Sunday, April 26, 2009
Swine Flu Google Map
A biomedical researcher from Pittsburgh has put together a great Google Map of the currently confirmed Swine Flu cases.
Links and Stats from CDC's Investigation
The CDC has posted a page about their ongoing Swine Flu investigation.
Confirmed cases as of April 26, 2009 9:00 AM ET:
Some good news is that, according to the CDC, lab tests have shown that the swine flu virus (H1N1) does respond to antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).
Confirmed cases as of April 26, 2009 9:00 AM ET:
- California - 7
- Kansas - 2
- New York City - 8
- Ohio - 1
- Texas - 2
- Total U.S. Count - 20
Some good news is that, according to the CDC, lab tests have shown that the swine flu virus (H1N1) does respond to antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).
What is swine flu ?
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 humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses has been documented. See General Information about Swine Flu.
From December 2005 through February 2009, a total of 12 human infections with swine influenza were reported from 10 states in the United States. Since March 2009, a number of confirmed human cases of a new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the U.S. and internationally have been identified. An investigation into these cases is ongoing. For more information see Human Swine Flu Investigation.
(from U.S. CDC)
From December 2005 through February 2009, a total of 12 human infections with swine influenza were reported from 10 states in the United States. Since March 2009, a number of confirmed human cases of a new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the U.S. and internationally have been identified. An investigation into these cases is ongoing. For more information see Human Swine Flu Investigation.
(from U.S. CDC)
First Hand Accounts from Mexico
The BBC is publishing first hand accounts of the swine flu outbreak in Mexico.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/8018428.stm
The reports are definitely concerning. For example:
I'm a specialist doctor in respiratory diseases and intensive care at the Mexican National Institute of Health. There is a severe emergency over the swine flu here. More and more patients are being admitted to the intensive care unit. Despite the heroic efforts of all staff (doctors, nurses, specialists, etc) patients continue to inevitably die. The truth is that anti-viral treatments and vaccines are not expected to have any effect, even at high doses. It is a great fear among the staff. The infection risk is very high among the doctors and health staff.
There is a sense of chaos in the other hospitals and we do not know what to do. Staff are starting to leave and many are opting to retire or apply for holidays. The truth is that mortality is even higher than what is being reported by the authorities, at least in the hospital where I work it. It is killing three to four patients daily, and it has been going on for more than three weeks. It is a shame and there is great fear here. Increasingly younger patients aged 20 to 30 years are dying before our helpless eyes and there is great sadness among health professionals here.
Antonio Chavez, Mexico City
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/8018428.stm
The reports are definitely concerning. For example:
I'm a specialist doctor in respiratory diseases and intensive care at the Mexican National Institute of Health. There is a severe emergency over the swine flu here. More and more patients are being admitted to the intensive care unit. Despite the heroic efforts of all staff (doctors, nurses, specialists, etc) patients continue to inevitably die. The truth is that anti-viral treatments and vaccines are not expected to have any effect, even at high doses. It is a great fear among the staff. The infection risk is very high among the doctors and health staff.
There is a sense of chaos in the other hospitals and we do not know what to do. Staff are starting to leave and many are opting to retire or apply for holidays. The truth is that mortality is even higher than what is being reported by the authorities, at least in the hospital where I work it. It is killing three to four patients daily, and it has been going on for more than three weeks. It is a shame and there is great fear here. Increasingly younger patients aged 20 to 30 years are dying before our helpless eyes and there is great sadness among health professionals here.
Antonio Chavez, Mexico City
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