Experts probe deadly Mexico flu

[belfastuniguy 18]

Experts probe deadly Mexico flu

Public buildings have closed across Mexico City because of the outbreak

World health experts are investigating a new strain of flu that may have killed as many as 60 people in Mexico.

The US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) said tests so far seem to link Mexico's outbreak with a swine flu virus that had sickened eight in the southern US.

The CDC said it was taking the virus - about which it was working to learn as much as possible - seriously.

Mexican authorities have closed schools, museums and theatres, and launched a vaccination campaign.

It is suspected the virus may have been involved in the deaths of about 60 people, mostly in and around Mexico City, since mid-March.

A new swine flu strain has been confirmed in 16 of the deaths and 44 others are being tested, Mexico's health secretary said. More than 900 other people are thought to have been infected.

Public buildings have been closed across the capital region and people are being urged to avoid shaking hands or sharing crockery.

In Geneva, the World Health Organization said an emergency committee would likely convene over the weekend.

And in the US, the White House said it was watching the situation.

'Learn more'

Dr Richard Besser, acting director of the CDC, said that preliminary tests on seven out of 14 samples from patients in Mexico had matched the virus found in the US.

Eight people have fallen sick - six in California and two in Texas - with a virus that experts say is a new strain of swine flu. All eight have recovered and only one was hospitalised.

Q&A: Swine flu

Dr Besser said more information was needed to determine the extent of the threat posed by the virus. It was unclear, he said, why it was proving fatal in Mexico but not in the US.

"We are not at the point of declaring a pandemic - we are at the point of trying to learn more about this virus," he said.

"In Mexico, other influenza viruses are circulating there, so sorting out which cases are caused by swine flu, which are other viruses and which are co-infections will be very important public health information."

The WHO said it had prepared "rapid containment measures" in case they were needed.

But both it and the CDC said that there was no need at this point to issue travel advisories for parts of Mexico or the US.

The CDC said it planned to send experts to Mexico to help investigate the virus.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease which infects pigs. It does not normally infect humans, although sporadic cases do occur usually in people who have had close contact with pigs.

There have also been rare documented cases of humans passing the infection to other humans.

Such cases are monitored very closely because of fears that a new strain of swine flu with the ability to pass from person to person could spark a pandemic.quote>

 

[powellinthesouth 0]

Hopefully this will be the new epidemic and weed out the retard babys that survived the war.

[belfastuniguy 18]

Originally posted by: powellinthesouth

Hopefully this will be the new epidemic and weed out the retard babys that survived the war.quote>

What??

[Heblem 600]

too bad, im scared... the government have anounced to avoid any social activity as doing sports, going to school, etc.. there are like 2,000 infected people according to the health secretary of the country.... currently the cases are in Mexico City, San Luis Potosí (im like 200 km from SLP) hope this wont come to my hometown...

Now 20 more deaths making it to 80...

[Nerd_Guy 4]

Originally posted by: powellinthesouth

Hopefully this will be the new epidemic and weed out the retard babys that survived the war.quote>

This has got to be the weirdest thing I've ever heard...

[mightygoose 92]

Originally posted by: Nerd_Guy

Originally posted by: powellinthesouth

Hopefully this will be the new epidemic and weed out the retard babys that survived the war.quote>

This has got to be the weirdest thing I've ever heard...

quote>

gotta ask.... Which war?...

eh?

and it's "babies"....

and "retarded" .....

and "that will".....

EDIT -- on topic, the World Health Organisation state that 854 people are confirmed infected. of the 59 casuallties infected 16 have had the swine flu confirmed as cause of death the other 44 are presumed but still undergoing tests...

and in the last fifteen minutes it has been released that the majority of deaths are between 25-45, it is not sure as to whethere this is due to the initial infection path or a demographic viral preference....

[Haljackey 17,312]

Originally posted by: powellinthesouth

Hopefully this will be the new epidemic and weed out the retard babys that survived the war.quote>

umm... ok then.

