Flu Outbreak in Mexico

[liveonearth]

--a swine flu
--not known where it began
--currently all over Mexico (including near the US border) and inside the US (CA)
--known outbreak began in mid March, this is very late in flu season
--they're calling it "entirely new". Is that H1N5? Or??
--affects young adults the most (possibly because older adults are more likely to have been exposed to a previous similar flu and to be immune)
--schools and events in Mexico City are closed
--in Mexico so far: 60 deaths and 1000 infected
--authorities are working to determine what kind of flu it is and come up with a vaccine
--athorities all over the world are working furiously on their prevention plans
--a "cure" is said to be possible if the flu is detected and treated early

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8017000/8017958.stm

Comments

[calizen.livejournal.com]

I know that scientists/epidemiologists have been waiting for this "killer" flu for a long time. We'll have to see what happens. Or if it's just the first thrust in the coming pandemic.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Mexico started out downplaying this flu, but too many people died to keep it secret. They're attempting to slow the spread. There is an international effort to detect the transmission of the flu to any new regions, but no travel bans from Mexico, so it almost certainly will spread.

We are past due for the next viral pandemic, if historical patterns are any indication.

[calizen.livejournal.com]

Just heard the CDC has announced a public health emergency over this.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Yep. I saw the Whitehouse briefing. Seems like an "emergency" declaration opens doors to MONEY for authorities to do what they need to do. They're downplaying the potential risk.