family gets a SWINE flue? We know what happens in certain parts of Afghanistan to a girl that (say) exposes her face to a stranger: she is killed by her father or some other male relative (nice people, these Afghanis!). Surely, getting a SWINE flue is at least as impious as exposing one's face?

Come to think of it, what will our own Husein do if one of his daughters - or Michelle - gets a swine flue? :think:
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Concerned
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I never would have imagined a burka being good for anything - but it just might work as protective gear for swine flu!

You won't find me wearing one, though!
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Concerned
Apr 25 2009, 11:28 PM
I never would have imagined a burka being good for anything - but it just might work as protective gear for swine flu!

You won't find me wearing one, though!
Never say never. What if it becomes the law of the land - during Obama's 4-th term in the office? :uhoh:
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sceptical

This is potentially a very serious development. There has been concern for years about a new pandemic of influenza, which keeps mutating every few decades.

Key questions, among others, are:

1) If there human-human transmission? The Mexico experience says yes.
2) Do anti-virals like Tamiflu or Relenza work? Unknown
3) How much is the new strain similar to previous influenza A strains? Does vaccination with the 2008 vaccine help protect? Unknown.
4) What is the case fatality rate? The Mexico experience suggests it is significant.
5) Is the fatal pneumonia from the virus itself, or is it a secondary bacterial pneumonia? If so, are antibiotics preventative for the bacterial pneumonia?
6) Do public health measures (closing schools, etc.) prevent spread of the virus?
7) Are hospitals equipped to treat large numbers of people with pneumonia?
8) How fast can a new vaccine be developed for this strain of influenza A?

The latest is that there have been 81 deaths in Mexico:
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/265940,extra-influenza-death-toll-rises-to-81-in-mexico.html

For what is known so far see:
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_24/en/index.html
Edited by sceptical, Apr 25 2009, 11:46 PM.
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sceptical


The Swine Influenza A/H1N1 viruses characterized in this outbreak have not been previously detected in pigs or humans. The viruses so far characterized have been sensitive to oseltamivir, but resistant to both amantadine and rimantadine.

According to this WHO report, the virus is sensitive to Tamiflu (oseltamivir) in the test tube, but the question remains whether it is clinically protective. Even if it is, there are limited supplies of Tamiflu.

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2close2durham

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?LLLLLLuS1X&Leo4Lyo4LLlvv3wHkkkkJ-

Respirators and Surgical Masks: A Comparison

Because certain disposable respirators are similar in appearance to many surgical/procedure masks, their differences are not always well understood. However, respirators and surgical masks are very different in intended use, fit against the face, wear time, testing and approval. The purpose of this document is to highlight some of these differences.
The biggest difference between a respirator and a surgical mask is the intended use.

Respirators are designed to help reduce the wearer’s respiratory exposure to airborne contaminants such as particles, gases or vapors. Particulate respirators may be used to reduce exposure to particles that are small enough to be inhaled - particles less than 100 microns (μm) in size. This includes airborne particles that may contain biological material, e.g. mold, Bacillus anthracis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the virus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), etc.

Surgical masks do not have either adequate filtering or fitting attributes to provide respiratory protection for the wearer. They are designed to help prevent contamination of the work environment or sterile field from large particles generated by the wearer (e.g. spit, mucous). Surgical masks may also be used to help reduce the risk of splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions and excretions from reaching the wearer’s mouth and nose.
snip
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Kerri P.
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I heard on CNN this morning that there have been confirmed cases in CA, TX, & Still waiting to find out the results on these three states K.S., O.K., & N.Y.


The tests for N.Y. are do back sometime Sunday.
Edited by Kerri P., Apr 26 2009, 07:06 AM.
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sceptical

For the latest from the CDC investigation, bookmark the following:

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm

Here's their report from last night:

Human Swine Influenza Investigation
April 25, 2009 19:30 EDT

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the U.S. in San Diego County and Imperial County, California as well as in San Antonio, Texas. Internationally, human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in Mexico.

