Tuesday, May 26, 2009
DOH Guidelines for Swine Flu
The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) has released the following advisories and guidelines for Filipinos and visitors to the Philippines. Please check these out and feel free to copy and email these files to your family and friends.
Does your well water up your risk of swine flu?
It’s easy for many of us to dismiss the threat of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) when New Hampshire isn’t among the states hardest hit. But new research suggests a hidden danger that can rob us of our protection against the swine flu and other flu viruses may be lurking in our backyards. 
Dartmouth Medical School (DMS) researchers say low-level arsenic levels commonly found in contaminated well water may reduce the immune response to flu viruses. They studied the immune response in mice that drank water containing 100 parts per billion (ppb) of arsenic for five weeks and were then exposed to the H1N1 infection. The researchers found that that immune response was initially inadequate in mice that drank the tainted water. When their immune systems did respond, they were “too robust and too late.” The mice that drank the arsenic-laced water were sicker during their infection than normal mice.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
First swine flu case hits RP but public told not to panic
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Thursday night that the country already has a case of the dreaded Influenza A(H1N1) virus.
“The Department of Health is officially announcing this evening the first confirmed case of influenza A(H1N1) in the Philippines," Secretary Francisco Duque III said via the World Health Organization (WHO) teleconference.
Duque assured that there “is no community level outbreak" and asked the public to be vigilant.
To read more, click here.
“The Department of Health is officially announcing this evening the first confirmed case of influenza A(H1N1) in the Philippines," Secretary Francisco Duque III said via the World Health Organization (WHO) teleconference.
Duque assured that there “is no community level outbreak" and asked the public to be vigilant.
To read more, click here.
In the eye of the storm is fear
The world cowers in fear as an unseen enemy known as swine flu killed scores of people and rendered thousands more dying in Mexico. Strains of the killer disease crossed the border to the United States and raced across the ocean to Europe and Asia. We will be the next victims if we don’t take precautions, health authorities worldwide tell citizens. Shall we dispute them? Health officials urge people to wear masks in public, wash hands often, drink lots of water, take handfuls of vitamins, eat fruits and vegetables and the mother tells a stubborn child: “Anak pag hinde ka maligo mag mukha kang baboy at magkaroon ka ng swine flu.”
To read more, click here.
To read more, click here.
DOJ chief: Insanity plea unlikely to save Hayden
MANILA, Philippines - An insanity claim is not likely to save celebrity doctor Hayden Kho from charges over the uploading on the Internet of his sex video with actress-model Katrina Halili, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said Friday.
Gonzalez said Kho would have to come up with much more if he expects to defend himself from the complaint lodged against him before the National Bureau of Investigation.
“That kind of a defense or insanity will not hold water dito," he said in an interview on dzXL radio, when asked about Kho’s possible defense of insanity.
Kho’s former girlfriend, cosmetic surgeon Victoria “Vicki" Belo, had said she had let Kho undergo “professional counseling."
To read more, click here.
Gonzalez said Kho would have to come up with much more if he expects to defend himself from the complaint lodged against him before the National Bureau of Investigation.
“That kind of a defense or insanity will not hold water dito," he said in an interview on dzXL radio, when asked about Kho’s possible defense of insanity.
Kho’s former girlfriend, cosmetic surgeon Victoria “Vicki" Belo, had said she had let Kho undergo “professional counseling."
To read more, click here.
Muntinlupa mayor allays fears of flu spread
MANILA, Philippines—Residents of Muntinlupa City should not panic that the dreaded swine flu virus could spread like wildfire even if the first person confirmed to have the influenza A (H1N1) virus was confined in a hospital within the city, Mayor Aldrin San Pedro said Friday.
A special facility aimed at containing the virus has been set up at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa for suspected swine flu patients who will eventually be transferred to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for A (H1N1) testing and possible confinement. The RITM is in Muntinlupa.
To read more, click here.Taiwan confirms three new swine flu cases
TAIPEI (AFP) — Taiwan confirmed three new swine flu cases on Friday in a woman returning from the Philippines and two students flying back from the United States, bringing the island's total infections to five.
A 30-year-old woman who had been travelling in Manila May 16-20 with three relatives tested positive for A(H1N1) influenza, said the Centres for Disease Control (CDC).
