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Chart explaining the influenza pandemic alert levels, courtesy of the WHO
With 148 cases of swine flu in nine countries (Mexico has 26, including seven deaths; the U.S. has 91—51 cases in NYC—and one death), the World Health Organization raised the influenza pandemic threat level to 5, right under Phase 6, which is a full-blown pandemic. Here's how the WHO defines Phases 5 and 6:
Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.Phase 6, the pandemic phase, is characterized by community level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region in addition to the criteria defined in Phase 5. Designation of this phase will indicate that a global pandemic is under way.
WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan explained, "This change to a higher phase of alert is a signal to governments, to ministries of health and other ministries, to the pharmaceutical industry and the business community that certain actions should now be undertaken with increased urgency, and at an accelerated pace."
Chan was serious, "The biggest question is this -- how severe will the pandemic be, especially now at the start. It really is all of humanity that is under threat during a pandemic," but also added, "On the positive side, the world is better prepared for an influenza pandemic than at any time in history. Preparedness measures undertaken because of the threat from H5N1 avian influenza were an investment, and we are now benefitting from this investment." The silver lining of the bird flu!
Five city schools—one public, four private—have been closed, but Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden says all the people with confirmed cases of swine flu are recovering. Federal health officials are confident in NYC's efforts, CDC Rear Admiral Anne Schuchat said, "The New York City Health Department is phenomenal. They do a superb job and they really lead the nation in their capacity in evaluation. CDC is working closely with them in response to the situation there." More details at the CDC and WHO. Also, Slate tackled the issue of whether face masks offer protection.
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Everyone should calm down.
Do you know what kills a lot more people than swine flu? Regular flu.
Regular flu kills over 250,000 people every year. Look it up, it's true.
Who raises the threat level? STIGMA does!
There is still lack of information out there from experts. The biggest concern is will this swine flu pandemic kill healthy people without underlining disease or chronic health. While a regular flu most likely can not kill healthy people.
Just one of the 91 people in the entire USA who has the swine flu has died. The rest are not dead. Most are probably gonna heal just fine.
So really, the US swine flu death count is: ONE. Not really newsworthy, right?
Worldwide flu deaths are 250,000 per year. Flu infections are in the multiple millions.
One should really stop and ask themselves, how the fuck can I get a high paying job working with a bunch of blah blah blahs who think they know something about saving the world in a pandemic situation? And your co-workers don't know shit.
The world is coming to an end.
gothamist hasn't mentioned "cytokine storms" yet...
Is it zombie apocalypse time yet?
jen chung: mexico only has 26??????????????????? please please proofread.
ok im wrong. the website says 26 but all the other news orgs. are saying mexico has over 100. i dont understand.
I'm pretty sure it's 26 confirmed cases in Mexico, versus 100's of suspected cases. I believe that at least in the US, it has to be confirmed by CDC before it is added to the official tally. Perhaps Mexico has a similar method.
Someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets and it's called pig flu. All you guys misusing darwinism, here is where it's gonna apply.
Vitamin C, Oil of oregano, Garlic, sleep, water, happyness.
But if you want to give your baby Vitamin C, good ol fashion Tropicana 100% orange juice might do the trick (but I am not sure if Babies can take that, can they?). Or other natural sources.
For adults, make sure you take 5000 units of Vitamin C a day! (you can take less, but if you want a strong immune system...).
Also, Vitamin A and D.
And it has to be ORGANIC Vitamin C (made of Rose hips) not that synthetic crap sold at these large chain drug stores (I am looking at you Walgreens, Walmart, Rite Aid, CVS).
Buy them at Organic Stores such as Whole Foods or your local Organic Health store.
This also applies to Vitamin D and A.