A public health emergency has been declared in the U.S. due to the swine flu outbreak. The declaration will allow the release of stockpiles of Tamiflu and Relenza, both effective flu fighters stockpiled by the federal government. In the U.S., 20 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in California, Texas, Kansas, Ohio and New York.
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>>Governments Race To Track, Contain Swine Flu
(Undated) — Governments are scrambling to track and contain the spread of a new strain of swine flu that’s killed 103 so far in Mexico. Some 20 cases are confirmed in the U.S. and others are popping up as far away as Israel and New Zealand. The World Health Organization has declared an emergency after the disease traveled beyond the U.S. and Mexican borders. Australia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea are now screening travelers at airports and ports. They’re using thermal cameras and sensors to detect the feverish. Health ministers in European Union countries will meet today, with the EU issuing a travel advisory to countries with cases of swine flu.
U.S. health officials warn that while the cases here have been mild so far, there could be deaths. In addition to the usual flu symptoms of fever, aches, sore throat and dry cough, the swine flu has also caused vomiting and diarrhea
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PREPARE FOR SWINE FLU
CHICAGO (CBS/STNG/AP) ? It sounds and looks like the normal, seasonal flu, but it has already killed dozens of people in Mexico, and public health officials say sooner or later, the disease is headed for Chicago.
On Sunday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared the swine flu outbreak a public health emergency.
There were no reported cases of swine flu in Illinois Monday morning. But the Chicago Department of Public Health, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, and the Chicago Public Schools are monitoring it.
Swine Flu Brings Alarm To Airports
There is also a lot of concern about swine flu at the airports. Authorities are now asking travelers about their health if they’re entering the country from somewhere with confirmed cases. Passengers won’t be barred from getting into the country, but they could be sent for testing.
“People who have recently traveled to impacted areas and have flu symptoms need to see a doctor and be tested so we can determine if swine flu is present in Illinois sooner rather than later,” Arnold said. “Aside from seeking medical attention, these people should stay home if sick.”
He suggested travelers returning from Mexico pay close attention to their health for around a week, and he recommended they see a doctor if they develop a fever, cough, sore throat or have trouble breathing.
Swine Flu Facts:
The CDC says even though you may have gotten the flu vaccine, you may not be protected against swine flu. However, older people, who may have been exposed to flu viruses many times may have some natural immunity.
Swine flu is a disease that normally just infects pigs, but there are cases of humans getting the disease, and of humans transferring it to other humans.
Seasonal flu symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Reported swine flu symptoms also include runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Health officials say it is important to keep in mind that this is a new strain of the virus.
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Article can be found at: http://www.wbbm780.com/Prepare-for-swine-flu/4277782
The World Health Organization said it was convening an emergency committee to advise whether outbreaks of swine flu in the United States and Mexico constituted an international public health threat.
“WHO will convene, sometime in the very near future, an emergency committee under the International Health Regulations, which will consider whether or not this event constitutes a public health event of international concern,” WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl told Reuters in Geneva.
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Article can be found at: http://www.nationalterroralert.com/updates/2009/04/24/swine-flu-news-updates/
CDC SAYS TOO LATE TO CONTAIN US FLU OUTBREAK
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday it was too late to contain the swine flu outbreak in the United States.
CDC acting director Dr. Richard Besser told reporters in a telephone briefing it was likely too late to try to contain the outbreak, by vaccinating, treating or isolating people. “There are things that we see that suggest that containment is not very likely,” he said. He said the U.S. cases and Mexican cases are likely the same virus. “So far the genetic elements that we have looked at are the same.” But Besser said it was unclear why the virus was causing so many deaths in deaths in Mexico and such mild disease in the United States.
