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The Mexican Swine Flu Epidemic
Topic Started: Apr 25 2009, 08:51 AM (5,079 Views)
sceptical



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

When it is absolutely necessary to enter a crowded setting or to have close contact3 with persons who might be ill, the time spent in that setting should be as short as possible. If used correctly, facemasks and respirators can help prevent some exposures, but they should be used along with other preventive measures, such as avoiding close contact and maintaining good hand hygiene. When crowded settings or close contact with others cannot be avoided, the use of facemasks1 or respirators2 in areas where transmission of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus has been confirmed should be considered as follows:

Whenever possible, rather than relying on the use of facemasks or respirators, close contact with people who might be ill and being in crowded settings should be avoided.
Facemasks1 should be considered for use by individuals who enter crowded settings, both to protect their nose and mouth from other people's coughs and to reduce the wearers' likelihood of coughing on others; the time spent in crowded settings should be as short as possible.
Respirators2 should be considered for use by individuals for whom close contact with an infectious person is unavoidable. This can include selected individuals who must care for a sick person (e.g., family member with a respiratory infection) at home.
These interim recommendations will be revised as new information about the use of facemasks and respirators in the current setting becomes available.

For more information about human infection with swine influenza virus, visit the CDC Swine Flu website.

1 Unless otherwise specified, the term "facemasks" refers to disposable masks cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as medical devices. This includes facemasks labeled as surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation, or laser masks. Such facemasks have several designs. One type is affixed to the head with two ties, conforms to the face with the aid of a flexible adjustment for the nose bridge, and may be flat/pleated or duck-billed in shape. Another type of facemask is pre-molded, adheres to the head with a single elastic band, and has a flexible adjustment for the nose bridge. A third type is flat/pleated and affixes to the head with ear loops. Facemasks cleared by the FDA for use as medical devices have been determined to have specific levels of protection from penetration of blood and body fluids.

2 Unless otherwise specified, "respirator" refers to an N95 or higher filtering facepiece respirator certified by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

3 Three feet has often been used by infection control professionals to define close contact and is based on studies of respiratory infections; however, for practical purposes, this distance may range up to 6 feet. The World Health Organization uses "approximately 1 meter"; the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration uses "within 6 feet." For consistency with these estimates, this document defines close contact as a distance of up to 6 feet.

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Baldo
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I have been to Mexico City and rode those subways. They have about 2-3 million riders a day. Many lines are so packed and they are pushed and pushed into compartments like sardines. During many hours it is body to body with no room between. The train attendants push people into the cars to close the doors. It is that bad. It doesn't surprise me that a human to human disease could spread like wildfire there. I am sure tens of thousands or more have been exposed already

For a long time we have been hearing warnings about how transmission can spread quickly because of air travel. It appears we now have reality.

Edited by Baldo, Apr 26 2009, 08:59 AM.
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Kerri P.
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30398682
New U.S. swine flu cases spread pandemic fears
2 cases found in Kansas and 8 more likely in NYC

updated 1 hour, 53 minutes ago

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.

So far, there have been at least 11 confirmed cases of swine flu in California, Texas and Kansas. Patients have ranged in age from 9 to over 50. At least two were hospitalized. All recovered or are recovering.

snip...
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sceptical

Updated numbers from CDC:


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

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection State # of laboratory
confirmed cases
California 7 cases
Kansas 2 cases
New York City 8 cases
Ohio 1 case
Texas 2 cases
TOTAL COUNT 20 cases
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
See: World Health Organization
As of April 26, 2009 9:00 AM ET
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Kerri P.
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http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/world/story/5026794/
Swine flu fears prompt quarantine plans, pork bans
Posted: Today at 9:55 a.m.
Updated: Today at 11:16 a.m.

GENEVA — Countries planned quarantines, tightened rules on pork imports and tested airline passengers for fevers as global health officials tried Sunday to come up with uniform ways to battle a deadly strain of swine flu. Nations from New Zealand to France reported new suspected cases and some warned citizens against travel to North America.

World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan held teleconferences with staff and flu experts around the world but stopped short of recommending specific measures to halt the disease beyond urging governments to step up their surveillance of suspicious outbreaks.

Governments including China, Russia and Taiwan began planning to put anyone with symptoms of the deadly virus under quarantine.

Others were increasing their screening of pigs and pork imports from the Americas or banning them outright despite health officials' reassurances that it was safe to eat thoroughly cooked pork.

Some nations issued travel warnings for Mexico and the United States.

Chan called the outbreak a public health emergency of "pandemic potential" because the virus can pass from human to human.

snip...
Edited by Kerri P., Apr 26 2009, 12:01 PM.
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~J~ is in Wonderland
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~J~ is in Wonderland
HHS declared- according to Napolitano: Public Health Declaration



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sceptical

http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_26/en/index.html

From the World Health Organization:

Swine flu illness in the United States and Mexico - update 2

26 April 2009 -- As of 26 April 2009, the United States Government has reported 20 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 (8 in New York, 7 in California, 2 in Texas, 2 in Kansas and 1 in Ohio). All 20 cases have had mild Influenza-Like Illness with only one requiring brief hospitalization. No deaths have been reported. All 20 viruses have the same genetic pattern based on preliminary testing. The virus is being described as a new subtype of A/H1N1 not previously detected in swine or humans.

Also as of 26 April, the Government of Mexico has reported 18 laboratory confirmed cases of swine influenza A/H1N1. Investigation is continuing to clarify the spread and severity of the disease in Mexico. Suspect clinical cases have been reported in 19 of the country's 32 states.