"She was feeling unwell while in Manila. She went to a clinic on Thursday after she developed a fever. Her daughter was also screened after she too was running a fever," said CDC spokesman Shih Wen-yi.
To read more, click here.
A 30-year-old woman who had been travelling in Manila May 16-20 with three relatives tested positive for A(H1N1) influenza, said the Centres for Disease Control (CDC).
"She was feeling unwell while in Manila. She went to a clinic on Thursday after she developed a fever. Her daughter was also screened after she too was running a fever," said CDC spokesman Shih Wen-yi.
To read more, click here.
Swine flu on the increase
The number of swine flu infections in the world rose by 134 to 11 168 including 86 deaths, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported on Friday.
The additional death compared to Thursday's toll was recorded in the United States, according to the latest tally on the WHO's website.
The Philippines reported a case to the UN's health agency for the first time, bringing the total number of countries with confirmed infections to 42.
To read more, click here.
The additional death compared to Thursday's toll was recorded in the United States, according to the latest tally on the WHO's website.
The Philippines reported a case to the UN's health agency for the first time, bringing the total number of countries with confirmed infections to 42.
To read more, click here.
Asia-Pacific to enter flu season
MANILA - THE change of seasons in the Asia-Pacific region could make it easier for swine flu to spread, World Health Organisation (WHO) officials warned on Friday.
'The southern hemisphere is about to enter its influenza season,' officials at the WHO Western Pacific office said, warning that the 'factors that contribute toward the spread of (ordinary seasonal) influenza will also enable the spread of A(H1N1)'. The greater prevalence of ordinary flu will also make it harder to detect swine flu, said the officials in a briefing at the WHO regional office in the Philippines.
WHO infectious diseases expert Julie Hall warned that vaccines against seasonal influenza did not appear to protect people from A(H1N1).
To read more, click here.First victim is 10-year-old girl returned from United States and Canada
The Department of Health in the Philippines has confirmed the country's first case of swine flu. Once again, the victim is very young: a 10-year-old girl who returned with her parents May 18 after visiting Canada and the United States. The authorities haven't disclosed her name or where she is being quarantined. She still has a sore throat, but no longer has a fever. Her parents, who show no symptoms, were nonetheless given oseltamivir, an anti-viral drug.
To read more, click here.
To read more, click here.
Palace: Take care, but don’t panic
MANILA, Philippines—Because the Philippines’ “index case” on the dreaded Influenza A(
“We should not allow the problem to paralyze us as a nation. We should take all the necessary precautions, but we have to go about our business of making a living, our business of serving our people,” Remonde said in a joint briefing with Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde in Malacañang.
To read more, click here.Palace: Take care, but don’t panic
MANILA, Philippines—Because the Philippines’ “index case” on the dreaded Influenza A(
“We should not allow the problem to paralyze us as a nation. We should take all the necessary precautions, but we have to go about our business of making a living, our business of serving our people,” Remonde said in a joint briefing with Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde in Malacañang.
To read more, click here.Panic Spreads in Japan Over Swine Flu
Japan is taking major precautions against the outbreak of a new type of swine flu, which has spread to Osaka and Kobe and threatens to hit Tokyo and its population of more than 10 million.
Japan’s government, schools and companies are on high alert over the flu. Prime Minister Taro Aso even appeared on a television program Thursday to ask his people to stay calm.
According to the Tourism Ryokan Association of Osaka and Kyoto, reservations amounting to 360,000 nights at hotels or other lodging facilities were canceled from Saturday through Thursday.
To read more, click here.Thursday, May 21, 2009
DoH confirms first A(H1N1) case in RP
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) The Department of Health (DoH) confirmed the first case of A(
“The DoH confirms today the first case of A(H1N1) in the Philippines. She is a female traveler who arrived in the country on May 18 from the United States, whose throat specimen tested positive based on results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque said in a press conference at the World Health
Dispatches From the Edge: Swine Flu Fallout; Obama’s Stance on Columbia
The recent scare has served to reveal one of medicine’s great scandals: the systematic plunder of nurses and doctors from the developing world by the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia.
