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Diaz
canterella
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    The next pandemic?

    canterella
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    The next pandemic? Empty The next pandemic?

    Post  canterella Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:35 am

    An Auckland school group is being tested for swine flu after returning from Mexico with flu-like symptoms.

    More than 80 people in Mexico are believed to have died and over 1300 are sick as a result of catching swine flu. Cases have also been reported in New York, California and Kansas and a British Airways pilot has been hospitalised in London with flu symptoms after returning from Mexico.

    Three teachers and 22 senior students at Rangitoto College, New Zealand's largest secondary school, on Auckland's North Shore, yesterday returned to Auckland on a flight from Los Angeles, after a three week trip to Mexico.

    Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) said today some had symptoms of an influenza-like illness and were remaining in home isolation as a precaution while tests to exclude or confirm swine influenza were carried out.

    One student was believed to be in hospital.

    Ministry of Health spokesman Michael Flyger said the results of tests were expected this evening.

    He said at this stage other passengers on the flight were not being sought and the next step would depend on what the tests showed.

    "We don't believe at this point that there is a need for that.

    "We might get no positives, we might get one, we might get all of them. It's a pretty big step to be taking (and) it's something that would be considered."

    In the meantime the students and teachers had been told to stay at home in isolation and ARPHS was briefing their families and the school on infection control precautions.

    While the virus' spread was considered serious enough for WHO declare a health emergency, Mr Flyger said it had proven responsive to drugs.

    "It is concerning for sure. You've just got to look at the WHO's advice on this, but it has shown it reacts to treatment so it's not as bad as it could be.

    "We're not looking at (the horror film) 28 Days Later."
    The ARPHS had advised their families about infection control precautions.

    The service was advising the school's principal and the Ministry of Education.

    "We are taking this very seriously and doing everything necessary to manage this situation in Auckland," ARPHS clinical director Dr Julia Peters said.

    "The Ministry of Health is managing the response to this issue at a national level."

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned the current situation with swine flu could start a global epidemic.

    The flu has led to the closure of schools in Mexico City.

    Dr Peters said anyone returning from Mexico or other places affected with the flu who had symptoms should visit a doctor before returning to work or school.

    If symptoms were severe seek urgent medical attention.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also issued a travel notice for people returning from Mexico, California and Texas. Anyone developing flu-like symptoms was advised to seek medical attention immediately.

    The best things people could do to stop the spread of influenza were:

    - stay at home and away from others if you are sick

    - cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue

    - put used tissues into a rubbish bin

    - avoid spreading germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth to spread

    - wash and dry hands frequently, even when you start feeling better.


    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/2364487/Kiwis-show-flu-like-symptoms

    read more at http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/2364326/The-next-pandemic

    no mention of Tamiflu anywhere
    Laughing
    Diaz
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    The next pandemic? Empty Re: The next pandemic?

    Post  Diaz Sun Apr 26, 2009 7:57 am

    Well considering there's no actual pandemic declared as yet, I wouldn't be surprised that Tamiflu hasn't been mentioned yet. However, we do have enough doses to cover 21% of the population should it be required and strategies are in place should a pandemic occur.

    Looking at the figures, there is one positive thing - while there have been ~80 deaths, this is in the context of ~1300 cases which equates to less than 10% (Bird flu is ~70% fatal). It's not that great but better than getting avian influenza. Otherwise, the concerning thing is that it's going human:human and affecting those in the 25-45 age much like past pandemics such as the 1918 Spanish flu. Hopefully this can be curtailed, but it's difficult as apparently some areas in Mexico that are affected are tourist areas.

    It just goes to show how easy it is for infectious disease to be transmitted worldwide, there's already states in the US affected and possible cases here.
    Abbey
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    Post  Abbey Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:14 am

    Typical, rich kids go overseas and bring back deadly virsus; then the rest of the country has to be in fear. suxs.
    Psalter
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    Post  Psalter Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:41 am

    Sounds like a good thing to me... thinning of the herd and all that.
    superarmy
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    Post  superarmy Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:43 am

    Great, maybe we can contain it in the North Island

    Laughing
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    Post  master5o1 Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:10 am

    Damn United States trying to cull their worker-producing farm south of them.
    Psalter
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    Post  Psalter Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:20 am

    superarmy wrote:Great, maybe we can contain it in the North Island

    Laughing

    What? You a southernfag?
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    Post  superarmy Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:31 am

    Psalter wrote:
    superarmy wrote:Great, maybe we can contain it in the North Island

    Laughing

    What? You a southernfag?

    Of course, Christchurch ftw.
    Psalter
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    Post  Psalter Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:53 am

    superarmy wrote:
    Psalter wrote:
    superarmy wrote:Great, maybe we can contain it in the North Island

    Laughing

    What? You a southernfag?

    Of course, Christchurch ftw.

    So, minor threadjack... you DL COD W@W patch?

    MSN: adrian.psalter@gmail.com
    superarmy
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    Post  superarmy Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:54 am

    I'm not paying $20 for 4 maps....
    Psalter
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    Post  Psalter Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:00 am

    superarmy wrote:I'm not paying $20 for 4 maps....

    You don't need to, I have already.
    superarmy
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    Post  superarmy Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:02 am

    *gets*

    Smile

    Sucks though, no good games coming out....

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