http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/24/swine-flu-deaths-mexico...
Swine flu epidemic kills 16 in Mexico City
Fears of a pandemic rise as authorities close public buildings in an attempt to control the spread of the virus
* Jo Tuckman in Mexico City
* guardian.co.uk, Friday 24 April 2009 17.02 BST
* Article history
An epidemic of a swine flu never identified before has broken out in Mexico City killing at least 16 people so far and raising fears of a pandemic.
All schools, museums, libraries and state-run theatres in the metropolitan area were closed today in an attempt to control the spread of the virus that authorities say may be linked to a further 45 deaths.
"This is a new virus that we haven't seen before," health minister Jose Angel Córdova said in an interview with MVS radio. "We have taken these measures because this is a virus that has the potential to become a pandemic."
The authorities say they are investigating close to 1,000 suspicious cases of flu that they are concerned may prove to be caused by the new virus. Most are in the metropolitan area of 20 million people, although three other Mexican states have also been affected to a lesser degree.
There have also been seven reported cases of the same virus reported in the United States, five in Southern California and two in Texas. All those patients have recovered.
The Mexican minister said the authorities were considering extending the precautions to include shutting down workplaces as well as public buildings, but for the moment urged employers to be tolerant of absences.
He said that while the situation was "very worrying" he believed the epidemic "is controllable".
The impact of the preventative measures on city life was felt immediately as the population woke up to news of the epidemic that was announced in a late night statement. Radio and TV stations repeated official advice to stay away from crowded places "unless urgently necessary," and to seek medical help at the first sign of the very high fevers and acute respiratory symptoms associated with the illness.
At Mexico City's biggest airport, airlines began requiring passengers checking in for domestic and international flights to fill out forms to help decide who could be at risk of carrying the virus. Anybody deemed to be so was reportedly asked not to fly.
Meanwhile, the media was flooded with questions from city dwellers concerned about everything from the dangers of eating pork to travel on the metro.
Many people heading to work in the morning wore blue surgical face masks, and chemists said their supplies were running out.
The partial shutting down of the metropolis was a dramatic reversal from the government's previous position that minimised the unusual number of flu deaths picked up by the media, saying it was due to an extension of winter.
Córdova said the sudden change of tack happened when samples analysed in highly specialised laboratories in Canada and the US revealed that the virus causing the deaths was a completely different strain.
The Geneva-based WHO said it was concerned about the epidemic and had activated its Strategic Health Operations Centre. The agency added that it was in daily contact with US, Canadian and Mexican authorities.
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http://www.kwch.com/Global/story.asp?S=10248500
Two in Dickinson County Test Positive for Swine Flu
April 26, 2009 06:24 AM
April 26, 2009 11:28 AM
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Swine Flu Has "Pandemic Potential"
By Chris Durden (TOPEKA, Kan.)
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirms two cases of swine flu in Kansas.
The two people are a husband and wife from Dickinson County. The KDHE says one of the patients recently traveled to Mexico, flying in and out of Wichita. Both people work in Saline County. Neither of the patients was hospitalized - one is still ill and being treated. The other is recovering.
The couple has the same strain of swine flu that's killed dozens in Mexico and sickened thousands in that country, California and Texas. The head of the World Health Organization says the outbreak has "pandemic potential," and it may be too late to contain the outbreak.
"It's not yet known whether this will become the next flu pandemic," says Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips, State Health Officer and Director of the KDHE Division of Health. "We are working closely with health agencies at all levels and are continuing to monitor these cases. We are taking this situation very seriously."
New York officials announced Saturday that eight students there probably have swine flu, but they're unsure of strain type.
Click here to learn more about the swine flu and get answers to some frequently asked questions.
KDHE and the Dickinson County Health Department are investigating the sources of exposure, and efforts are being coordinated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
People who have been in contact with the patients are being interviewed and tested. Local health departments and hospitals in Kansas are receiving information about the virus.
The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include:
* Fever greater than 100 degrees
* Body aches
* Coughing
* Sore throat
* Respiratory congestion
* In some cases, diarrhea and vomiting
People who experience these symptoms should contact their physician, who will determine whether testing or treatment is needed. There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. As with any influenza virus, individuals are encouraged to take the following steps to reduce spread:
* Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
* Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.
* Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.
* Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.
The KDHE Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology received a report of unusual flu-like illness from Dickinson County Friday afternoon. Samples collected from both patients were sent to the KDHE.
Early Saturday morning, preliminary results were positive for influenza A viruses. KDHE notified the Dickinson County Health Department, which notified the attending physician.
KDHE used Governor Sebelius' plane to transport the samples to the CDC labs in Atlanta for further tests.
Swine flu infections in humans are rare, but are related to close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig production barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. Neither of the current patients in Kansas reported having contact with pigs.