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You Too Can Prevent Swine Flu

tanay2035 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:18:24 -0700

Majority of the readers in any search engine are looking of anything under the sun. They are looking about animation, love, pornography, showbiz, politics, cartoons, masquerade, games, cards, download materials, travel and leisure, heartache, etc. They are more familiar of the mentioned topics, but are they aware of the recent pandemics that outbreaks the world What The pandemics! What The Swine Flu! Swine or pigs, then Flu means respiratory infections.

So, a simple man will ask “Am I interested with the Swine Flu outbreak There’s no flu-like in my community, even I, doesn’t have a swine flu, we don’t have pigs in our community, why should we afraid of the swine flu Why should I know about that Should I know to prevent the swine flu”

The answer is “Even if, there’s no swine flu in your community, you must know how to prevent that kind.” This article, will teach you the basic steps on how to prevent the Swine Flu virus in a very simplest way.

First, washing our hands frequently using any germicidal soap with water can help us prevent with the spreading virus especially if we suspected someone. If you don’t have available germicidal soap in the area, you can use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Either if you are using soap or hand sanitizer, you must follow this steps connects your two palms facing each other, rub them horizontally, vertically then squeeze each other throughout your fingers. Do it for five to six times a day.

Secondly, you must cover your nose with a tissue paper before you deliver a cough and sneeze especially if you are talking to somebody else. Throw your tissue in the trash can after you use it, so that transfer of the virus coming from your respiratory will be avoided.

Third, if you are not feeling well avoid going out to your friends, playground, schools and offices, much better you have to stay in your house and quarantine yourself for three to four days.

Fourth, avoid hugging or kissing at any public occasions instead gesture your hands and smile at each other until the Swine Flu Outbreak diminish.

Fifth, if you suspected yourself of a possible flu-like virus, you better report to your nearest Health Officer in the community for proper diagnostic. (Note if you suffered fever, sore throat and cough for more than two days, don’t hesitate to go to your Health Officer, its better to check as early as possible than to die early).

Sixth, there are a number of things that you can do in preparing yourself and those around you for a flu pandemic. It is important to think of it the challenges that you might face, particularly if a pandemic is severe.

Seventh, for assurance in planning for the impact of a Swine Flu virus on you, your family and your business, go to your Health Officer for more information about swine flu careers from individuals, families, and your workplace, and for information directed from schools, health care providers, community organizations and governments

Aside from your own Swine Flu prevention, there are some government agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Education and the Department of National Defense to help us strengthen our immune system and detect a possible Swine Flu in our community. Planning and preparation can be lessened the effects of a pandemic if do it ahead of time.

For more information into The Swine Flue Survival Guide mail me at tanaykumardas@in.com

You And The Swine Flu Knowledge That May Save You

tanay2035 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:17:06 -0700

With this new strain of influenza running around, properly called Type A H1N1 swine influenza, but more popularly known as the swine flu, I think it would be nice to give people the 411 on the latest medical emergency that's got the world's attention.

Swine influenza came from pigs, hence the name, and pigs usually have regular outbreaks of this disease. The problem with it this time is that this strain of influenza has managed to jump the species and went over to us Homo sapiens and cased a bit of havoc.

Pigs don't have to worry about it because most of them have built-in resistances to the diseases, mostly because of the constant evolutionary exposure to the disease. They like us when we receive the flu a few chills, sniffles and a bit of bed rest and we're right as rain. Problem with that is us humans don't have this resistance to swine flu, mostly because we're not pigs. The pigs would be in the same boat if a human strain had jumped into the porcine population.

The other problem with it is its virulence. The Center For Disease Control have determined that this strain of swine flu is contagious and can be passed to other people through the normal vectors the virus can be transmitted when someone touches something that is contaminated and the puts it in his eyes, nose, or mout. It's even airborne as microscopic droplets can travel through the air when someone sneezes. The CDC, however, is still a bit hazy on some other factors like incubation time and much contact is too much contact.

Another problem is that the swine flu has the same symptoms as regular human flu, just worse by an order of magnitude. High fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue can either mean you've been hit by the ordinary human flu and should take the usual cures or maybe you have the swine flu and need to go to the doctor immediately. Personally, it would be better to take no chances and just go to the doctor. Diarrhea and vomiting are the big warning signs though. Death by flue isn't direct though. It just compounds with other diseases like pneumonia and makes it even worse. It can also kick any existing medical conditions you have like asthma up a notch.

