Someone posted the question about how lng the virus can live outside the body....anyone have any input on this? Scary, considering we have alot of cargo and food items coming from mexico into the US every day. I am concerned about this due to my job and what we get from mexico.

"Mexican officials say fatalities jumped from 68 to 81 in 24 hours..."

F-me runnin'.This is so not good.


From NY State:

"DOH is also setting up a toll-free number for New York State residents who have questions or concerns about swine flu. The hotline number is 1-800-808-1987. It will be available 24 hours a day, beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2009."
From the BNO Newsroom, as released by the New York's Governor Office.

New York, NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) – Governor David A. Paterson has directed the New York State Department of Health (DOH) to activate its infectious disease, epidemiology, laboratory, disaster preparedness and health systems staff to coordinate efforts across the State as eight cases of probable swine influenza (swine flu) were identified in New York City today. Samples from these cases have been sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmatory testing. The CDC is currently the only laboratory that has the capability to confirm swine flu (H1N1). DOH is coordinating with the Nassau and Suffolk County health departments on investigations of additional possible cases on Long Island.

“I want to reassure all New Yorkers that we are taking appropriate measures to address these probable cases of swine flu,” said Governor Paterson. “The New York State Department of Health is working closely with the CDC, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, all local health departments across the State, hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers. Earlier today, we shipped 1,500 treatment courses of Tamiflu to New York City. These will be used to treat any severely ill probable swine flu cases or household contacts of probable cases who have underlying chronic health conditions, placing them at extra risk.”

My question is,after reading around so much: is the damn Tamiflu going to do anything if it is the swine-strain or is this simply a reassurance that "help is available" to avoid a panic?

[edit on 25-4-2009 by irishchic]

Originally posted by sweatmonicaIdo
I don't know if anyone else is aware of this, but there is actually a contingency plan within Northern Command, CONPLAN 2591 NORTHCOM, which is designed to handle pandemic influenza.

I think a discussion has to be held here on how likely the possibility is that CONPLAN 2591 will be enacted. My guess it would have to be a major outbreak here in the United States for such a plan to be activated. Difficulty in discussing this is due to the fact there is no information availiable on the Internet that discusses what the plan entails.

That's not too big a deal. Any employee of or contractor employed by municipalities or government organizations should have a contingency plan in place. I'm sure these sorts of things have been in place for a very, very long time. Many of them were updated as a result of the media-sponsored fearmongering related to avian flu, which seemed at its peak in 2006/2007.

On a side note, I'm very curious about the "death due to immune system reaction" idea. I mean, if this is true, some of the Americans should've been killed by now. And a previous poster suggested that, due to the lower health standards, Mexicans have better immune systems (respectfully, I'm pretty skeptical of this notion). Wouldn't that lower the Mexico City/swine flu death rate against (in this idea) a higher American death rate?

On a side note, I'm very curious about the "death due to immune system reaction" idea. I mean, if this is true, some of the Americans should've been killed by now. And a previous poster suggested that, due to the lower health standards, Mexicans have better immune systems (respectfully, I'm pretty skeptical of this notion). Wouldn't that lower the Mexico City/swine flu death rate against (in this idea) a higher American death rate?

That is my theory... scientists say that this virus is acting like the 1918 virus. The 1918 virus attacked those with a strong immune system, making the immune system attack the body.

My theory is that american's immune system is weaker than mexican's because of the environment. In america, we live all our life in a ``too clean environment`` and in Mexico, especially in Mexico city, it's like living in the sewers, so they have a stronger immune system otherwise they would be dead by now.t

Americans or anyone living in a too clean environment: weaker immune system: less lethal.
Mexicans or anyone living in a dirty environment: stronger immune system: more lethal.

From the WHO:

The current situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. However, more information is needed before a decision could be made concerning the appropriateness of the current alert level.

Yeah let's wait thousands die before putting quarantines at the border...

[edit on 25-4-2009 by Vitchilo]