The new H1N1 swine-avian-human influenza is certainly getting its share of headlines. It will be interesting to see how this event progresses, and the reactions of the populace and governments. Here are some updates:
The Mexican Flu now has a Wikipedia page that seems to be kept quite up to date.
Here is a Google map showing the locales of confirmed and suspected cases
Doc D. mentioned this piece at Mashable: How To: Track Swine Flu Online
SurvivalBlog readers in Texas and Southern California have already noted shortages of Sambucol at their local drug stores. It is safe to assume that if the contagion spreads rapidly that there will be lots of shortages of N95 respirators, disposable coarse-mesh paper masks (not much good against even clumped viruses), hand sanitizer, Tamiflu, Sambucol, Cipro, and canned goods.
Several SurvivalBlog readers have written to mention that Mexico City is a powder keg. For example, reader Greg C. wrote to ask: “Has anyone thought about where 20 million residents of Mexico City will go when they all start to panic and bug out of the city?”
Have you ever wondered how viruses can spread so quickly? A YouTube animation of airline flight paths is fascinating. (Thanks to Susan W. for the link.)Whilst there, I spotted a worldwide view of air traffic.
Safecastle (one of our advertisers), reports that they’ve had a huge increase in sales of HarzardID decontamination kits. I don’t expect those to last long.
News Headlines: (Special thanks to Cheryl, aka “The Economatrix” for sending most of these)
Swine flu and deaths in healthy adults–cytokine storm?
Asia on alert over swine flu threat
Face Masks Analyzed as Aid in Flu Pandemic (Thanks to Matt R for the link.) Matt adds: “Home Depot and Lowe’s both sell N95 respirators.” (So do several Internet vendors such as Ready Made Resources.) And speaking of masks, Chris W. suggested a FDA reference page.
WHO Declares International Concern Over Swine Flu
Mexico May Isolate Patients with Deadly Swine Flu
Eight New York Students Likely Have Strain of Swine Flu 30 children in Bronx daycare have flu-like symptoms
Swine Flu Could Mutate to More Dangerous Strain
No New Local Cases of Swine Flu Reported Locally (San Diego, CA) “However, they continued to caution that more illnesses are likely to surface as local, state and federal disease investigators examine more people suffering flu-like symptoms.”
Swine Flu to Be Probed, No Pandemic Yet (Imperial Valley, CA)
Mexico Fights Swine Flu With “Pandemic Potential”
Swine flu cases discovered in Canada
NYC School Cases Confirmed Swine Flu
U.S. Declares Public Health Emergency Over Swine Flu
Swine Flu Empties Mexico City’s Streets Official Numbers: 81 dead, 1,324 infected in Mexico; Suspected cases elsewhere including New Zealand
Swine Flu Fears as New Zealand Students Quarantined
CDC: Flu Has Spread Widely, Cannot Be Contained
Texas Health Dept. Closes School; Bans Sick Reporter From News Conference
Third Texas Case Of Swine Flu Confirmed; Family Quarantined
Seventh Case of Swine Flu Confirmed in California
US to begin asking about flu at the border. (Why didn’t they close the border, 48 hours ago?)
Canada Confirms Four Cases
Mexico Streets Empty as Swine Flu Toll Climbs
Swine Flu: White House Has Unusual Sunday Briefing
Anxiety Grips Hospital Waiting Rooms as Fears of Swine Flu Spread Through the City
World on Alert Over Mexican Killer Swine Flu as Pandemic Fears Rise Suspected cases also in France, Israel. Medical personnel said symptoms began like normal flu, but then victims’ temperatures shot up, with paralysing muscle aches.
Swine Flu: Panic Spreads Worldwide
British Airways Cabin Crew Member Quarantined; Fell Ill on Flight to UK From Mexico
And in closing, here is a PDF to keep in your reference file: a very detailed description of how to perform Chest Physical Therapy on a person who is having difficulty clearing their lungs. (A tip of the hat to reader John H.)