Swine Flu Cases and Update for Mon 27th April 2009
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 27 Apr 2009
Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Related Publications
Synopsis: News and information updates on swine flu cases including newly reported outbreak locations around the world for 27/04/2009.
Introduction
The World Health Organization said it was moving up a meeting to Monday to decide whether to raise the level of the UN agency's pandemic alert from its current level of 3 out of 6. The current situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.Main Content
The World Health Organization said it was moving up a meeting to Monday to decide whether to raise the level of the UN agency's pandemic alert from its current level of 3 out of 6. The current situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. However, more information is needed before a decision could be made concerning the appropriateness of the current alert level.
No cases of swine flu have been reported in Washington state, health officials said today. State epidemiologist Tony Marfin said the state is stepping up its disease surveillance at clinics, hospitals and other testing sites to see whether the strain of virus associated with about 86 deaths in Mexico has reached Washington state.
Health officials say they have located what might be Michigan's first case of swine flu. The state Department of Community Health said Monday the "probable" case involves a 34-year-old woman in Livingston County.
Medical authorities in Ontario are investigating a number of cases of suspected swine flu that spread to at least two other Canadian provinces, the United States and Europe. Over the weekend, Canadian health officials confirmed six "relatively mild" cases of human swine influenza in British Columbia and Nova Scotia, but also warned more cases are likely in the near future. Four cases were confirmed on the eastern coast in Nova Scotia and two others in British Columbia. Health authorities said they were ready to address the potential spread of the swine flu outbreak and had a stockpile of 50 million vaccine doses, which would be sufficient to serve Canada's population of 33 million people.
Spain's Health Ministry confirmed the Europe's first human case of swine flu on Monday and another 17 sick people are suspected of having the virus.
In New Zealand, Health Minister Tony Ryall said two students and a parent among a group of 15 that had just come back from a class trip to Mexico had mild flu and were being tested for swine flu. On Sunday, New Zealand officials said nine students and one teacher from a separate group that also were in Mexico "likely" have swine flu.
Everyday actions to stay healthy.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Further Information:
Latest Swine Flu Outbreak Cases and Death Statistics
Swine Flu - Symptoms Prevention and Treatment
Swine Flu Information and Answers on H1N1 Virus
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.