Pandemic Alert - Update - May 11, 2009
A 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 infected.. 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 2500 confirmed cases. Over 100 people have been hospitalised. There have been three deaths in the United States. Two people died in Texas. One was a two year old boy and the other was a women in her thirties. The third death was a man in his thirties in Washington state. Community transmission in the US is common. Health care workers have been infected.
In Canada, there are over 240 confirmed cases. One woman in her thirties is confirmed to have died. At least one health care worker has been infected.
In Spain, there are over 90 confirmed cases.
In the UK, there are over 60 confirmed cases.
In Costa Rica, there are 8 confirmed cases. One man in his fifties is confirmed to have died.
Sustained person-to-person spread is likely occurring in Mexico, Canada, the United States, Spain and the United Kingdom.
There have also been confirmed cases in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, China, Columbia, Cuba, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Sweden, 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.
Monday, May 11, 2009
