By BJ Bjornson
It appears that the swine flu is expanding its reach internationally.
Nova Scotia and British Columbia have confirmed cases of swine flu, while new cases of the infection have been found in New York City, as health officials around the world test for a virus linked to a more serious outbreak in Mexico.
Nova Scotia's chief public health officer, Dr. Robert Strang, said Sunday the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg confirmed late Saturday that four young people in the province are recovering from "relatively mild" cases of the disease.
. . .
B.C.'s Centre for Disease Control on Sunday confirmed cases of swine flu involving two people from the province who recently returned from Mexico.
. . .
New Zealand Health Minister Tony Ryall confirmed on Sunday a group of Auckland college students who returned from a three-week visit to Mexico on Saturday "likely" have swine flu.
"Ten of the 13 students who had flu-like symptoms have proven positive for influenza A and the swine flu is a subset of influenza A," he said. So we're going to send the swabs to Melbourne for further analysis. We should have that information in a matter of days, but our officials here think it's highly likely they have."
This is likely to be for more widespread than already reported due to the relatively large number of people who travel to Mexico. So far, however, I haven't seen any indication that the cases outside of Mexico are proving fatal, which is good news and may indicate that there are other environmental factors responsible for the Mexican fatalities.
If not, this could get pretty ugly, as unlike the SARS outbreak in 2003, we know that flu is pretty easily transmissible.
Anyway, most of this is speculation at this point. Over at TMV, the resident doctor has a good run-down of advice for everyone. Top of the list: Don't Panic!
Well...I guess NObama will take some advise from G W Bush...."use hand sanatizer after you shake hands with people"......NOBAMA laughed and insulted G W BUSH for those words....now who is laughing. NOBAMA ...close our borders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYeah wash your hands, eh. Some CBC reporters are already suggesting that we the great true North Americans may not be as effected as those other North Americans because we have "better" lungs. I'm enjoying this. Leona Aglukkaq, our Health Minister, has been on our national TV to assure us all. Love Leona Aglukkaq
ReplyDeletebut, even better, I think we dumb Canucks are ready after SARS more than some others if it is the big one. Our guys & gals in Manitoba are working, I understand, like mad on a vaccine as I write. Me I'm washing my hands and drinking good Irish wiskey.
I spoke to my Dad this morning and there's two cases of swine flu in Scotland, both Mexican nationals who flew in.
ReplyDeleteThere's cases here in San Antonio, Tx. But then again, we also have an outbreak of the Victorian disease Tuberculosis among both inmates and guards in our county jail, due to poor screening. San Antonio isn't exactly a world leader in health matters.
Regards, Steve
Well Cheryl, I wasn't going to mention the racist SOBs trying to turn this into a, "keep the brown people out", thing, but hey, slip on over to Hot Air and I'm sure you'll find plenty of support for your views.
ReplyDeleteGeoff,
Oh your god, I forgot Leona was our Health Minister. Granted she probably has no more power than any other minister in Harper's government, basically a spokesperson and helpfully positioned scapegoat if things go bad, but that did send a shiver down my spine for a moment. Otherwise, I agree that the experience with SARS should help with dealing with this should it become worse.
Yeah BJ she, Leona, is it for us and I know she is only a spokesman - should that be spokeswoman or spokesperson yes I know I'm an asshole - but I like her. Sorry I'm really showing my wrong sides and I should be clear she is a good friend. So different from people in the USA, eh where we here do actually know people in the gov't either as political or non-political officials but rarely write clearly that we do know them, eh..
ReplyDeleteBe interesting to see what if any impact this swine flu issue has on the desire of some to increase urban density afterall some will argue that increased density will help diseases spread.
ReplyDeleteHey Geoff,
ReplyDeleteI really shouldn�t be too hard on Leona. My leeriness is largely due to the massive leap in responsibility that position represents for someone new to federal politics. I mean, sure, she was territorial Health Minister, but that�s in a territory of 30,000 people where there are still major outbreaks of the �Victorian disease� TB Steve mentioned above every now and again and a fairly steady infection rate 17 times the rest of the country otherwise. Not exactly something to brag about. However, unlike most of Harper�s drones, I at least know she�s an intelligent woman, so we could definitely be in worse hands.