So, the question on your mind now probably is is there no hope or should I just run to the hills to avoid human contact Thankfully, you don't have to go that far. The CDC has recommended the use of several medicines to treat yourself with and to prevent the spread of the disease. Oseltamivir and zanamivir are viral inhibitors that make sure that the virus does not reproduce. More common antiviral drugs that are bought over the counter can also be effective. They make the symptoms milder and help your body heal itself faster. They can also stop some of the higher level complications that can happen when you are infected, if you take them early enough.

Of course, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. To avoid getting infected, try to avoid close contact with sick people and wash your hands on a regular basis, especially before you eat. If you have the unfrotunate luck of getting sick, isolate yourself and check your symptoms. Immediately consult with your doctor if your sickness persists more than usual.

The swine flu is just the latest in a long line of diseases that have endangered the human race. No matter how frightening it is, it's still pretty survivable. All you need to have is the right knowledge to win the battle.

For more Infos mail me at tanaykumardas@in.com

Vaccinations of Swine Flu

tanay2035 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:14:41 -0700

Vaccine against seasonal influenza strain H1N1 is not believed to protect us. Vaccines against the Swine Flu to cope with seasonal flu to minimize infection rates are typically developed, and yet annually it still kills around half a million of the world’s population. Today, they use an injection of killed virus, the world’s flu vaccines. Manufacturers are asked to produce a vaccine for H1N1, they are unlikely to be able to respond quickly enough if a global pandemic is declared.

About a billion doses of any one vaccine each year is the only they can produce, so that even if all the capacity was switched to fight a pandemic flu, as opposed to a seasonal flu. Few years ago, the supply of the vaccines they have produced were enough to epidemic but now is not enough for the total population’s outbreak.

Deadlier wave of a new H1N1 strain they forecast will reappear this fall and they have to produce pandemic vaccines as early as now to prepare for a turn out as the vaccine may not be as effective will be sure to a big waste of resources with serious results, and there would also be a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine available. Only a few more weeks were needed for the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) CDC to develop a seed strain of the pandemic virus on the first days May, but producers would then need four to six months before they could create large volumes of vaccine.

In other point of view, the WHO will attempt to make sure that a substantial amount is available and should a pandemic be declared and a vaccine produced, for the benefit of developing countries. Vaccine manufacturers and countries with standing orders, such as the U.S. and some European countries will be asked to share with developing countries from the moment the first batches are ready if an H1N1 vaccine is made.

2009-2010 flu seasons are ineffective against the new strain with the previous influenza vaccines for the north and south hemispheres. The WHO claims that two separate immunizations will be required for seasonal and swine flu, but no decision would be made on whether to begin producing a swine flu vaccine. The board will receive inputs from manufacturers (e.g. GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi-Aventis, Novartis and Baxter International) regarding when they are able to finish manufacturing the seasonal shot and begin production of the swine flu vaccine, waiting from the WHO of their recommendations and seed virus, and some may be ready to proceed with production at that time.

There also antiviral drugs available for treatments of influenza, the virus is resistant to amantadine and rimantadine but sensitive to the oseltamivir and zanamivir. There remains concern that this strain may mutate develop resistance to oseltamivir in the future. For the treatment and prevention of the Swine Flu, the CDC recommended the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir). Studies shows that the medication continues to maintain its effective that why the U.S. government had already extended the shelf life of federally stockpiled Tamiflu from their original five years to seven years.

Buying medications from online sources is not recommended by the WHO because they believed that half of the drugs they sold are counterfeited. Others are thinking if they grab up antiviral drugs for their safe even if they have no symptoms, the health officials warned them may eventually lead them to the Swine Flu virus developing drug resistance.

Swine Flu Overview, Treatment, and Prevention

tanay2035 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:36:16 -0700

Swine flu is an illness that is affecting hundreds of individuals in the United States as well as worldwide. According to the CDC, the illness may take some more time. Since one is likely to become infected with the condition, they need to understand swine flu symptoms in order for them to obtain proper treatment or medicaion.

The Symptoms

The symptoms of H1N1 infection is similar to that of seasonal flu. Among the symptoms include cough, sore throat, running or stuffy nose, chills and fatigue, to name just a few. Several people infected with the virus have complained of diarrhea and vomiting. The high risk groups prone to H1N1 is not yet known at the moment but it is likely that they are similar to those suffering from seasonal influenza.

People at greater risk of serious side effects from seasonal flu include people more than 65 years old, children below 5 years old, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical consitions as well as those who are taking immunosuppressive medications or with HIV infection.

