OT - Tracking Swine Flu locations - in the US now

[StoneCold]

This zoomable Global Disease Alert Map gives world locations where cases have occurred.

http://healthmap.org/en

California Case Total (April 27, 2009): Eight. Counties: Imperial 3; Sacramento 1; San Diego County 4

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect people.

However, sporadic human infections with swine flu do occasionally occur. Most commonly, human cases of swine influenza happen in people with direct exposure to pigs.

While most instances of human infection with animal influenza viruses do not result in human to human transmission, each case should be fully investigated to be sure that such viruses are not spreading among humans and to limit further exposure of humans to infected animals, if infected animals are identified. Investigation into possible human to human transmission of recent swine influenza cases is ongoing.

[bluejeangirl76]

This zoomable Global Disease Alert Map gives world locations where cases have occurred.

http://healthmap.org/en

It's like the NORAD Santa Tracker except its the Swine Flu Tracker.

[Melissa]

You know I'm wondering if these people who are supposedly "positive" were actually tested for it, and not just for influenza A. Our reference labs are telling us it can take over a week to get back a definite result as to positive or negative for actual swine flu. And anyone who truly has it can test positive for influenza A (just the same as someone with the seasonal flu can) with any rapid flu test (which can test for B also, and a positive result would not show a differential as to which one it is). Just makes me curious.

[EightyRock]

You know I'm wondering if these people who are supposedly "positive" were actually tested for it, and not just for influenza A. Our reference labs are telling us it can take over a week to get back a definite result as to positive or negative for actual swine flu. And anyone who truly has it can test positive for influenza A (just the same as someone with the seasonal flu can) with any rapid flu test (which can test for B also, and a positive result would not show a differential as to which one it is). Just makes me curious.

Last night, Anderson Cooper had Sonje Goupta (or however he spells it) live from Mexico City. He claims that it now appears to be some kind of hybrid mix of swine, bird and human flu.

[scarab]

literally the end of the world is very very near.







(im thinking about a billion years at the most!)

[SP Fan in Oregon]

This zoomable Global Disease Alert Map gives world locations where cases have occurred.

http://healthmap.org/en

California Case Total (April 27, 2009): Eight. Counties: Imperial 3; Sacramento 1; San Diego County 4

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect people.

However, sporadic human infections with swine flu do occasionally occur. Most commonly, human cases of swine influenza happen in people with direct exposure to pigs.

While most instances of human infection with animal influenza viruses do not result in human to human transmission, each case should be fully investigated to be sure that such viruses are not spreading among humans and to limit further exposure of humans to infected animals, if infected animals are identified. Investigation into possible human to human transmission of recent swine influenza cases is ongoing.

I'm dating a guy that works for the World Health Organization. He says at level 4 that the outbreak is isolated to one country, Mexico.
When the threat level gets to 5, then we might have something to really worry about. Level 6 is a pandemic - that of course, is definitely something to be freaked out about!
One of these days, a pandemic is going to spread into the U.S. It will likely be caused by some terrorist using a toxin of sorts against us. I think about that often when I drink
a glass of tap water, wondering if some idiot has invoked Jihad on Oregon. Hope none of us get this flu. Good reason to prepare your own dinner at home for a while.

[bluejeangirl76]

Good reason to prepare your own dinner at home for a while.

That's actually a good point.

I'm living on yogurt and protein bars lately anyway so I think I'll keep it up.

[Lula]

whoa.... eating pork has nothing to do with swine flu. those that work closely with swine are at a higher risk. it is transmitted from pig to human to human or something, not because you ate some carnitas or a pulled pork sandwich. i think there is a lot of paranoia here. sure, be careful but come on.

[Melissa]

whoa.... eating pork has nothing to do with swine flu. those that work closely with swine are at a higher risk. it is transmitted from pig to human to human or something, not because you ate some carnitas or a pulled pork sandwich. i think there is a lot of paranoia here. sure, be careful but come on.

I agree, makes me want to eat a pack of bacon (which I don't even like much!) out of sheer smart-ass-ness!

[bluejeangirl76]

whoa.... eating pork has nothing to do with swine flu. those that work closely with swine are at a higher risk. it is transmitted from pig to human to human or something, not because you ate some carnitas or a pulled pork sandwich. i think there is a lot of paranoia here. sure, be careful but come on.

I think she meant eating at home while this is going on to avoid restaurant people handling food you'll be eating... that's how I read it. And that's a good point, thinking of how many places don't require gloves be worn and not knowing what the heck goes on in those kitchens.

[Rhiannon]

I can't help but read some comments here with seeing the public freak-out and roll my eyes. "The sky is falling, the sky is falling." Melissa, correct me if I'm wrong, but this is just about on par with getting our typical influenza virus, correct? Which is pretty much rampant in the fall and winter. Yet people don't flip the hell out over it and stop eating in public restaurants. Best I understand, this strain as with the typical, is easily vanquished with stuff like Tamiflu.

Guys, the mass media outlets are over-sensationalizing this story because we're approaching sweeps. Be rational.

