OFFICIAL: SWINE INFLUENZA Info and Updates thread (post them here please) 5/1 - MAYDAY indeed!

Let's begin with a very useful, scientific and helpful set of information from the BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8021958.stm

lu viruses mutate over time causing small changes to proteins on their surface called antigens. If the immune system has met a particular strain of the virus before, it is likely to have some immunity; but if the antigens are new to the immune system, it will be weakened.

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What is swine flu?

Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by influenza type A which infects pigs.

There are many types, and the infection is constantly changing.

Until now it has not normally infected humans, but the latest form clearly does, and can be spread from person to person - probably through coughing and sneezing.

What is new about this type of swine flu?

The World Health Organization has confirmed that at least some of the human cases are a never-before-seen version of the H1N1 strain of influenza type A.

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link repeated: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8021958.stm

fixing link

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/30/swine.flu.outbreak/

In the United States, New York has the most confirmed cases, with 50, followed by Texas, with 26. California has 14 cases.

In Washington state, a pediatrician who saw 22 patients and their parents Monday is among 13 people that public health authorities say have "probable" cases of swine flu. The pediatrician, who works at the Everett Clinic near Seattle, Washington, and who was not identified out of privacy concerns, may have exposed some of her patients to her illness, authorities said.

The CDC on Thursday added an 11th state, South Carolina, with 10 cases.

"There are many more states that have suspect cases, and we will be getting additional results over time," said Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.

The state health departments in Delaware, Colorado, Georgia, Nebraska and Virginia on Thursday said they had confirmed swine flu cases: four in Delaware, one in Georgia and two each in Colorado, Nebraska and Virginia.

＊ WHO
Influenza A(H1N1) - update 6

30 April 2009 -- The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 17:00 GMT, 30 April 2009, 11 countries have officially reported 257 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

The United States Government has reported 109 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Mexico has reported 97 confirmed human cases of infection, including seven deaths.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (19), Germany (3), Israel (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (3), Spain (13), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (8).

Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.

WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.

There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
Related links
Influenza A(H1N1) web site
Daily updates will be posted on this site.

Interim WHO guidance for the surveillance of human infection with swine influenza A(H1N1) virus
29 April 2009
Guidance document
http://www.who.int/entity/csr/disease/swineflu/WHO_case_definition_swine_flu_2009_04_29.pdf

WHO Swine Influenza A(H1N1) Case Summary Form for case-based data collection
http://www.who.int/entity/csr/resources/publications/swineflu/WHOcasebasedsummaryformc.pdf

A(H1N1) daily aggregated indicators
http://www.who.int/entity/csr/resources/publications/swineflu/AH1N1_daily_aggregated.pdf

＊USCDC

Interim Guidance for Clinicians on Identifying and Caring for Patients with Swine-origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection
last updated April 29, 2009 11:45 PM ET
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/identifyingpatients.htm

Psychological and Social Support for Essential Service Workers During an Influenza Pandemic
Apr 30, 2009, 2:00PM ET
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/Supplement_11-4-29-09.pdf

Interim Guidance on Case Definitions to be Used For Investigations of Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Cases*
April 30, 2009 10:00 AM ET
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/casedef_swineflu.htm

Interim Guidance—HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents: Considerations for Clinicians Regarding Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
last updated April 30, 12:45 PM ET
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_HIV.htm

Interim Guidance on Specimen Collection, Processing, and Testing for Patients with Suspected Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection
April 30, 2009 12:15 PM EDT
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/specimencollection.htm

END

What I would REALLY like to see come out of this? (other than to have it all go away)

Mandatory sick-days for employees without fear of recrimination.

Hardly the moon, but it would stop more disease from spreading.

I think the CDC is doing an outstanding job of information and balance.



KUDOS to all the health professionals who decided to serve the public.

We appreciate you!