Birdflu Mailing List: Update on swine flu emergency 4/26/09 10 PM

[William Weir (wweir1]

I offer for your consideration and possible distribution my updated
suggestions on swine flu -- below and also attached (MS Word .doc) .  (You
may receive this as a Bcc so as not to spread your email address where it
may be misused.)
Bill
Rev. William M. Weir, DB, MHA
=====================================================================================================================================

April 26, 2009, 9:30 PM

TO:  Members, friends, and staff of the First Unitarian Society of
Minneapolis (FUS)



Recent cases of swine flu in Mexico and the U.S. have sparked public health
emergency declarations by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US
government.  Medical labs are reporting a new swine flu virus subtype
combining parts of avian flu, seasonal flu and both European and North
American swine flu.  Some health authorities say it may lead to a pandemic
(global epidemic), possibly as bad as in 1918.



The elevated case fatality rate in Mexico is of particular concern.  Cases
that we know about so far in the U.S. have not been especially deadly.   Much
more needs to be learned about how this virus is transmitted from person to
person.  Please consider the following suggestions:



1) Monitor news reports on swine flu, and follow guidance from the US Center
for Disease Control (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) as the
situation develops.  For the big picture see WHO’s website at
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html.  Googling “Swine flu
2009” may lead to additional information – and perhaps some misinformation.


(2) Cleanse hands, face, etc. soon after possible exposure.  Use
alcohol-based hand cleaners if available (which can kill the virus rather
than simply trying to wash it off).   To reduce exposure some people are
avoiding contact such as handshaking and kissing, and increasing distance
from anyone else. Some say six feet is enough; others say much more. Avoid
breathing what another person has breathed out unless sufficiently confident
that the person has not been exposed to this virus.  Some are protecting
clean hands with a paper towel to avoid direct contact with rest room faucet
handles, door handles, stair railings, grocery cart handles, light switches,
elevator buttons, wheelchairs, etc.


(3) Carry disposable tissues where you can quickly cover your mouth and nose
completely with one when you cough or sneeze.  Dispose of it after first
use.  In case a tissue is not available quickly enough, cough or sneeze into
your sleeve at your elbow, not into your hand, so that you can more
completely cover your nose and mouth.  Launder the garment before wearing it
again.  Or wear a surgical mask (such as a surgeon uses to protect the
patient).

 (4) Wash up after coughing or sneezing and after coming in touch with
others who are coughing or sneezing.  To reduce exposure, some people are
using N95 masks (such as spray painters use) to filter air while breathing
it in and out.  Some are also using disposable gloves and protective eyewear
such as used in medical or dental work settings.  In homes and offices some
are using air purifiers that break down viruses and remove particulate from
the air we breathe.   Avoid direct contact with any droppings or remains of
any bird, insect or animal, including humans.

 (5) If considering travel to Mexico, consult US Center for Disease Control
recommendations as you prepare for the trip.  At least one major city has
ordered many places of assembly closed.  If considering travel to places in
the US where the virus has been detected, consider using extra precautions
also, such as avoiding subways and crowds.



(6) A person exposed to the virus may carry it and be spreading it for
24-to-48 hours before symptoms first develop; a fever spike may be the first
sign. Consult a physician for possible use of Tamiflu or other antiviral
medication that, if promptly used after exposure, can retard the spread of
the virus from cell to cell within the body, thus, probably reducing the
severity of the case.  Consider minimizing your face-to-face contact with
others.



We urge you to pay attention to the developing situation and keep up to date
about what's going on. The primary news media seem to be doing a good job of
reporting updates.  FUS is prepared to communicate more using the web; go to
www.firstunitariansociety.org for more information.  Meetings, forums and
assemblies can go on the internet.



Please notify FUS if diagnosed with flu: office [at] firstunitariansociety.org 
or
612-377-6608.  We will try to be helpful to you as well as to others with
whom you have had contact, using appropriate precautions, as our resources
permit.



May you and yours enjoy the best of health and happiness, even as we do our
best to cope with this emergency.

-- Bill Weir, Chair, FUS Committee on Emergency Preparedness, in
consultation with others