A study by the George Washington University School of Public Health found that 30 percent of the medical workers in Ghana, 41.4 percent in Haiti, and 27.5 percent in Sri Lanka leave their countries to practice in the First World.
There are, for instance, more Malawi doctors practicing in England than there are in their native country. Some 13,000 doctors trained in sub-Saharan Africa are now practicing in the West. The result is that while Africa has 25 percent of the world’s disease burden, it has only 1.3 percent of its health workers.
According the United Nations Migration and Millennium Development Goal, “Poor countries, many of them with the fewest healthcare workers, but the highest infectious disease burdens, are ‘subsidizing’ the healthcare systems of wealthier countries.”
To read more, click here.
A study by the George Washington University School of Public Health found that 30 percent of the medical workers in Ghana, 41.4 percent in Haiti, and 27.5 percent in Sri Lanka leave their countries to practice in the First World.
There are, for instance, more Malawi doctors practicing in England than there are in their native country. Some 13,000 doctors trained in sub-Saharan Africa are now practicing in the West. The result is that while Africa has 25 percent of the world’s disease burden, it has only 1.3 percent of its health workers.
According the United Nations Migration and Millennium Development Goal, “Poor countries, many of them with the fewest healthcare workers, but the highest infectious disease burdens, are ‘subsidizing’ the healthcare systems of wealthier countries.”
To read more, click here.
DOH, diplomats meet on A(H1N1)
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) met members of the diplomatic community and representatives of international organizations yesterday to map out plans to prevent the spread of Influenza A(H1N1) virus in the country.
Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde said the meeting was spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO) to urge the Philippine government and the diplomatic corps to discuss ways to prevent the spread of the virus.
“There will be no withholding of information in relation to what is happening in one’s country. We will also be providing them with information regarding this disease here in the Philippines,” Villaverde said.
He said since the DOH had “more or less already provided general awareness” about A(H1N1) among the Filipinos, they felt the need to shift to “a more focused group advocacy.”
To read more, click here.Philippines confirms first case of swine flu
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Thursday confirmed its first case of swine flu in a girl who had traveled to the U.S. and Canada.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the 10-year-old had developed cough, fever and soar throat a day after returning to Manila on Monday and tested positive for the virus Tuesday.
She was treated with the antiviral drug Tamiflu and her condition has improved, Duque told reporters. She remains confined in a Manila hospital, he said.
To read more, click here.Naval quarantine in Zambo
ZAMBOANGA CITY—While donated detergents and other cleaning agents flood the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to fight A/H1N1 virus or the swine flu, here in this city, a passenger-cargo boat plying the Zamboanga City-Sandakan, Sabah, has been required to anchor 100 meters from the dock each time it arrives until quarantine officers have inspected everyone on board.
Dr. Omar Aranan, Bureau of Quarantine medical officer, said they decided to do so after reports the Malaysian authorities are monitoring two possible H1N1 cases in Kuala Lumpur, quite far from Sandakan. But they are just making sure, he added.
To read more, click here.Boy tested for swine flu
A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy and a 42-year-old man returning from Japan are the latest people being monitored for swine flu, the Health Department said yesterday.
Their cases brought the total number of people investigated for swine flu to 70 as of May 19, Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde said.
He said the two patients, both from Central Visayas, were now confined in a private hospital in Metro Manila.
To read more, click here.Asian Stocks Decline on Yen Strength, Fed Economy Prediction
May 21 (Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks retreated, dragging the MSCI Asia Pacific Index from a seven-month high, as a strengthening yen hurt Japanese earnings prospects and the U.S. Federal Reserve projected a deeper recession.
Canon Inc., which got 28 percent of its revenue in the Americas last year, lost 2.4 percent. Takashimaya Co. sank 3.9 percent, leading declines among Japanese retailers, as the first cases of swine flu were confirmed in the Tokyo area. Melco International Development Co., which operates casinos, slumped 9.7 percent in Hong Kong after a venture posted a loss.
Swine flu in Taiwan, closer to RP
The new influenza virus, which has spread from Mexico to 40 other countries, moved nearer to the Philippines Wednesday after its northern neighbor, Taiwan, reported the island’s first confirmed case of swine flu.
