AFP: Mexico City lifts flu restrictions

MEXICO City officials on Thursday fully lifted health restrictions imposed last month when the deadly H1N1 flu virus first spread shockwaves throughout the country, particularly in the capital.

The A(H1N1) virus has killed 75 in Mexico and infected 3,817 people, according to the health ministry.

The website of the the sprawling capital dropped its five-level alert to the lowest level green on Thursday, signaling that schools, businesses and transport could function as normal, without extra health precautions.

Most children returned to school last week across the country, while a handful of states with suspected cases waited until this week to re-open, as officials assured the public that the virus is on the wane.

'We can calm down now,' said Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard in a news conference.

AFP: Mexico City lifts flu restrictions

Time Magazine: A New Pandemic Fear: A Shortage of Surgical Masks

If the currently circulating flu virus does in fact reach full-fledged pandemic proportions, U.S. health officials say there won't be enough face masks to go around.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says the nation would need more than 30 billion masks — 27 billion of the simple surgical kind, which can be worn safely for only about two hours before needing replacement, and 5 billion of the sturdier respirator variety, which also requires regular replacement — to protect all Americans adequately in the event of a serious epidemic.

But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Strategic National Stockpile currently contains only 119 million masks — 39 million surgical and 80 million respirator.

Time Magazine: A New Pandemic Fear: A Shortage of Surgical Masks

NY Daily News: When will Mayor Bloomberg close the schools?

In a column in The NY Daily News, Juan Gonzalez writes today:

When will Mayor Bloomberg finally heed the pleas of anxious public school parents and teachers and order wholesale closings of swine flu-afflicted schools?

What will it take for Hizzoner and the Health Department to shutter at least those buildings in the Queens school districts that have become the epicenter of this new epidemic?

At Public School 21 in Flushing, where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed one swine flu case earlier this month, 164 of the school's 800 students were absent Tuesday.

As swine flu keeps causing panic, when will Mayor Bloomberg close the schools?

Influenza A(H1N1) - update 34

As of 06:00 GMT, 20 May 2009, 41 countries have officially reported 10 243 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 80 deaths.

The breakdown of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases by country is given in the following table and map.

Map of the spread of Influenza A(H1N1) As of 06:00 GMT, 20 May 2009

WHO Update with a breakdown of the 41 countries

Swine flu Influenza A H1N1 update 27, WHO

As of 06:00 GMT, 13 May 2009, 33 countries have officially reported 5728 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 2059 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 56 deaths.

The United States has reported 3009 laboratory confirmed human cases, including three deaths. Canada has reported 358 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported eight laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Brazil (8), China (3, comprising 1 in China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and 2 in mainland China), Colombia (6), Cuba (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (4), Finland (2), France (13), Germany (12), Guatemala (3), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (4), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (7), Norway (2), Panama (29), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (98), Sweden (2), Switzerland (1), Thailand (2), and the United Kingdom (68).

Swine flu Influenza A H1N1 update 27, WHO

WHO Investigating Claim That New H1N1 Virus Came From A Lab

The World Health Organization (WHO) is investigating a claim by an Australian scientist that the new A(H1N1) influenza virus that was identified three weeks ago in Mexico and has now infected thousands of people in 33 countries around the world, came from a lab as a result of human error.

Adrian Gibbs, a 75-year old researcher who has studied germ evolution for over 40 years and who worked on the early development of antiviral drugs for influenza, sent a 3 page study about his analysis to the WHO last weekend. Gibbs said that he also intends to publish the study.

WHO Investigating Claim That New H1N1 Virus Came From A Lab

This Blog Is On A Short Break

Due to a short break, this blog will not be updated till next tuesday.

AP - WHO: "No plans for phase 6; Mexico says flu ebbing

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Mexican officials lowered their flu alert level in the capital on Monday and said they will allow cafes, museums and libraries to reopen this week. World health officials weighed raising their pandemic alert to the highest level.

Mexican officials declared the epidemic to be waning, announcing that Wednesday will conclude a five-day closure of nonessential businesses that was called to stop the spread of the new virus. Health officials need to finish inspecting schools before students can return to class.