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
State # of laboratory
confirmed cases
California 7 cases
Texas 2 cases
Kansas 2 cases
TOTAL COUNT 11 cases
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
See: World Health Organization
As of April 25th, 2009 7:30 p.m. EDT

Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with similar swine influenza viruses.

CDC is working very closely with state and local officials in California, Texas, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. On April 24th, CDC deployed 7 epidemiologists to San Diego County, California and Imperial County, California and 1 senior medical officer to Texas to provide guidance and technical support for the ongoing epidemiologic field investigations. CDC has also deployed to Mexico 1 medical officer and 1 senior expert who are part of a global team that is responding to the outbreak of respiratory illnesses in Mexico.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. There are many things you can to do preventing getting and spreading influenza:

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.
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~J~ is in Wonderland
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~J~ is in Wonderland
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517956,00.html

10 New Zealand Students 'Likely' Have Swine Flu

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand's health minister said Sunday 10 students who just returned from Mexico have tested positive for influenza. He said the cases are "likely" to be swine flu.

Tony Ryall said there was "no guarantee" the students had swine flu, but that health officials were taking precautions.

At least 81 people have died from severe pneumonia caused by a flu-like illness in Mexico, according to the World Health Organization, which declared the virus a public health emergency of "pandemic potential."

Ryall said that none of the patients were seriously ill and seemed to be recovering.

Thirteen high school students from a group of 25 students and teachers — who were quarantined and tested for swine influenza upon returning to New Zealand early Saturday.

"Ten students have tested positive for Influenza A, and these results will now be sent to the World Health Organization laboratory in Melbourne to ascertain whether it is the H1N1 swine influenza."

H1N1 influenza is a subset of influenza A.

snip
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~J~ is in Wonderland
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~J~ is in Wonderland
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2009/04/26/obamas-health-fine-trip-mexico/100days/

Obama's Health Fine After Trip to Mexico
President Barack Obama's health is fine a little more than a week after he traveled to Mexico



snip-
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Baldo
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Thanks for the knowledge about using surgical masks vs respirators. I didn't know that.

Mike in Houston take good care of yourself and maybe its a good idea to call your doc anyway despite feeling better. The data may be useful for the Medical Authorities.

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sceptical

2close2durham
Apr 26 2009, 06:17 AM
http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?LLLLLLuS1X&Leo4Lyo4LLlvv3wHkkkkJ-

Respirators and Surgical Masks: A Comparison

Because certain disposable respirators are similar in appearance to many surgical/procedure masks, their differences are not always well understood. However, respirators and surgical masks are very different in intended use, fit against the face, wear time, testing and approval. The purpose of this document is to highlight some of these differences.
The biggest difference between a respirator and a surgical mask is the intended use.

Respirators are designed to help reduce the wearer’s respiratory exposure to airborne contaminants such as particles, gases or vapors. Particulate respirators may be used to reduce exposure to particles that are small enough to be inhaled - particles less than 100 microns (μm) in size. This includes airborne particles that may contain biological material, e.g. mold, Bacillus anthracis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the virus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), etc.

Surgical masks do not have either adequate filtering or fitting attributes to provide respiratory protection for the wearer. They are designed to help prevent contamination of the work environment or sterile field from large particles generated by the wearer (e.g. spit, mucous). Surgical masks may also be used to help reduce the risk of splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions and excretions from reaching the wearer’s mouth and nose.
snip
While the above is correct, surgical masks are helpful when respirators are not available or not practical.

If surgical masks are used, they need to be changed regularly and need to be attached firmly.

Also, the above quote is from the 3M company which makes respirators and has a commercial interest in their use.





While surgical masks do not protect the wearer completely, they do reduce the exposure of other people if the wearer is infected.
Edited by sceptical, Apr 26 2009, 08:42 AM.
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