The A(H1N1) virus continued to make inroads in Asia and Latin America on Wednesday, with the number of infections in Japan rising to 232 and the outbreak affecting a third western prefecture.
The Philippines remains free of the new flu virus, but health authorities are not taking any chances. The Department of Health (DoH) Wednesday ordered all government agencies to prepare for a flu outbreak in the country and draw up emergency measures.
To read more, click here.
Disease outbreaks, not only flu
Thank God, a swine flu vaccine is in the making, although the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a recent report that the virus samples are not growing very fast in laboratories, making it difficult for scientists to produce the vaccine. The flu virus has, since April, spread to 40 countries now, with recorded cases of 9,830 cases with 80 deaths and the number is still growing. Here in our country, w are thankful that Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque and its people have been vigilant and aggressive in the surveillance of the disease and taking all steps necessary to prevent the A-H1N1 virus from spreading here. Despite the quick spreading to many countries, many still underestimate the virulence of the disease compared to the common flu, which kills 250,000 to 500,000 each year worldwide. However, we should know that the virus is unpredictable, and we should not lose guard especially in the absence of a full-proof vaccine. By the way, scientists of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US say that the flu virus can live on a surface for up to three days and this alone increases people’s vulnerability to the virus.
To read more, click here.
To read more, click here.
Passenger quarantined for suspected swine flu
Kolkata, May 20 : A passenger traveling by Emirates and coming from Philippines via Dubai was quarantined after he arrived at the airport here today following suspected symptoms of swine flu, sources in the airport said.
A physician Sujit Baksi, the Additional General Manager (Medical)- NSC Bose airport examined the passenger identified as Shyamal Sardar (35) as he was suffering from fever and some respiratory problems.
To read more, click here.
A physician Sujit Baksi, the Additional General Manager (Medical)- NSC Bose airport examined the passenger identified as Shyamal Sardar (35) as he was suffering from fever and some respiratory problems.
To read more, click here.
DOH reports 2 new suspected A(H1N1) flu cases
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said two people in Region 7 were placed under observation for Influenza A(H1N1) virus infection.
In a statement posted on its Web site, the DOH said the two new cases had history of travel from Japan, where 159 flu cases have already been confirmed.
As of Wednesday, a total of three suspected cases are being tested for possible virus contraction.
In its latest report on May 19, the World Health Organization said that the tally of officially reported A(H1N1) cases already reached 9,830 in 40 countries – seven of which are Asian nations.
These include: Japan, China (mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey, and Israel.
To read more, click here.
In a statement posted on its Web site, the DOH said the two new cases had history of travel from Japan, where 159 flu cases have already been confirmed.
As of Wednesday, a total of three suspected cases are being tested for possible virus contraction.
In its latest report on May 19, the World Health Organization said that the tally of officially reported A(H1N1) cases already reached 9,830 in 40 countries – seven of which are Asian nations.
These include: Japan, China (mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey, and Israel.
To read more, click here.
Health Dept. tests 2 more for flu virus
MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Health (DoH) has identified two new suspected cases of Influenza A(
The DoH said the two new cases -- a five-year-old foreign boy and a 42-year-old man of yet unknown nationality -- were placed in private hospitals in the Central Visayas region.
To read more, click here.Manila suspends consular services in Osaka over flu
MANILA, May 19 (Reuters) - The Philippines suspended consular services in Japan's western city of Osaka for four days on Tuesday due to the spread of a new strain of the flu virus, Manila's Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
Citing public safety concerns, the Philippine consular office in Osaka advised its staff to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel to "maintain their state of health" after Japan reported a sharp rise in influenza A (H1N1) cases in the past few days.
The DFA said in a note on its website (www.dfa.gov.ph) the Osaka office would be closed from Tuesday until Friday "in the interest of public safety".
To read more, click here.
Citing public safety concerns, the Philippine consular office in Osaka advised its staff to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel to "maintain their state of health" after Japan reported a sharp rise in influenza A (H1N1) cases in the past few days.
The DFA said in a note on its website (www.dfa.gov.ph) the Osaka office would be closed from Tuesday until Friday "in the interest of public safety".
To read more, click here.
Swine flu vaccine out soon
GENEVA – Swiss drug maker Novartis yesterday said it has received samples of the swine flu A(H1N1) virus and is awaiting the World Health Organization (WHO)’s go-ahead to begin producing a vaccine.