In New York on Monday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the World Health Organization 'has no plan to raise the alert level to 6 at this moment.' WHO chief Margaret Chan also told the U.N. General Assembly by videolink from Geneva that 'we are not there yet.'

In an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Pais published Monday, Chan implied the agency might raise its alert. She played down the impact of going to level 6, saying she was concerned about causing unnecessary panic.

AP - WHO: "No plan for level 6"; Mexico says flu ebbing

Al Jazeera English - Americas - Global flu cases top 1,000

The number of cases of H1N1 flu confirmed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has passed the 1,000 mark.

Margaret Chan, the WHO chief, told the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday that the health body has recorded 1,003 cases of the i nfluenza from 20 countries.

Chan, however, said there was 'no indication that we are facing a situation similar to that in 1918,' when a flu pandemic killed about 50 million people.

But in comments published in a newspaper earlier on Monday, Chan warned that a second wave of the H1N1 virus 'would be the biggest of all outbreaks the world has faced in the 21st century.'

She told the Financial Times that the virus could re-emerge in the months ahead 'with a vengeance'.

'I'm not predicting the pandemic will blow up, but if I miss it and we don't prepare, I fail. I'd rather over-prepare than not prepare,' she told the newspaper.

Al Jazeera English - Americas - Global flu cases top 1,000

Pan American Health Organization - Organización Panamericana de la Salud - Update Influenza AH1N1: Regional Report ( 5/2, sorry, I missed it)

To date, the United States has confirmed a total of 160 human cases of influenza A (H1N1): 4 in Arizona, 24 in California, 2 in Colorado, 1 in Connecticut, 4 in Delaware, 2 in Florida, 3 in Illinois, 3 in Indiana, 2 in Kansas, 1 in Kentucky, 8 in Massachusetts, 2 in Michigan, 1 in Minnesota, 1 in Missouri, 1 in Nebraska, 1 in Nevada, 7 in New Jersey, 50 in New York, 1 in Ohio, 13 in South Carolina, 28 in Texas and 2 in Virginia. Other suspected cases are being investigated. 6 hospitalizations and a death have been registered. The dead case is a child of 22 months old. The age range of the confirmed cases is from 22 months to 81 years (a median of 16 years).

From 17 April to May 1st, Mexico has reported 4,691 suspected cases of influenza with severe pneumonia including 99 deaths.

Pan American Health Organization: Update Influenza AH1N1: Regional Report (2 May 2009)

WHO | Influenza A(H1N1) - update 13

Official bulletin of the World Health Organisation

As of 06:00 GMT, 4 May 2009, 20 countries have officially reported 985 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 590 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 25 deaths. The higher number of cases from Mexico reflects ongoing testing of previously collected specimens. The United States has reported 226 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (85), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Costa Rica (1), Colombia (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (2), Germany (8), Ireland (1), Israel (3), Italy (1), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (4), Republic of Korea (1), Spain (40), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (15).

WHO | Influenza A(H1N1) - update 13

Deccan Herald - Mexico raises flu toll to 22 dead, 568 infected

Mexico's toll from the A/H1N1 influenza virus has increased to 22 dead and 568 infected cases, Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said.

The previous toll, given earlier yesterday, was 19 dead and 487 infected.

'There are 590 positive cases, of which 568 people are alive and 22 are people who are unfortunately deceased,' Cordova told a news conference late yesterday.

He said the tally resulted from lab tests on 1,523 suspect cases compiled since the outbreak of the swine flu.

Fifteen of the fatalities were women and seven were men, he said. Most died in Mexico City.

Deccan Herald - Mexico raises flu toll to 22 dead, 568 infected

Media Matters - Mark Feldstein (ex-CNN): "The media have an economic interest in promoting the fear"

Media Matters for America has an interesting little video.
The Media overdo the flu. Yes, they are selling ads.
The quote former CNN reporter Mark Feldstein: "The media have ... an economic vested interest in promoting the fear"

Media Matters - Mark Feldstein (ex-CNN): "The media have an economic interest in promoting the fear"

Talking about economic vested interest: don't forget to click my Google Ads on the way out!

