RECEIVED THIS FROM FREIND IN TEXAS TODAY. Not sure what section to post this is, so if it needs to be moved please do!
I don't have time right now to post a lot of info, but keep your eyes on the H1N1 flu virus. It's spreading and Mexico officials are so concerned they've shut down a number of public buildings in Mexico City because of it, the largest shut down of its kind in years. It would be good to get back into standard flu avoidance behaviours if you're not currently implementing them. Be prepared for quarantine if necessary, and keep up on your vitamins! It has spread into California and Texas and
a couple other states.
Here are some links from FOX News:
Information about the current outbreak of H1N1 in Mexico and concerns over the potential for a global pandemic:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517820,00.htmlInformation on H1N1 resistance to Tamiflu:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,503646,00.htmlCDC concerns that swine flu doesn't require contact with pigs to spread from human to human:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm58d0421a1.htmThe Federation of American Scientists on reconstituting the 1918 Influenza A virus and concern that the government does not have enough doses of drugs stockpiled to treat it:
http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/bio/factsheets/H1N1factsheet.htmlMore on increasing numbers of H1N1 virus strains developing resistance to Tamiflu from the World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/oseltamivir_summary/en/index.html WHO has declared a state of "health emergency" of international proportions. They have stopped short of issuing travel directives or enforcing quarantine measures, instead opting to allow individual governments to do so. Some countries have issued advisories against traveling in Mexico, and some Asian governments have begun quarantining those exhibiting symptoms of the flu.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090426/ap_on_re_au_an/swine_flu_worldThe death toll in Mexico, comparatively speaking with past outbreaks of particularly virulent strains of the flu, isn't all that much in actuality, so panic is not a requirement or even advised at this point. But if anyone is in a position to prepare for quarantine, just in case, I'd advise doing so.
In the meantime, make sure you're practicing those flu avoidance behaviours! Avoid shaking hands or hugging or being in close quarters with large amounts of people. Don't touch your face and wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Keep up on your vitamins and get enough rest. Don't overdo your activities. Use sanitizing measures such as wipes and lysol if you're sharing a station at work.
The United States has declared a public health emergency:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_swine_flu_emergency