Avoid Social Contact

If you are feeling sick, your condition may last for more than a week. You should remain at home and refrain from making social contact. As much as possible, you should not communicate with other people to avoid the spread of the virus.

At the moment, the CDC believes that H1N1 has similar properties on the aspect of transmission with seasonal flu virus. If you go out of the house to consult your doctor, wear a mask or use a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

According to recent studies, people suffering from seasonal flu are at risk to transmit the disease a day prior to development of symptoms for up to seven days after getting sick.

Children are more likely to be at risk for a longer period of time so it is best to consult a healthcare provider.

Emergency Warning Signs

If you suddenly become sick and experience any of the following warning signs, this is your cue to seek emergency medical assistance.

In the case of children becoming ill due to H1N1infection, the following warning signs may require immediate medical attention

Fast or difficulty in breathing
Bluish or gray colored skin
Insufficient amount of liquids
Severe or continuous vomiting
Lack of sleep or interaction
Irritability
Recovery from flu-like symptoms but the symptoms come back with fever and worse coughing

Among adults, the following emergency warning signs demand immediate medical attention

Trouble with breathing or shortness of breath
Abdominal pains or pressure in the chest
The individual suddenly becomes dizzy
The patient is confused
Severe or continuous vomiting
Recovery from flu-like symptoms but the symptoms come back with fever and worse coughing

Prevention Is The Best Treatment

You can do your part in preventing the spread of the H1N1 virus. Here are some tips on how you can take part in efforts for preventing the spread of infection.

Be aware. Obtain information about H1N1 by visiting the website of the CDC.

Use a tissue in covering your mouth and nose when sneezing. Afterwards, throw the tissue in the trash.

With soap and water, wash your hands after coughing or sneezing. If possible, use alcohol-based sanitizers.

Refrain from touching your nose or mouth as this could lead to easy transmission of germs.

By being aware of swine flu symptoms, the spread of the H1N1 virus would easily be prevented.

For more information into The Swine Flue Survival Guide mail me at tanaykumardas@in.com

"Regular" Flu Has Killed THOUSANDS Since January

Trixie6 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:39:38 -0700

Story Highlights:

Swine flu getting focus, but so far it's not deadly in United States
Since January, more than 13,000 have died of complications from seasonal flu
Worldwide annual death from the flu estimated between 250,000 and 500,000
About 9 out of 10 flu deaths are among people older than 65

updated 6:58 p.m. EDT, Tue April 28, 2009

By Doug Gross
CNN

(CNN) -- There had been no confirmed deaths in the United States related to swine flu as of Tuesday afternoon. But another virus had killed thousands of people since January and is expected to keep killing hundreds of people every week for the rest of the year.

That one? The regular flu.

An outbreak of swine flu that is suspected in more than 150 deaths in Mexico and has sickened dozens of people in the United States and elsewhere has grabbed the attention of a nervous public and of medical officials worried the strain will continue to mutate and spread.

Experts are nervous that, as a new strain, the swine flu will be harder to stop because there aren't any vaccines to fight it.

But even if there are swine-flu deaths outside Mexico -- and medical experts say there very well may be -- the virus would have a long way to go to match the roughly 36,000 deaths that seasonal influenza causes in the United States each year.

"That happens on an annual basis," Dr. Brian Currie said Tuesday. Currie is vice president and medical director at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York.

Since January, more than 13,000 people have died of complications from seasonal flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's weekly report on the causes of death in the nation.

No fewer than 800 flu-related deaths were reported in any week between January 1 and April 18, the most recent week for which figures were available.

The report looks at deaths in the 122 largest cities in the United States.

Worldwide, the annual death toll from the flu is estimated to be between 250,000 and 500,000.

About 9 out of 10 of those deaths are among people older than 65, Currie said. Most times, they already have health problems that the flu makes worse, he said.

"Regular influenza can be taxing," he said. "It causes their underlying disease to decompensate and then they don't have the reserves to get through it.

"While it may not be the direct cause listed on the death certificate, it certainly contributed."

One of the reasons medical experts are nervous about the swine flu outbreak is that many of the people who have died in Mexico have been young and otherwise healthy. The strains found in the United States have so far been weaker.

But even the regular flu is sometimes fatal for younger victims.

"It's not unheard of. It happens, either directly from influenza or they get a bacterial superinfection" like staph, said Currie.

