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]

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.