The Associated Press: Medical detectives probe flu virus spread in NYC

NEW YORK (AP) When a team of medical detectives from New York City's health department first arrived at a Queens school stricken by swine flu on April 24, the situation looked bad.

In a matter of days, nearly 660 kids at the St. Francis Preparatory School had developed fever and a wicked cough. A third of the student body was sick. Two dozen teachers and staff also fell ill. Students brought the illness home, and hundreds of their relatives got sick too.

Within days, 1,000 people connected to the school had flu symptoms. The virus appeared poised to break out and infect millions.

But then, the bug took a break...

Read the rest of the article here:
The Associated Press: Medical detectives probe flu virus spread in NYC

CDC: Advice for Parents on Talking to Children About Novel H1N1 Flu Concerns

As a parent you know how hard it can be for children to understand stressful situations, such as the current situation of novel H1N1 flu. Stressful situations often cause children to worry and have many questions as to why it is happening and how it can be fixed. It is important to remember to take care of your health and well-being as well as the health of your children. If you cope with a stressful situation well, your children will also cope better. Your confidence and calm attitude will help your children ease their worries and feel safe and secure.

Here are some helpful tips on what you can do for your children:

CDC: Advice for Parents on Talking to Children About Novel H1N1 Flu Concerns

Ennahar Online - Clashes between police and pig breeders in Cairo

Violent clashes erupted Sunday in Cairo between pig breeders and the police who come to take their animals for slaughter, according to a journalist on the spot.

Three to four hundred residents of Manchiyet Nasr at the top of the Moqattam hill began to throw stones and bottles at police dispatched to the scene in mid-day.

A few hundred anti-riot policemen then responded by launching tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators, mostly young people.

The government ordered Wednesday the slaughter of some 250,000 pigs, raised in the country, as a measure against swine influenza, while no cases of the flu has occurred in Egypt and that the WHO has identified no contamination case of a pig to man.

Ennahar Online - Swine flu: Clashes between police and pig breeders in Cairo

Expatica Spain: Spanish cases of swine flu rise to 40

MADRID - The number of confirmed swine flu cases in Spain has risen to 40, double the previous number, Madrid's health ministry announced Sunday, adding that only six victims were still being treated in hospital.

'Thirty-four of the 40 confirmed cases have been discharged from hospital and have returned home,' the ministry said, adding that the victims had responded favourably to treatment.

A total of 83 people were still in isolation amid checks on whether they had contracted the A(H1N1) flu virus.

The previous health ministry statement issued late Saturday put the number of confirmed cases at 20, with 99 suspected cases.

Spain is by far Europe's most affected country.

Expatica Spain: Spanish cases of swine flu rise to 40

The Associated Press: Developments on swine flu worldwide

Key developments on swine flu outbreaks, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and government officials:

_Deaths: 19 confirmed in Mexico and one confirmed in U.S., a 21-month-old boy from Mexico who died in Texas.

_Confirmed sickened worldwide, 872: 506 in Mexico; 197 in U.S.; 85 in Canada; 40 in Spain; 16 in Britain; eight in Germany; four in New Zealand; two in Italy, France, Israel, and South Korea; one each in Colombia; Costa Rica, Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Hong Kong, Denmark and the Netherlands.

The Associated Press: Developments on swine flu worldwide

The first song (?) from Mexico about H1N1

The Associated Press: Canada says pigs found with new swine flu virus

OTTAWA (AP) — Canadian officials say pigs in the province of Alberta have been infected with the new swine flu virus and are under quarantine.

It is the first known reported case of the new virus infecting pigs.

Swine flu regularly causes outbreaks in pigs, and the officials stressed that the pigs do not pose a food safety risk.

The officials told a press conference Saturday that the pigs were thought to be infected by a Canadian farm worker who recently visited Mexico and got sick after returning to Canada.

Officials said the traveler has recovered and that the pigs are 'well on their way to recovery.' They did not say how many pigs were affected."

The Associated Press: Canada says pigs found with new swine flu virus