A dangerous and never-before-seen flu strain has claimed at least 81 lives and sickened more than a thousand people in Mexico and has spread to the United States.
The CDC says it will issue daily updates here. As of Sunday night,
20 cases had been confirmed in the United States. (Ohio-one case, Kansas-2 cases, New York-8 cases, California-7 cases and Texas-two cases.) None of the swine flu cases in the U.S. has been as severe as those reported in Mexico.
Over the weekend,
The World Health Organization called the "swine flu" outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern."
U.S. officials declared a public health emergency on Sunday.
The declaration included a recommendation that school systems get prepared to close if necessary to stem the spread of the flu.
The New York Times reported:
"The emergency declaration frees government resources to be used toward diagnosing or preventing additional cases, and releases money for more antiviral drugs. ...
"Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano ... called the emergency declaration 'standard operating procedure,' and said it should be considered a 'declaration of emergency preparedness.'
" 'Really that's what we're doing right now,' she said. 'We're preparing in an environment where we really don't know ultimately what the size of seriousness of this outbreak is going to be.'
"...So far, there have been no deaths from swine flu in the United States, and only one of the people who tested positive for the disease has been hospitalized, officials said.
"Still, officials said they expect more severe cases."
There are other reports of suspected flu cases.
The New Zealand Herald reported Sunday night:
NZ Health Minister Tony Ryall has this evening confirmed ten positive influenza results from testing carried out on 13 Rangitoto College students who returned from Mexico early yesterday morning.
"Ministry of Health officials advise me there is no guarantee these students have swine influenza, but they consider it likely.
says cases are showing up in Canada:
Canadian health officials reported six “mild” cases of swine flu on Sunday — the first confirmed cases in Canada since an outbreak of the illness began in Mexico several days ago — and warned there could be more cases in the days ahead.
:
"Mexico City has closed universities and schools until further notice, suspended all major public events and advised people feeling flu-like symptoms to stay home from work.
"Mexico City's busiest subway stations are handing out face masks to passengers to use on crowded train carriages. The city government has closed museums, including the popular Anthropology Museum.
"Authorities recommend people avoid crowded places and have cautioned people not to shake hands or kiss when greeting or to share food, glasses or cutlery.
"The government has also extended the deadline on filing tax returns by a month to the end of May."
So far there have been no travel or trade restrictions to or from Mexico.
Reuters said:
"U.S. Commerce Department data show about 5.9 million U.S. citizens flew to Mexico in 2008.
"The last major health-related disruption of air travel occurred during the 2002-2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, outbreak, which killed hundreds of people around the world.
"The outbreak, which began in China, came on the heels of the Sept. 11 attacks and hit earnings for airlines with large operations in Asia.
" 'Avian flu in 1997 and SARS in 2002-2003 killed economic activity, so a swine flu problem in 2009 might result in more of the same,' said Stephen Schork, editor of the Schork Report, an energy-related newsletter in Philadelphia.
"In 2008, Mexico was the top export market for U.S. beef, with sales valued at nearly $1.4 billion. It was the No. 2 market for U.S. pork, valued at $691.28 million."
The good news is the virus seems to respond to some medicines.
The last big swine flu scare was in 1976.
Background from the CDC:
I'm seeing a lot of absence of context in the...