“We have received the virus and our researchers have started looking into modifying it so we can begin producing a vaccine,” said a spokesman who added that it would take three to four weeks to get up and running.
“We are waiting for the green light from the WHO and the CDC (the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention),” the spokesman said.
To read more, click here.DepEd open to delaying school opening
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Education said on Tuesday it is open to the possibility of delaying the scheduled June 1 opening of classes in public schools over concerns of a swine flu outbreak.
But pending an official advisory or recommendation from the Department of Health to postpone the class opening, the schedule will remain, officials said.
To read more, click here.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
3 quarantined in Cebu for possible swine flu
CEBU, Philippines - Three persons are currently quarantined in Cebu for possibly being infected with the swine flu or influenza A(H1N1) virus.
A Cebuano couple and a British woman are currently quarantined at one of the isolation rooms of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) for verification of A(H1N1).The couple who traveled from Ireland to Hong Kong arrived at the Mactan Cebu International Airport on Cathay Pacific flight CX921 and was intercepted at noon yesterday after thermal scanning at the airport showed the man running a fever.
The husband is 32 while the wife is 30 years old. They were seated together on the plane so the wife was also quarantined as a precautionary measure though she did not show any symptoms.
The British woman, on the other hand, admitted visiting Mexico and Hong Kong where cases of swine flu have been reported.
To view more from the source, click here.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Is the Media Helping or Hyping the Swine Flu Cause?
What's the role of media? To report the story as it is or to increase its audience share and ratings? If it is the latter, then the media might be hyping the swine flu issue! Follow an article written by Dean Wright...
Full source here.
Full source here.
There’s nothing like a disease outbreak to highlight the value of the media in alerting and informing the public in the face of an emergency.
There’s also nothing like it to bring out some of our more excessive behavior, essentially shouting “Run for your lives! (but, whatever you do, stay tuned, keep reading the website and don’t forget to buy the paper!).”
An outbreak of a form of influenza, which was known as swine flu before the World Health Organization changed the name, has killed scores in Mexico and infected others in the United States, Canada, Europe and New Zealand. It’s already having an effect on markets and travel plans, in addition to the obvious impact on public health.
The impact on markets could become more significant in time, but the impact on the media was practically immediate.
Cable television programmers went into crisis mode and a look at newspaper front pages and website home pages around the world showed a range of responses, from the almost hysterical to the concerned and more measured.
- In the New York Daily News: “SWINE FLU SPREADS!” (though it was played below a sports story on the New York Yankees losing to the Boston Red Sox).
- In the New York Post: “HOG WILD!” (also playing second to the Yankees’ humiliation, but illustrated with a pig sucking on a thermometer).
- In The Japan Times (using a Reuters story): “Swine flu in Mexico sparks global panic”
- In the South China Morning Post (which certainly has experience in covering bird flu and SARS): “Asia on high alert for swine flu as airports step up checks.”
- In The Guardian: “Swine flu: call for global action as outbreak spreads.”
- In the Toronto Sun: “CALM URGED AS FLU FEARS GROW.”
Later Monday, after the European Union health commissioner advised Europeans to postpone nonessential travel to the United States and Mexico, The New York Times led its website with “Europe Warned on U.S. Travel,” with a deck reflecting transatlantic disagreement, “Flu Advisory Unwarranted, C.D.C. Says.”
The BBC website focused on the confirmation of flu cases in the UK, with extensive Q&A’s on the origins of the disease and how it spreads and contributions from readers who were dealing with disease (some of them medical professionals in Mexico).
Big, bad-news stories can mean surges in audiences for media outlets and they certainly raise the adrenalin level of editors and reporters. They offer the temptation to go to excess, but they also offer the opportunity for us be of priceless service to our customers, clients and readers.
The question for me is how we in the media make sure we report accurately and informatively on the story and its impact on the markets and consumers’ lives without minimizing and without sensationalizing it.
“This is the type of story where our goal to stay factual and keep perspective is essential to uphold,” says Reuters Editor-in-Chief David Schlesinger. “Our role is neither to trivialize nor to hype or scaremonger, but to describe accurately what is happening and put its implications in context.”
