Swine Flu Update from the CDC

[bdk]

There was an earlier thread on this I couldn't find, but for those who are interested, here is what the CDC says...

Swine Flu Update

In mid-March 2009, an outbreak of human infections with a new strain of swine flu was reported in Mexico. In late March and early April 2009, human infections with swine flu were reported in southern California and Texas. Human infections in other states have subsequently occurred. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is conducting an investigation into the spread of swine flu, and current information about conditions in the United States can be found here:

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

General Information

Swine flu is a type of respiratory disease commonly found in pigs, caused by type A influenza viruses. The disease normally does not infect people, but swine flu can and has caused sporadic human illness, usually among people with direct exposure to pigs. Some cases of swine flu resulting from human-to-human transmission have been documented. While some people who work around pigs may have developed immunity to the swine flu virus, it is likely that most people are susceptible to infection. If the swine flu virus develops efficient person-to-person transmission, the disease will be able to spread among human populations.

Swine flu infection in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe, with pneumonia and respiratory illness. Symptoms in humans are similar to those seen among persons infected with typical seasonal influenza - fever, coughs, body aches, headaches, fatigue, and runny or stuffy nose. While most cases reported in the United States over the past few decades have not resulted in deaths, some fatalities have occurred.

Persons infected with swine flu may be contagious as long as they exhibit symptoms, and up to 7 days after onset of their illness. As with seasonal influenza, you can reduce your chances of being infected with swine flu, or infecting others, by taking the following precautions:

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 hand cleaners are also effective.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Travel Advice and Recommendations

The CDC publishes Travel Notices. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx

More information about swine flu

General information from the CDC http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
International updates - World Health Organization http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
Frequently Asked Questions - World Health Organization http://www.who.int/csr/swine_flu/swine_ ... 6april.pdf
Taking care of a sick person in your home http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance_homecare.htm

Information for Clinicians

CDC Health Advisory http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/pdf/HAN_042509.pdf
CDC Antiviral Recommendations http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/recommendations.htm
CDC Facemask and Respirator Recommendations http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/masks.htm

Please refrain from commenting on the geopolitical aspects of this!

[Paul Krumrei]

I guess this means no more sneaking to the barn at night for some people.

[bax101]

so great how this had to come about right around the weekend when i will be working at the Kentucky Derby handling peoples money.

[bdk]

so great how this had to come about right around the weekend when i will be working at the Kentucky Derby handling peoples money.

Influenza kills thousands in the US annually. Were you worried about that? I've seen no data to suggest that someone in otherwise good health can't recover from the swine flu as easily as they do from any other strain of influenza.

[bdk]

so great how this had to come about right around the weekend when i will be working at the Kentucky Derby handling peoples money.

Influenza kills about 35 thousand in the US annually. Were you worried about that? I've seen no data to suggest that someone in otherwise good health can't recover from the swine flu as easily as they do from any other strain of influenza.

[Ztex]

Here in Texas they have closed all high school (UIL) sport and academic competition, several cities, Fort Worth included (80,000 students) have closed schools for a week. Field trips and such are canceled.
Large out door gatherings such as our local MayFest art and music festival, bike rides etc. have been canceled...

Pure panic if you ask me...

[RyanShort1]

Here in Texas they have closed all high school (UIL) sport and academic competition, several cities, Fort Worth included (80,000 students) have closed schools for a week. Field trips and such are canceled.
Large out door gatherings such as our local MayFest art and music festival, bike rides etc. have been canceled...

Pure panic if you ask me...

It's really quite stupid! Folks just need to observe proper sanitary procedures and if they feel sick, stay away from others. Oh, and the measures they're taking aren't going to solve anything. I bet a bunch of those kids are hanging out with friends at the mall anyway and equally at risk of getting sick. Being a little more careful about the border wouldn't hurt either, but I guess DC doesn't see it that way.

Ugh!

Ryan

[Old SAR pilot]

Yes, it's something to be concerned about, but I think there's a LOT of media over-hype to it. Why? Well, check out Wiki's site on the Spanish flu of 1918, and compare the numbers:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu

..And what was the media hype not too long ago? Avian flu?

...Just my $.005 worth (2 cents adjusted for the recession).....

[JDK]

Being a little more careful about the border wouldn't hurt either, but I guess DC doesn't see it that way.

Australia (an island) has some of the tightest quarantine controls in place normally for luggage etc. to try and protect the native flora and fauna from aliens - however we are facing swine-flu affected arrivals, despite a sea barrier and heightened immigration procedures. Even here it's not possible to make an impermeable barrier.

I'm also in agreement with bdk. Again.