WHO and the Global Alert and Response Network (GOARN) are sending experts to Mexico to work with health authorities. WHO and its partners are actively investigating reports of suspect cases in other Member States as they occur, and are supporting field epidemiology activities, laboratory diagnosis and clinical management.

On Saturday, 24 April, upon the advice of the Emergency Committee called under the rules of the International Health Regulations, the Director-General declared this event a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

WHO is not recommending any travel or trade restrictions.

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Kerri P.
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30398682/?GT1=43001
U.S. declares swine flu public health emergency
20 cases have been confirmed so far in the U.S.; up to 81 killed in Mexico

updated 23 minutes ago

Government officials have declared a public health emergency in connection with the swine flu outbreak that has killed dozens in Mexico and sickened 20 in the U.S., said the nation’s director of Homeland Security said Sunday.

Janet Napolitano also said border patrol agents have been directed to begin passive surveillance of travelers from Mexico, with instructions to isolate anyone who appears actively ill with suspected influenza.

The number of cases confirmed in the United States by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now 20, including eight New York City high school students. Other cases are in Ohio, California, Texas and Kansas. Patients have ranged in age from 9 to over 50.

“As we look for swine flu, we are seeing more cases of swine flu and we expect to see more cases of swine flu," said Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the CDC, during a White House press conference Sunday. "We view this more as a marathon."

Napolitano said the emergency declaration is a warning, not an actual imminent emergency, similar to preparing for a hurricane.

"I wish we could call it a declaration of emergency preparedness,” Napolitano said.

Besser noted that compared to cases in Mexico, “what we’re seeing in this country is mild disease,” nothing that the U.S. cases would not have been detected without increased surveillance.

“The real important take away is that we have an outbreak of a new infectious disease that we’re addressing aggressively,” Besser said. He said he still can’t say why cases in U.S. are so much milder than the deadly cases in Mexico where up to 81 have died and more than 1,300 have been sickened since April 13.

snip....
Edited by Kerri P., Apr 26 2009, 01:07 PM.
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brittany

mike in houston
Apr 25 2009, 10:33 PM
I don't know if I have the swine flu or the regular old kind, but this is the worst case that I ever had. The worst part is the shortness of breath. I have to sit down for awhile after climbing the stairs. It started four days ago with a sore throat. Seems to be abating somewhat this evening, thank God.
Go to the Dr. or hospital immediately!
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brittany

Swines like Ohio,too.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/health/bal-swine-flu-ohio-national0426,0,7512832.story
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Baldo
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We must remain calm and be scientific. Eating Pork does not cause this illness. This disease appears to be spread by human to human contact as witness it speed of spread

About the only action we can do as private citizens is follow the guidelines posted in this thread from the CDC.

I don't know where this is headed and how serious it is. But above all common sense must be used and hopefully we can trust our Heath-care Professionals to do what is prudent and needed.



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teddy bear

Good time to close the Mexican border.
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~J~ is in Wonderland
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~J~ is in Wonderland
teddy bear
Apr 26 2009, 04:53 PM
Good time to close the Mexican border.
:)
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Tidbits

sceptical
Apr 26 2009, 08:39 AM
the above quote is from the 3M company which makes respirators and has a commercial interest in their use.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3M-ESPE/dental-professionals/products/category/infection-control/face-masks/
Quote:
 
All 3M ESPE dental face masks comply with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standards and meet CDC Guidelines for Isolation Precaution, when worn properly and in combination with a face shield or other eye protection.

3M ESPE face masks are fluid resistant to help reduce potential exposure of the wearer to blood and body fluids.

3M™ ESPE™ Triple Layer Molded Face Mask


Posted Image
Quote:
 

The most advanced molded mask on the market. Its fluid-resistant outer layer helps to shield against blood and saliva. The middle layer is constructed of electrostatically charged microfibers that capture minute airborne particles. And the soft, absorbent inside layer soaks up moisture and provides gentle contact with your skin.

The 3M™ ESPE™ Triple Layer Face Maskoffers >99% Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) at a mean particle size of 5.0 microns to help reduce patient contamination caused by exhaled microorganisms.

Available in regular and petite sizes.


Posted Image

Quote:
 
The 3M™ ESPE™ Triple Layer Face Mask offers a molded design unlike any other: a fluid-resistant outer layer, a microfiber middle layer which traps airborne particles, and a soft, absorbent inside layer which soaks up moisture.

Posted Image
Quote:
 
Known as the industry standard, this comfortable face mask offers proven fluid resistance and ›99% BFE at a mean particle size of 4.0 microns. Available in two colors: blue and rose.


For those who prefer a flat mask, 3M ESPE offers two very comfortable, fluid-resistant choices:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3M-ESPE/dental-professionals/products/category/infection-control/face-masks/


http://www.amazon.com/3M-1860-RESPIRATOR-SURGICAL-SPECIAL/dp/B000QGGKQG

http://www.grainger.com/production/info/3m-products.htm

Maybe not suitable?
Posted Image
http://www.toolsforless.com/product/8895/3M_6200_Respirator_Mask


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Baldo
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Posted Image

Pumas soccer players line up in an empty Olimpico stadium before their game against Chivas in Mexico City April 26, 2009. Fears of a global swine flu pandemic grew with new infections in the United States and Canada on Sunday, and millions of Mexicans hid indoors to avoid a virus that has already killed up to 81 people. Mexico City, one of the world's biggest cities, practically ground to a halt on Sunday with restaurants, cinemas and churches closing their doors and millions staying at home as officials tested 1,300 suspect cases

We haven't begun to understand the economics of this.
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