Reuters has focused a great deal of resources—rightly, given our customers and audience—on the implications for the markets and the impact on the global economic downturn.
On Monday afternoon, Reuters.com was leading with “Will global recovery catch the flu?” atop a package of stories on possible market scenarios, the EU travel warning and factboxes on health precautions and industries being affected. One story noted, not surprisingly, that travel and tourism stocks were in turmoil.
Reuters.com also featured a special coverage page with the latest news, accompanied by a sober presentation of “Swine Flu Facts.” There’s even an invitation to receive updates on Twitter. Call me a skeptic on Twitter, but 140 characters won’t do much to add context to the story. Still, no one ever said Twitter was about context and at least you can follow developments, whether or not you’re near a computer.
My Reuters colleagues—especially the ones working bravely and tirelessly in Mexico—are succeeding in upholding the goal of staying factual and keeping events in perspective. It’s our mission to provide the information and insight our audience and customers need to make intelligent decisions about their investments and their lives. As shown by the World Health Organization’s decision Monday to raise the pandemic alert to Level 4, and later to Level 5, there’s plenty of drama to report without adding to it.
The flu story is still in its early stages and it remains to be seen if this becomes one of the biggest stories of our time. Whatever happens, it won’t hurt us all to take a deep breath now.
Swine Flu Alert Now on Level 5!!!
An article from the Reuters...
(Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its global alert system to 5 on a 6-point scale, indicating a pandemic is imminent, as swine flu cases spread around the world.
Health experts believe it is a only a matter of time before the WHO raises the alert to phase 6, confirming a pandemic is in progress, because the disease is spreading in a sustained way from person to person in more than two regions of the world.
In both phases 5 and 6, the WHO calls on countries to implement their national pandemic plans.
The following are recommended actions for countries to take in phases 5 and 6 according to the WHO's Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response guidance document, revised this week:
In general the WHO does not encourage:
* pandemic-related international border closures for people and or cargo
* general disinfection of the environment during a pandemic
* use of masks in the community by well persons
* restriction of travel within national borders during a pandemic (except in a globally led rapid response and containment operation)
1. Planning and coordination
Affected countries
* maintain trust with public through commitment to transparency and credible actions
* designate special status as needed e.g. state of emergency
* provide leadership and coordination to mitigate the social and economic impact of a pandemic
* work for rational, ethical and transparent access to resources
* assess whether external assistance needed for humanitarian needsSee full article here.
Can I Get Infected with Swine Flu Virus During Air Travel?
Should you travel nowadays when the swine flu alert is at level 5? Is it safe? Can I get infected when a person who has the virus is on the same flight? The World Health Organization (WHO) has released information about this. See related article below.
April 28 (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation is not recommending any travel restrictions to contain an outbreak of swine flu that has killed people in Mexico and spread around the world.
Countries worldwide have ramped up their border and airport checks and many are advising against non-essential travel to areas where the virus has been found, especially Mexico where it has proved most deadly.
Following are the health concerns related to air travel, and guidance from the WHO and the international airlines body IATA about how travellers should stay safe and what carriers should do to reduce disease transmission risks:
WHAT SHOULD TRAVELLERS DO?
-- Wash hands frequently
-- Avoid contact with sick persons
-- Avoid contact with live animals in markets
-- Consult with doctor before travelling if ill
DOES VIRUS SPREAD ABOARD AIRCRAFT?
Germs can circulate in plane cabins, although IATA says that modern aircraft have advanced filtration systems which have markedly improved the level of on-board air quality.
WHO experts have previously said that transmission risks for diseases such as tuberculosis are only highly acute on flights lasting more than eight hours, and for people sitting within five rows of an infected person.
WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE FALLS ILL DURING A FLIGHT?
Airlines are instructed -- in rules that predate the swine flu outbreak -- to take action if a passenger or crew member has a fever of 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher, as well as one of the following symptoms:
-- Appearing obviously unwell
-- Persistent coughing
-- Impaired breathing
-- Persistent diarrhoea
-- Persistent vomiting
-- Skin rash
-- Bruising or bleeding without previous injury
-- Confusion of recent onset
In such cases, protocol dictates that airline staff call for medical support from ground support or among the passengers, and then follow the doctor's instructions.
