| Elenna |
04-28-2009 08:15 PM |
Before you rush out and try and buy Tamiflu, etc, remember that there is no vaccine. Tamiflu will only help you if you have already contracted it.
In case it is useful or interesting, I wanted to pass along some information that we were sent by the CDC (I work for a health clinic):
Situation Update- Today CDC is reporting 64 human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) in the United States (an increase in 24 over the number of cases reported yesterday. This includes 17 additional cases in New York, 3 additional cases in California and 4 additional cases in Texas.)
- The confirmed case count is: California (10), Kansas (2), New York (45), Ohio (1) and Texas (6).
- In addition, 5 hospitalizations from swine flu have been reported.
- No deaths have been confirmed so far.
- Because this is a new virus, most people will not have immunity to it and so illness may be more severe and widespread as a result.
- The picture on the world stage is more somber today too.
- Internationally, cases have now been confirmed in Canada, Mexico, Scotland and Spain. Spain (1), Scotland (2).
- All three of these cases had recent travel to Mexico.
- Based on the rapid spread of the virus thus far, we believe that more cases will be identified over the coming weeks and months.
- Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of a new influenza virus to which humans have not previously been widely exposed and which cause ?community-level outbreaks.?
- The change to a higher phase of pandemic alert indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased.
- As further information becomes available, WHO may decide to either revert to Phase 3 or raise the level of alert to another phase.
- This decision was based primarily on epidemiological data demonstrating human-to-human transmission and the ability of the virus to cause community-level outbreaks.
- This is indeed sobering, but it?s important to keep in mind that we are not helpless.
- The Federal Government is mounting an aggressive response to this outbreak.
- To this end, CDC continues to update guidance. New guidance has been issued overnight. Visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu/swine for more information or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
- This is a rapidly evolving situation and guidance should be considered interim and will be updated frequently.
- Yesterday (April 27), CDC issued a travel health warning recommending that travelers postpone all non-essential travel to Mexico until further notice.
- At the local level, some schools have been closed in parts of California, Texas and Ohio.
- Community-level social distancing efforts to slow the spread of disease will be in an important tool at our disposal against this swine influenza outbreak.
- Simply put ?social distancing? is a way of ?keeping our distance? from each other to lessen the spread of flu.
- Many people believe that there is no treatment for a viral infection and that it must run its course. That is not true!
- Influenza antiviral drugs work best when stated soon after illness onset (within two 2 days), but treatment with antiviral drugs should still be considered after 48 hours of symptom onset, particularly for hospitalized patients or people at high risk for influenza-related complications.
Public- There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu, but we have begun the process to get a vaccine developed.
- But as mentioned before, we do have antiviral medications in our arsenal against flu.
- In addition, there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
- Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Do not go to work or school if you are sick. CDC recommends that you limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- If you are sick, do not go to work or school.
Additionally:
A suspected case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with acute febrile respiratory illness with onset - within 7 days of close contact with a person who is a confirmed case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, or
- within 7 days of travel to community either within the United States or internationally where there are one or more confirmed swine influenza A(H1N1) cases,
- or resides in a community where there are one or more confirmed swine influenza cases.
THIS IS NOT TIME TO PANIC??IT IS TIME TO PREPARE? |
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