[Melissa]

I can't help but read some comments here with seeing the public freak-out and roll my eyes. "The sky is falling, the sky is falling." Melissa, correct me if I'm wrong, but this is just about on par with getting our typical influenza virus, correct? Which is pretty much rampant in the fall and winter. Yet people don't flip the hell out over it and stop eating in public restaurants. Best I understand, this strain as with the typical, is easily vanquished with stuff like Tamiflu.

Guys, the mass media outlets are over-sensationalizing this story because we're approaching sweeps. Be rational.

It is a type of influenza A, which yes is a same type of influenza that can be seen in the "seasonal" flu. And yes we were told symptoms respond to Tamiflu and Relenza. I'm still wondering after all the work with our reference labs we did today how these supposed "positive" swine results are being obtained so quickly and reported to the media so quickly when we were told it can take over a week to get results back. Not making sense. I'm wondering if what's happening is they are just doing the blanket influenza A and B tests, rapid ones, and anyone showing a + result they are just assuming to be swine until they get the true results back. Those rapid tests don't even differentiate between A and B let alone give a differential on the types of A or B.

Yes the typical seasonal flu kills approx. 36,000 people a year, which as I put in the other thread if you spread that out over the entire year is almost 100 people a day. And like you said, no one freaks out about that. And actually the flu "season" typically lasts about 6 months (Oct.-Mar. here) so that would mean during that time that it actually kills 200 people a day. Still no freak outs about that, until the media makes a big deal about it.

Here's where to get the true info. without the media hype/drama:
CDC swine info.: 1-800-232-4636, there is a recording telling you all about the FAQ's about swine flu.

Or here: www.cdc.gov/swineflu

Not a reason to stop eating out...people should check their local listings for the "most unclean restaurants" in their areas if they want REAL reasons to not eat out!

[X factor]

I can't help but read some comments here with seeing the public freak-out and roll my eyes. "The sky is falling, the sky is falling." Melissa, correct me if I'm wrong, but this is just about on par with getting our typical influenza virus, correct? Which is pretty much rampant in the fall and winter. Yet people don't flip the hell out over it and stop eating in public restaurants. Best I understand, this strain as with the typical, is easily vanquished with stuff like Tamiflu.

Guys, the mass media outlets are over-sensationalizing this story because we're approaching sweeps. Be rational.

No Rhi. The sky IS falling! Just like it did for bird fl...uhh, ok. I mean SAR....no...uh, ANTHRA....no...wait, wait, it'll come to me..OH YEAH- Y2....nope, that didn't happen either...


Actually I'm being a bit facetious, as I've certainly been concerned by all the alarmist media stuff too. But what really worries me is that a few people are gonna die of this, summer tourism is gonna grind to a screeching halt, and what little economic recovery we HAVE seen is gonna fly right out the window. To me, that's much more of a likelihood than millions dying from this flu.

[StevePerryHair]

I can't help but read some comments here with seeing the public freak-out and roll my eyes. "The sky is falling, the sky is falling." Melissa, correct me if I'm wrong, but this is just about on par with getting our typical influenza virus, correct? Which is pretty much rampant in the fall and winter. Yet people don't flip the hell out over it and stop eating in public restaurants. Best I understand, this strain as with the typical, is easily vanquished with stuff like Tamiflu.

Guys, the mass media outlets are over-sensationalizing this story because we're approaching sweeps. Be rational.

No Rhi. The sky IS falling! Just like it did for bird fl...uhh, ok. I mean SAR....no...uh, ANTHRA....no...wait, wait, it'll come to me..OH YEAH- Y2....nope, that didn't happen either...


Actually I'm being a bit facetious, as I've certainly been concerned by all the alarmist media stuff too. But what really worries me is that a few people are gonna die of this, summer tourism is gonna grind to a screeching halt, and what little economic recovery we HAVE seen is gonna fly right out the window. To me, that's much more of a likelihood than millions dying from this flu.

That worries me too. This could injure the economy worse than it already is. At least even with how bad it's been, people were still traveling, stimulating the economy. The news media sucks.

[SP Fan in Oregon]

whoa.... eating pork has nothing to do with swine flu. those that work closely with swine are at a higher risk. it is transmitted from pig to human to human or something, not because you ate some carnitas or a pulled pork sandwich. i think there is a lot of paranoia here. sure, be careful but come on.

I think she meant eating at home while this is going on to avoid restaurant people handling food you'll be eating... that's how I read it. And that's a good point, thinking of how many places don't require gloves be worn and not knowing what the heck goes on in those kitchens.

That is what I meant. I never get sick until I go out and eat in a restaurant, even fine restaurants because the people preparing the food
are already sick with some flu bug (not necessarily swine flu). With reduced staff these places make their sick employees come to work anyway. I sued
the Red Lion restaurant a few years back when they had two employees handling food in the salad bar,(without gloves), fed to 50 Rotarians having lunch at the Red Lion. All 50 people
came down with norovirus and some almost died from the effects of exhaustion and dehydration from going out both ends for days on end. Norovirus is the virus that breaks out on many cruises too,
in the past 5 years. You hear about it from time to time. If you really want to know the restaurants to not go to, check out your local health department reports on restaurants with violations.
You can't believe some kitchens, and what you are being fed. I prefer to eat at home and prepare my own food from fresh raw food purchased in a whole foods organic food store. I'm very skeptical
of our food supply. Anyone ever read Robin Cook's book TOXIN?