Pandemic Alert - Update - May 2, 2009
An new influenza virus has been reported in many countries. The official designation for this virus is Influenza A(H1N1). This virus has also been referred to as swine flu, North American Flu, and Mexican Flu.
At least 150 people, and possibly many more, have died of this virus within the past few weeks. Victims were often young and otherwise healthy. The virus is spreading human-to-human and has likely infected many people who have yet to be identified.
Health care workers in Mexico have been advised to wear personal protective equipment. The schools in Mexico have been closed. The entire country will close non-essential functions for five days.
In the United States, there are over 140 confirmed cases in Alabama; Arizona; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Nebraska; Nevada; New Jersey; New York; Nevada; Ohio; South Carolina; Texas and Virginia. One child in Texas is confirmed to have died. Community transmission in the US is becoming more common.
In Canada, there are over 50 confirmed cases in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontorio and Quebec.
There have also been confirmed cases in Austria, China (Hong Kong), Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.
There are suspected cases in a number of other countries.
Most of the initial reports of disease in both confirmed and suspected cases were associated with travel to Mexico. An increasing number of cases are associated with schools. Health care workers in several countries have become infected. Community transmission of the virus is becoming more frequent.
Some countries have instituted travel advisories, screening of travelers and activated their pandemic plans.
The WHO has raised the pandemic alert level to 5: pandemic, widespread human infection
The US has declared a Public Health Emergency.
Those planning to bug out in a pandemic would well advised to review their plans. Last minute preparations for shelter-in-place should be made now. Spot shortages of hand-sanitizers, respirators and masks have been reported.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