While researchers haven't developed a vaccine to fight the new swine flu, it can be treated with antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, the same drugs used on the regular flu.

Many times, seasonal flu itself is tough to prevent because it has mutated to a form different than it was when the vaccine was made.

Seeking to put the swine flu outbreak in perspective Tuesday, Los Angeles County public health officer Dr. Jonathan Fielding echoed other public officials calling it "cause for concern, but not for alarm."

"Given the size of L.A. County, given the traffic between here and Mexico, it would be very surprising if we didn't have any cases," Fielding said.

He said the county, where the CDC had confirmed 10 cases of swine flu by Tuesday, sees more than 1,000 flu-related deaths every year.

"So it would also not be surprising if there were deaths with swine flu -- even if it had the pattern of seasonal flu," he said. "Thus far, the pattern we see in the United States is very similar to that of seasonal flu -- relatively mild to moderate cases."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/28/regular.flu/index.html

Study May Have Found Swine Flu Immunity in Older People

MartiniLush — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:33:50 -0700

By David Brown
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 22, 2009

A substantial portion of older Americans may have some immunity to the swine-origin H1N1 influenza virus, a finding that may prove useful when and if a vaccine to the new flu strain becomes available.

The questions of whom to target with a swine flu vaccine and how to stretch the supply if it is limited are among the most important issues facing public health officials over the next four months.

Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced yesterday that a study using stored blood samples found that one-third of people older than 60 have antibodies that might protect them from infection with the new virus. If further research is able to better define who has partial immunity, those people might need only one dose of vaccine, not two.

"Our working hypothesis is that everyone who gets this vaccine is likely to need two doses," Anne Schuchat, CDC's deputy director for science and public health, said yesterday. She added, however, that the new study suggests "perhaps there will be some people where preexisting immunity will be there, and one dose would lead to a 'primed' response. That is definitely . . . something we're interested in."

If a swine flu vaccine is produced, about 2 billion doses would be ready by next fall, the World Health Organization estimates. Public health authorities presumably would recommend it for people at greatest risk for severe illness and death. As of yesterday, the United States had 5,764 confirmed cases and nine deaths, in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Epidemiologists believe, however, that more than 100,000 people have been infected since the new virus came to public attention a month ago. Worldwide, 41 countries have reported 11,034 cases and 85 deaths -- numbers that are almost certainly also an undercount.

The blood study, published yesterday in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, gives an immunological explanation for a surprising observation in the swine flu outbreak: that very few old people are getting sick.

Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. cases are in people between 5 and 24 years old. Less than 1 percent are in people older than 65, those most susceptible to typical seasonal outbreaks of influenza. Of the people ill enough to be hospitalized, 40 percent have been 19 to 49.

In the study, researchers tested blood collected since 2005 for research on the effectiveness of seasonal flu vaccine. They exposed the blood to samples of the swine flu to see whether it contained antibodies that attacked the virus. Samples from children 6 months to 9 years old contained virtually no antibodies against the swine flu strain. However, 6 percent of people 18 to 40, 9 percent of people 18 to 64 and 33 percent of people older than 60 had the antibodies.

When blood samples taken after the same people had received seasonal flu vaccine were tested, the percentage with active antibodies against the swine flu strain increased in the two older groups. Specifically, for the 18-to-64-year-olds, it increased from 9 to 25 percent; and for the older-than-60 group, from 33 to 43 percent.

Overall, the findings suggest that many older people may have been exposed to a flu virus decades ago that bore a similarity to the new strain and triggered an immune response. Seasonal flu shots appear to boost that "memory" response a little. A vaccine made from the new strain would be expected to both increase and sharpen the response -- perhaps enough that a single shot would suffice. However, people whose immune systems have never encountered a flu strain even remotely like the new one would almost certainly need two shots to gain protection.

Schuchat, the CDC epidemiologist, said no firm conclusions can be drawn yet. It is not known whether the "cross-reactive" antibodies found in the study will prove to be protective against illness, or whether the 79 children and 280 adults whose blood samples were tested are representative of the population at large. Studies to answer those questions are underway.

Source

2 Calif. deaths investigated for swine flu links

starangel82 — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:05:12 -0700

Associated Press
By SHAYA TAYEFE MOHAJER

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County coroner's office is investigating the recent deaths of two men for links to swine flu.

Los Angeles Coroner's spokesman Craig Harvey told the Los Angeles Times that a hospital in Bellflower reported the death of a 33-year-old Long Beach man who was brought in Saturday with symptoms resembling Swine flu.

The other death was a 45-year-old La Mirada man who died April 22 at a Norwalk hospital.

Coroner's Capt. John Kades (KAY-dis) says the bodies are being tested but that there has been no confirmation the disease killed them. He offered no other details about the men.

The Los Angeles Times reports on its Web site that both men's deaths were reported to the coroner's office on Monday.

"Something Different" with the Flu This Year

stephley — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:02:52 -0700

Washington - The new strain of H1N1 flu is causing "something different" to happen in the United States this year - perhaps an extended year-round flu season that disproportionately hits young people, health officials said on Thursday.

An unusually cool late spring may be helping keep the infection going in the U.S. Northeast, especially densely populated areas in New York and Massachusetts, the officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

And infections among healthcare workers suggest that people are showing up at work sick - meaning that workplace policies may be contributing to its spread, the CDC officials said.

The new strain of swine flu is officially a pandemic now, according to the World Health Organization.

So far the virus is causing mild to moderate disease, but it has killed at least 167 people and been confirmed in nearly 40,000 globally.

The United States has been hardest hit, with upward of 100,000 likely cases and probably far more, with 44 deaths and 1,600 hospitalized.

"The fact that we are seeing ongoing transmission now indicates that we are seeing something different," the CDC's Dr. Daniel Jernigan told a news briefing.

"And we believe that that may have to do with the complete lack of immunity to this particular virus among those that are most likely affected. And those are children," Jernigan added.

"The areas of the country that are most affected, some of them have very high population densities, like Boston and New York. So that may be a contributor as well. Plus the temperature in that part of the country is cooler, and we know that influenza appears to like the cooler times of the year for making transmission for effective."

Jernigan said in areas that are the most affected up to 7 percent of the population has influenza-like illness.

Summer of Flu

"The United States will likely continue to see influenza activity through the summer, and at this point we're anticipating that we will see the novel H1N1 continue with activity probably all the way into our flu season in the fall and winter. The amount of activity we expect to be low, and then pick up later."

One worrying pattern: healthcare workers are being infected, and most reported they did little or nothing to protect themselves, the CDC's Dr. Mike Bell said.

People coming into emergency departments or clinics need to be checked right away for flu symptoms and anyone working with such a patient needs to wear a mask, gloves and eyewear, Bell said.

"We're beginning to see a pattern of healthcare personnel-to-healthcare personnel transmission in some of the clusters, which is also concerning, because it gets to the issue of people showing up to work sick," Bell said.

Doctors, nurses and technicians who have flu can spread it to vulnerable patients, Bell noted.

As of May 13, the CDC said it had received 48 reports of healthcare workers infected with swine flu.

Detailed case reports on 26 showed that 13 were infected in a healthcare setting such as a clinic or hospital and 12 caught it from infected patients, the CDC said in its weekly report on death and disease.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN18408345

Confirmed flu cases in Texas rise to 16

Great Sommelier — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:54:13 -0700

Source

State officials ratcheted up their response to the swine flu outbreak Wednesday, with the governor declaring a disaster in Texas and the state acquiring more antiviral medication. Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grew to 16 in Texas, .

The unusual form of influenza has killed one child in Texas, and health officials revealed at a press conference Wednesday that another toddler and a pregnant woman, both of whom are critically ill, are likely infected as well.

The new cases are unconfirmed by the CDC, but officials believe their sickness is related to the outbreak, which is causing fears of a global pandemic, said State Health Commissioner Dr. David Lakey on Wednesday at a press conference with Governor Rick Perry and other state officials.

Officials did not identify where the new cases were located because family members were still being contacted. The ill toddler is 23 months old, Lakey said. The pregnant woman’s child was delivered by emergency cesarean section and was doing well.

"The mother, however, is in critical condition," Lakey said. "Our thoughts and prayers are really with these families right now."

Even as they delivered that news, officials at the press conference urged Texans to keep perspective, reminding them that the majority of people in the U.S. who have fallen ill have only suffered mild symptoms and that state’s influenza pandemic response plan was well-rehearsed and in full motion.

"We have not only rehearsed this plan repeatedly, we have honed our team approach to disaster management during our response to numerous storms and wildfires and floods," said Perry, who also announced a disaster proclamation for the entire state. "There is no need to panic."

The University Interscholastic League announced that it will postpone athletic competitions, suspending the baseball season and eliminating the regional track championship.

Fears of swine flu have caused "a handful of districts" to voluntarily close, affecting about 53,000 students statewide, said Robert Scott, Texas Education Agency commissioner.

"The vast majority of our public schools continue to operate normally," he said. "That being said, we want to send a message that there will be no penalty for any district - financial or academic - if they take the steps of closing a campus or district. We will offer waiver days for their school calendar to make sure they don’t have to make them up in the summer."

Asked if the state would consider ordering all schools closed, Scott that could be considered at some point but "We’re not there yet."

Swine Flu has been confirmed in seven countries. Ninety-one cases in the U.S. are confirmed, Lakey said.

Officials expect to find more hospitalized victims of swine flu, as well as additional deaths, as the outbreak develops, Lakey said. The severity of illness in the pregnant woman has officials working closely with federal health officials on how to address the risk for pregnant women, who are more susceptible to all types of influenza.

"Women who are pregnant and have been in contact with someone who has swine flu need to be put on the appropriate medications," he said.

Perry called his disaster proclamation a step that "raises Texas to a higher state of alert and releases resources to address to the spread of this virus."

Those resources included the CDC approving his request for 25 percent – 850,000 courses – of the Texas allotment of antiviral medication from the CDCs Strategic National Stockpile to be prepositioned in the state.

This request augments more than 840,000 courses of antiviral medication on hand in Texas following a purchase authorized by Gov. Perry and the 80th Legislature in 2007.

If a flu outbreak turned into a pandemic, Texas could be hit hard.

If 15 percent of Tarrant County’s population fell ill, it could lead to an estimated 2,674 hospitalizations and 546 deaths, according to a 2009 report by Tarrant County Public Health. A pandemic of the same intensity as the one in 1918 could kill 1,818.

A severe pandemic could kill an estimated 146,000 in the state and make nearly 6.8 million sick, according to a 2008 report on preparedness by the nonprofit Trust for American Health. The potential financial loss could exceed $55 billion.

During a flu pandemic, Texas would need about 5.5 million doses of antiviral medication to treat 25 percent of its residents, said Serena Vinter, the organization’s senior research associate. The federal government has provided 3.3 million dosages to the state. Texas bought additional dosages at a discounted price negotiated by the federal government, but less than half of its share, she said.

"If this did turn into a pandemic, Texas would not have enough antiviral," Vinter said.

Asked about the unaqcuired supply of antiviral, Lakey said that "there were additional antivirals that could have been available."

"A lot of us met together to decide what would be prudent ... to meet the needs. And after a lot of conversations that was the amount that we determined to be prudent."

Swine flu confirmed in NYC high school students

starangel82 — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 10:27:38 -0700

Associated Press
By KAREN MATTHEWS

NEW YORK – New York City was dealing with a growing public health threat Sunday after tests confirmed that eight students at a private Catholic high school had contracted swine flu. Some of the school's students had visited Mexico on a spring break trip two weeks ago.

New York officials previously had said they were eight probable cases, but Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that it was swine flu, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

About 100 students at St. Francis Preparatory School complained of flu-like symptoms.

Bloomberg stressed that the cases in New York were mild and many are recovering, but also said that parents of the students also had flu symptoms, "suggesting it is spreading person to person."

He said that the virus likely came from Mexico, although that has not officially been determined.

"We do know that some of the students from the school had a spring break in Mexico," Bloomberg said, surrounded by top city officials and members of Congress. "It is most likely to be brought back from Mexico, but nobody knows."

Federal health officials said Sunday that 20 cases of swine flu have been reported so far in New York, Ohio, Kansas, Texas and California. Patients have ranged in age from 9 to over 50. At least two were hospitalized. All recovered or are recovering.

In Mexico, health officials say a strain of swine flu has killed up to 81 people and sickened more than 1,000.

New York officials said the flu strain discovered in the patients here is similar to the one in Mexico, but not as severe at this point. They are still conducting tests to investigate the strain in New York.

St. Francis is the largest private Catholic high school in the nation, with 2,700 students. The school canceled classes on Monday and Tuesday in response to the outbreak.

Parent Jackie Casola said Sunday that her son Robert Arifo, a St. Francis sophomore, told her on Thursday that a number of children had been sent home because of illness. On Friday, he said hardly anyone was in school.

Casola said she expected to keep him home from school on Monday, even if it was open. He hasn't shown any symptoms, but some of his friends have, she said, and she has been extra vigilant about his health.

"I must have drove him crazy, I kept taking his temperature in the middle of the night," she said.