Swine flu update

[Oberon]

Reuters has just announced that the WHO has just gone to phase five according to the EC.

Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.

[geetrue]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Reuters has just announced that the WHO has just gone to phase five according to the EC.

This is not good ... H1N1 just went from three to four yesterday.

It only goes up to 6

Originally Posted by Steanwake

Now why would people in Mexico be more pre-disposed to mortality?

They are poorer, they put off medical attention longer, the only people being tested in Mexico are the ones already in the hospital and by that time it is almost too late.

You only have 48 hours to start treating it to have a better survival rate.

There is no cure

Online pharmacies have experienced a significant surge in demand for Tamiflu, the leading anti-flu drug.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/5231337/Swine-flu-Online-pharmacies-report-huge-surge-in-demand-for-Tamiflu.html

[geetrue]

update:http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/2009-04-29-texas-swineflu_N.htm?csp=25&RM_Exclude=Juno

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas officials are postponing all public high school athletic and academic competitions
until May 11 because of the swine flu outbreak.

The move suspends the baseball season and eliminates the regional track championships

[Jimbuna]

Could well be elevated to 6 (pandemic level) before the weekend at this rate