Randomness has reached a whole new level!   

[fukuda 351]

He might be talking about the mexican-american war, but there would be a time problem then

Unless he's talking about a pig war

[Wrightguy0 40]

Originally posted by: powellinthesouth

Hopefully this will be the new epidemic and weed out the retard babys that survived the war.quote>

wow, im drunk and even this crap makes no sense

talk about random hate. this is the stupidest thing I have ever heard

This is a horrible event, and if anyone has any decency they will feel for the people of mexico

[belfastuniguy 18]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday it was too late to contain the swine flu outbreak in the United States.

CDC acting director Dr. Richard Besser told reporters in a telephone briefing it was likely too late to try to contain the outbreak, by vaccinating, treating or isolating people.

"There are things that we see that suggest that containment is not very likely," he said.

He said the U.S. cases and Mexican cases are likely the same virus. "So far the genetic elements that we have looked at are the same." But Besser said it was unclear why the virus was causing so many deaths in deaths in Mexico and such mild disease in the United States.

(Reporting by Maggie Fox, editing by Patricia Zengerle)quote>

[mightygoose 92]

Originally posted by: belfastuniguy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday it was too late to contain the swine flu outbreak in the United States.

CDC acting director Dr. Richard Besser told reporters in a telephone briefing it was likely too late to try to contain the outbreak, by vaccinating, treating or isolating people.

"There are things that we see that suggest that containment is not very likely," he said.

He said the U.S. cases and Mexican cases are likely the same virus. "So far the genetic elements that we have looked at are the same." But Besser said it was unclear why the virus was causing so many deaths in deaths in Mexico and such mild disease in the United States.

(Reporting by Maggie Fox, editing by Patricia Zengerle)quote>

quote>

well that might have something to do with standard of living....

 

[Easy Bakes 253]

Dread: How Fear and Fantasy have Fueled Epidemics from the Black Death to the Avian Flu

by Philip Alcabes.

Add one more.

http://www.northshire.com/siteinfo/bookinfo/9781586486181/0/

60 deaths,over 45 days, Mexico City Metro Population: 22 million,.hardly an epidemic.

Fear mongering at it highest. Not that  I dont think they should'nt track the diease but lets wait  a bit before  thowing out the word epidemic. More people were  killed in car acidents today. We were all supposed to die from SARS and The bird flu a few years ago, nothing happened.

[belfastuniguy 18]

Originally posted by: Easy Bakes

Dread: How Fear and Fantasy have Fueled Epidemics from the Black Death to the Avian Flu

by Philip Alcabes.

Add one more.

http://www.northshire.com/siteinfo/bookinfo/9781586486181/0/

60 deaths,over 45 days, Mexico City Metro Population: 22 million,.hardly an epidemic.

Fear mongering at it highest. Not that  I dont think they should'nt track the diease but lets wait  a bit before  thowing out the word epidemic. More people were  killed in car acidents today. We were all supposed to die from SARS and The bird flu a few years ago, nothing happened.quote>

No-one is calling it a pandemic, the flu pandemic threat level is unchanged. Unlike Bird Flu, this has crossed to human AND transmitting between humans. Avian flu has yet to achieve this.

No-one is scaremongering,  people in Mexico are obviously more concerned given its potential to further develop due to the rather poor living standards most people endure.

[saltandsauce 0]

if a disease is airbourne then it is perfectly reasonable to be scared it sounds like this disease IS airbourne since i don't think those people came in contact with pigs. remember, Spanish flu was endemic and killed millions during 1918-1919.

people eventually excluded themselves from society. it was as bad as bubonic plague

[mightygoose 92]

well in the last hour California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has activated the Joint Emergency Operations Center of the Department of Public Health. why would he do that if there was not some concern over it still spreading...

[Easy Bakes 253]

Originally posted by: belfastuniguy

Originally posted by: Easy Bakes

Dread: How Fear and Fantasy have Fueled Epidemics from the Black Death to the Avian Flu

by Philip Alcabes.

