Birdflu Mailing List: Alert !!! "could be the beginning of a new pandemic" RSVP

[William Weir (wweir1]

Please help assess information about a strain of influenza A so far killing
20, mainly young adults 25-44 years old, in Mexico.

See the CBC-TV reports on YouTube, on a new type of swine flu (H1N1) (not
avian/bird flu H5N1)
Public Health Agency of Canada has issued an advisory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D1XOvfe9Ks


Consider the US CDC guidance for residents of CA & TX (applicable to anyone
who has come from MX, TX or CA recently?)
Summary Guidance

CDC has provided the following interim guidance for this investigation.

   - Residents of California and
Texas<http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm#residents>
   - Clinicians <http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm#clinics>
   - State Public Health
Laboratories<http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm#labs>
   - Public Health/Animal
Health<http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm#pa_health>

Residents of California and Texas

CDC has identified human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection
in people in these areas. CDC is working with local and state health
agencies to investigate these cases. We have determined that this virus is
contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, we
have not determined how easily the virus spreads between people. As with any
infectious disease, we are recommending precautionary measures for people
residing in these areas.

   - 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 hands cleaners are also effective.
   - Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
   - If you get sick, 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 that way.

There is no vaccine available at this time, so it is important for people
living in these areas to take steps to prevent spreading the virus to
others. If people are ill, they should attempt to stay at home and limit
contact with others. Healthy residents living in these areas should
take everyday
preventive actions <http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm>.

People who live in these areas who develop an illness with fever and
respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other
symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, should
contact their health care provider. Their health care provider will
determine whether influenza testing is needed.

Copied from http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm#residents

The new system for Global Detection and Warning is working but in this case
not as quickly as expected.

For more items, I suggest Google on "Swine Flu" 2009.

RSVP with your findings, evaluation and suggestions for helping our
congregations.

Bill Weir

Committee on Emergency Preparedness

First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis