Mexico Links Sickness, Deaths to Swine Flu

Fox News Reporting

Mexico Links Sickness, Deaths to Swine Flu

"The White House is closely following the outbreak of a new strain of swine flu in the United States and President Barack Obama has been informed, an administration official said Friday."

"The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the virus in the United States was a never-before-seen mixture of viruses typical among pigs, birds and humans. All seven American patients, who came down with the illness, have recovered. But it has also broken out in Mexico, killing at least 16 people and sickening more than 800."

Note that other sources put the death toll at nearly 60.

Now MSNBC reports the flu strains in Mexico and US are linked:

The unique strain of swine flu found in seven people in California in Texas has been connected to the deadly flu that has broken out in Mexico, killing as many as 60 people, NBC News has confirmed.

The strain, identical in both countries, has never been seen before and is raising fears of a possible pandemic.

The World Health Organization said it was concerned at what it called hundreds of "influenza-like" cases in Mexico, and also about the confirmed outbreak of the new strain of swine flu in the United States.

Mexico canceled classes for millions of children in its sprawling capital city and surrounding area on Friday after authorities noticed a higher number of flu-like deaths than normal in recent weeks.

"It is a virus that mutated from pigs and then at some point was transmitted to humans," Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova told the Televisa network.

ker-Flu-ey

Center for Disease Control weekly report

The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was above the epidemic threshold for the seventh consecutive week.

The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) and acute respiratory illness (ARI) was above national baseline levels. ILI decreased in seven of the nine regions compared to week 7, and was above region-specific baselines in all nine regions. The East South Central, Mid-Atlantic, Mountain, New England, Pacific, South Atlantic and West North Central regions reported ARI at or above their region specific baselines.

Forty-nine states reported widespread influenza activity; one state reported regional influenza activity; and the District of Columbia reported local influenza activity.

Buddha: Bird Flu outbreak "alarming"

"It is alarming, but not yet time for panic. Therefore I have also alerted police to intervene so that in these affected areas there will be no movement of birds or marketing of birds. We will also kill birds within a radius of 5-10 kms of the affected area."

I am soooo sure the government will alert us when it IS time to panic, right? If there is a hierarchy of scare levels, like in the US with colors, it might go something like this--

Level 1: Dead Calm with snoring
Level 2: Slight arousal
Level 3: Something's up, I can smell it in the wind
Level 4: I hear bells, alarm, Will Robinson!
Level 5: Now is the time to panic!! Say this thru a megaphone while standing through the sunroof of a Humvee.

And now, from the bird flu anticipation division

Avian influenza .. Out of control

CAIRO, 13 January 2008 (IRIN) - Fifteen new suspected cases of the deadly H5N1 strain of the avian flu virus were reported last week in five governorates in Egypt as government measures to strengthen national pandemic preparedness provoked mixed reactions in Cairo's streets.

Jakarta actually has a hospital in which they have staff manning the Bird Flu Anticipation Division?

In response, the government’s Supreme National Committee for Combating Bird Flu met last week to discuss the current outbreak and to implement measures to combat the spread of bird flu.

"Supreme National Committee for Combating Bird Flu"? I'm glad it wasn't just the Moderately Significant Sub-Committee for Dealing with That Bird Sickness Thing.

I don't know why I'm worried about bird flu. I just am. Now I'm also worried about the penchant for over-naming the response teams.

Listening, watching, reading

I'm listening to my new Mahalia Jackson CD a friend got me for my birthday, and reading the Australian Courier matter of factly telling readers in a news report today that a global pandemic is inevitable and advises to stockpile food for at least 10 weeks. Hmmm, OK.

I have had this dread about bird flu ever since it came public. It has jumped to human transmission recently, and the number of little icons showing outbreaks on the Havaria Alert Service worldwide map has gone from zero on average to today: four.

A great blue heron has just flown in and landed in our little pond across the pasture. My table is in front of the huge windows affording a front row view of the pasture and pond. They sure are a large bird. Though if I have mis-identified the bird be sure and let me know!

Christmas is almost here. Be sure and remember the reason for the season, our Savior is born, and have a wonderful day.