If no medical support is available, the airline would then:
-- Relocate the sick person to a more isolated area
-- Designate a cabin crew to look after the sick person
-- Designate a lavatory for exclusive use of sick person
-- Ask sick person to wear surgical mask or use airsick bag
-- Store soiled items (such as tissues, pillows, blankets, linen, seat pocket items) in biohazard bag
-- Ask accompanying travellers if they have similar symptoms
-- Ensure hand-carried cabin baggage follows the passenger
-- Report suspect case to captain and air traffic control
-- Ask all travellers seated in the same row, two rows in front and two rows behind the sick traveller to complete a passenger locator card (For the full IATA guidance please see: here) (For a related story on airlines, click on [nLS216517]) (For a related story on travel advisories, click on [nLS803530] (For more Reuters stories on swine flu, click on [nFLU]) (For more Reuters swine flu coverage, please click here: here ) (For WHO information on swine flu, go to: here ) (Compiled by Laura MacInnis)
April 28 (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation is not recommending any travel restrictions to contain an outbreak of swine flu that has killed people in Mexico and spread around the world.
Countries worldwide have ramped up their border and airport checks and many are advising against non-essential travel to areas where the virus has been found, especially Mexico where it has proved most deadly.
Following are the health concerns related to air travel, and guidance from the WHO and the international airlines body IATA about how travellers should stay safe and what carriers should do to reduce disease transmission risks:
WHAT SHOULD TRAVELLERS DO?
-- Wash hands frequently
-- Avoid contact with sick persons
-- Avoid contact with live animals in markets
-- Consult with doctor before travelling if ill
DOES VIRUS SPREAD ABOARD AIRCRAFT?
Germs can circulate in plane cabins, although IATA says that modern aircraft have advanced filtration systems which have markedly improved the level of on-board air quality.
WHO experts have previously said that transmission risks for diseases such as tuberculosis are only highly acute on flights lasting more than eight hours, and for people sitting within five rows of an infected person.
WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE FALLS ILL DURING A FLIGHT?
Airlines are instructed -- in rules that predate the swine flu outbreak -- to take action if a passenger or crew member has a fever of 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher, as well as one of the following symptoms:
-- Appearing obviously unwell
-- Persistent coughing
-- Impaired breathing
-- Persistent diarrhoea
-- Persistent vomiting
-- Skin rash
-- Bruising or bleeding without previous injury
-- Confusion of recent onset
In such cases, protocol dictates that airline staff call for medical support from ground support or among the passengers, and then follow the doctor's instructions.
If no medical support is available, the airline would then:
-- Relocate the sick person to a more isolated area
-- Designate a cabin crew to look after the sick person
-- Designate a lavatory for exclusive use of sick person
-- Ask sick person to wear surgical mask or use airsick bag
-- Store soiled items (such as tissues, pillows, blankets, linen, seat pocket items) in biohazard bag
-- Ask accompanying travellers if they have similar symptoms
-- Ensure hand-carried cabin baggage follows the passenger
-- Report suspect case to captain and air traffic control
-- Ask all travellers seated in the same row, two rows in front and two rows behind the sick traveller to complete a passenger locator card (For the full IATA guidance please see: here) (For a related story on airlines, click on [nLS216517]) (For a related story on travel advisories, click on [nLS803530] (For more Reuters stories on swine flu, click on [nFLU]) (For more Reuters swine flu coverage, please click here: here ) (For WHO information on swine flu, go to: here ) (Compiled by Laura MacInnis)
Economic Impact of Swine Flu Epedemic
Wondering what economic effects could result in the current swine flu pandemic?
It will boost sales of drug makers.
It will hit the tourism industry hard. Traveling will be drastically reduced.
Trading will be negatively affected...Oil price will continue to dive due to decreased demand due to travel inhibitions.
A detailed article can be found in http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE53P28J20090427.
It will boost sales of drug makers.
It will hit the tourism industry hard. Traveling will be drastically reduced.
Trading will be negatively affected...Oil price will continue to dive due to decreased demand due to travel inhibitions.
A detailed article can be found in http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE53P28J20090427.