Add one more.

http://www.northshire.com/siteinfo/bookinfo/9781586486181/0/

60 deaths,over 45 days, Mexico City Metro Population: 22 million,.hardly an epidemic.

Fear mongering at it highest. Not that  I dont think they should'nt track the diease but lets wait  a bit before  thowing out the word epidemic. More people were  killed in car acidents today. We were all supposed to die from SARS and The bird flu a few years ago, nothing happened.quote>

No-one is calling it a pandemic, the flu pandemic threat level is unchanged. Unlike Bird Flu, this has crossed to human AND transmitting between humans. Avian flu has yet to achieve this.

No-one is scaremongering,  people in Mexico are obviously more concerned given its potential to further develop due to the rather poor living standards most people endure. quote>

The headline

Experts probe deadly Mexico flu

I rest my case.

I  am however concerned for the people living in those crowded conditions, which will do nothing to help prevent its spread.

And flu can kill, especialy the young and old, even worse if thier malnurished, and have no medicine.

[belfastuniguy 18]

Deadly indicates death...funnily enough

That is the case, people have died. The fact the flu has killed relatively healthly people between 25 and 40 is what is concerning some.

[mightygoose 92]

ten minutes ago - Canada's chief public health officer says authorities are investigation a number of flu-like cases to see if they match swine flu.

[sneakeypete 16]

OHMIGOD! Flu, in Australia! it could be a deadly outbreak!

Or more likely its just a regular old flu. sheesh.

Seriously though, is there at least some kind of evidence to suggest that it might have spread that far. holiday makers, what?

[belfastuniguy 18]

Seriously though, is there at least some kind of evidence to suggest that it might have spread that far. holiday makers, what?quote>

That's most likely for the minute, especially if possible cases are appearing in Canada and other places

[mightygoose 92]

they are obviously not just checking everyone with the flu.... there must obviously be a valid infection path and some correlated symptoms....

[Haljackey 17,312]

Originally posted by: mightygoose

ten minutes ago - Canada's chief public health officer says authorities are investigation a number of flu-like cases to see if they match swine flu.quote>

Originally posted by: belfastuniguy

Seriously though, is there at least some kind of evidence to suggest that it might have spread that far. holiday makers, what?quote>

That's most likely for the minute, especially if possible cases are appearing in Canada and other placesquote>

I can confirm that there have been 4 cases of influenza among Canadians that have been to Mexico within the last 10 days, but none of them match the swine flu or the one Mexican authorities are reporting.

The ministry of health is asking everyone if anyone has travelled to Mexico within the last 10 days and are experiencing flu-like symptoms to get checked out.  I'm sure a similar policy is being put in place in other countries as well.

[ilikehotdogsalot 308]

Originally posted by: sneakeypete

OHMIGOD! Flu, in Australia! it could be a deadly outbreak!

Or more likely its just a regular old flu. sheesh.

Seriously though, is there at least some kind of evidence to suggest that it might have spread that far. holiday makers, what?quote>

I thought this was about Mexico?

[belfastuniguy 18]

Originally posted by: ilikehotdogsalot

Originally posted by: sneakeypete

OHMIGOD! Flu, in Australia! it could be a deadly outbreak!

Or more likely its just a regular old flu. sheesh.

Seriously though, is there at least some kind of evidence to suggest that it might have spread that far. holiday makers, what?quote>

I thought this was about Mexico?

quote>

It is, however people travelling to and from Mexico pose a risk of transmission. Possible fears of a flu pandemic are not a national issue and rightly so. We need as much information as possible to allow us to make an informed decision on what to do as well as determining whether this has the potential to grow further.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Originally posted by: ilikehotdogsalot

Originally posted by: sneakeypete

OHMIGOD! Flu, in Australia! it could be a deadly outbreak!

Or more likely its just a regular old flu. sheesh.

Seriously though, is there at least some kind of evidence to suggest that it might have spread that far. holiday makers, what?quote>

I thought this was about Mexico?quote>

Seems some cases are showing up in canada. and Austraila?

[Duke87 1,070]

Mexican flu. It illegally immigrates into your body.

Sorry, a stupid joke was begging to be made there.

[mightygoose 92]

75 high school students in queens NY are currently under quarantine for testing... death toll now officially 68, Crisis units have been activated in Brasil, France, Colombia, Chile and Nicaragua to monitor the swine flu outbreaks in the US and Mexico.

World Health Organization chief arrives in Geneva for a emergency meeting on Mexican swine flu. A statement is expected later today.

[JudithBaumel 0]

Irrational response to rational fear.

The author of  DREAD (thanks, @easybake, northshire books for directing me to this) has a great piece today in FOREIGN POLICY magazine  http://experts.foreignpolicy.com/node/17234

Be afraid.  Calm down.  And fear not.

[earwax_man 18]

Originally posted by: powellinthesouth

Hopefully this will be the new epidemic and weed out the retard babys that survived the war.quote>

What the hell?

Anyway, this reminds me of a game called Pandemic II. Guess what it's about?

[belfastuniguy 18]

Mexico flu 'a potential pandemic'

Face masks are handed out, while WHO says it is 'very concerned'

A new flu virus suspected of killing up to 60 people in Mexico has the potential to become a pandemic, the World Health Organization's chief says.

Margaret Chan said the outbreak was a "serious situation" which needed to be followed closely.

Health experts say tests so far seem to link the illnesses in Mexico with a swine flu virus in the southern US.

A top US health official said the strain of swine flu had spread widely and could not be contained.

Ms Chan cut short a visit to the US and returned to Geneva where the WHO's emergency committee met.

The committee can recommend declaring an international public health emergency and raise the global pandemic alert level - a move that could lead to travel advisories, trade restrictions and border closures.

HAVE YOUR SAY

I work as a resident doctor in one of the biggest hospitals in Mexico City and sadly, the situation is far from 'under control'

Yeny Gregorio Davila, Mexico City

Read more experiences

The WHO says it does not know the full risk yet.

It is advising all member states to be vigilant for seasonally unusual flu or pneumonia-like symptoms among their populations - particularly among young healthy adults, who seem to be the most affected in Mexico.

Officials said most of those killed so far were young adults - rather than more vulnerable children and the elderly.

Containment 'not feasible'

Schools, museums and libraries have been closed across the capital region and people are being urged to avoid shaking hands or sharing crockery.

Public buildings have closed across Mexico City because of the outbreak

All public events have been suspended, an official said. Two previously sold-out soccer matches were played in empty stadiums to avoid potentially spreading the virus.

The Roman Catholic Church in Mexico has recommended measures to avoid further contagion at Mass this Sunday.

Priests have been told to place communion wafers in hands of the worshippers rather than in their mouths and to suggest to the congregation that kissing or shaking hands be avoided during the service.

The US is watching the situation south of the border closely.

"With infections in many different communities as we're seeing, we don't think that containment is feasible," said Anne Schuchat of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"We are not at a point where we can keep this virus in one place... Now that we are looking more widely, I really expect us to find more."

The CDC said preliminary tests on seven out of 14 samples from patients in Mexico had matched the virus found in the US.

Eight people have fallen sick in the US - six in California and two in Texas - with a virus the WHO say was the same as the new strain of swine flu, designated H1N1.

All eight have recovered and only one was hospitalised.

SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease found in pigs Human cases usually occur in those who have contact with pigs Human-to-human transmission is rare and such cases are closely monitored Q&A: Swine flu

The CDC said it planned to send experts to Mexico to help investigate the virus which has infected more than 1,000 people in the country.

Ms Chan confirmed the virus was an animal strain - a mixture of swine, human and avian flu viruses.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease which infects pigs. It does not normally infect humans, although sporadic cases do occur usually in people who have had close contact with pigs.[.q]