How Swine Flu Spreads in Humans
Do you know how swine flu could spread?
This is an article taken from the Reuters.
To see source, click here.
This is an article taken from the Reuters.
(Reuters) - Here are some facts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about how swine flu spreads in humans:
* Swine flu viruses typically cause illness in pigs, not humans. Most cases occur when people come into contact with infected pigs or contaminated objects moving between people and pigs.
* Pigs can catch human and avian or bird flu. When flu viruses from different species infect pigs, they can mix inside the pig and new, mixed viruses can emerge.
* Pigs can pass mutated viruses back to humans, and these can be passed from human to human. Transmission among humans is thought to occur in the same way as with seasonal flu -- by touching something contaminated with flu viruses and then touching one's mouth or nose, and through coughing or sneezing. One of the most effective prevention measures is regular hand washing.
* Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to those of seasonal influenza -- sudden fever, coughing, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. This new strain also appears to cause more diarrhea and vomiting than normal flu.
* Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu, although the CDC is formulating one. The seasonal influenza vaccine may help to provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not against swine H1N1 viruses like the one circulating now.
* People cannot catch swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) kills the swine flu virus along with other bacteria and viruses.
To see source, click here.
How You Can Prepare For A Pandemic Flu
Here's an article by Reuters.
(Reuters) - As a the world edges closer to an H1N1 influenza pandemic, here are some things individuals, businesses and organizations can do to prepare:
INDIVIDUALS
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay at home when you are sick or have flu symptoms. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Wash your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
* Talk over what your family would do in a pandemic. Who would care for children or people with special needs if everyone is sick? Keep basic health supplies on hand: soap or alcohol-based hand wash, fever reducers, fluid with electrolytes and tissues.
* Because schools may close, consider pooling child care resources with neighbors, and ask schools about their back-up plans.
* Talk to your employer about telecommuting or working from home. Public transportation may be disrupted, so consider car-pooling options for all transportation needs.
BUSINESSES
* Make sure pandemic plans address long-term absenteeism rates. Ask what are the company's essential functions -- accounting, payroll, and information technology -- and identify people who perform them. Cross-train employees on these functions.
* Plan for interruptions of essential government services like sanitation, water, power and transportation, or disruptions to the food supply.
* Update sick leave and family and medical leave policies and communicate with employees about the need to stay home from work. Expand tools that enable employees to work from home with appropriate security and network access to applications.
* Maintain a healthy work environment, with good air circulation. Post tips on how to stop the spread of germs at work. Ensure wide and easy access to hand sanitizers.
* Tell employees about the threat of pandemic flu and the steps the company is taking to prepare for it.
COMMUNITY AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS:
* Consider how an influenza pandemic would affect regular activities and services. Think about circumstances that may require you to increase, decrease or stop the services your organization delivers.
* Update sick leave and family and medical leave policies so staffers will not be penalized for personal illness or for caring for sick family members during a pandemic.
* Instruct volunteers and employees to remain home until they are well.* See if volunteers and staff have cross-over skills like nursing or mental health counseling that could be used during a health crisis, and make that information known to local health authorities.
* Modify activities that involve person-to-person contact, such as religious rites that involve sharing drink from common glasses or holding hands.
To see full report, click here.
Swine Flu Pandemic!
We've heard it in the news! Swine flu reportedly killed 160 people and made at least 1,000 ill in Mexico and the US.
According to a report by the Associate Press Writers, "Global health authorities warned on April 29th that swine flu was threatening to bloom into a pandemic, and the virus spread farther in Europe... A toddler who succumbed in Texas became the first death outside Mexico. New cases and deaths finally seemed to be leveling off in Mexico, where 160 people have been killed, after an aggressive public health campaign.
To read more of this news, click here.
Has the virus reached the Philippines yet? That would be a nightmare!
According to a report by the Associate Press Writers, "Global health authorities warned on April 29th that swine flu was threatening to bloom into a pandemic, and the virus spread farther in Europe... A toddler who succumbed in Texas became the first death outside Mexico. New cases and deaths finally seemed to be leveling off in Mexico, where 160 people have been killed, after an aggressive public health campaign.
To read more of this news, click here.
Has the virus reached the Philippines yet? That would be a nightmare!
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