Swine (H1N1) Flu WHO Update

The CDC has reported the World Health Organization has raised the worldwide pandemic alert to PHASE 6.

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway.

What does this mean to my good readers? Absolutely nothing. You can continue to go about your daily activities without fear of Armageddon. Seriously. You have a greater chance of acquiring higher taxes in the coming months than Swine Flu.

Even though WHO raised its alert, this is due to the spread of the worldwide and not the severity of illness caused by the virus. As a reminder to my readers, I am posting simple steps to break the cycle of transmission of this virus. These are activities that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine – with or without a WHO pandemic alert.

Individuals have an important role in protecting themselves and their families.

• Stay informed. Health officials will provide additional information as it becomes available.
• Everyone should take these everyday steps to protect your health and lessen the spread of this new virus:
  • 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 hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
  • Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

Philly readers can find the latest information on Swine Flu (H1N1) at the Pennsylvania Dept of Health. To date, there have been 123 confirmed, 48 probable cases of Swine Flu (H1N1). There has been on confirmed death in Philadelphia.

Swine (H1n1) Flu in Philly

Per CDC: 1639 Cases and 2 deaths.

The Pennsylvania Health Department has confirmed two cases of Swine Flu in Philadelphia, bringing the total to 10 cases in Pennsylvania.

Swine Flu resources for Employers and Businesses

What does this mean to the rest of us? WASH YOUR HANDS, COVER YOUR COUGH and SICK? STAY HOME.

Swine (H1N1) Flu and You

U.S. Human cases of Swine (H1N1) Flu: 403 cases 1 death of a Mexican National.

Added a CDC Text Message widget to the sidebar – Do you want to stay up-to-date and informed on public health text alerts before and during emergencies? In addition to sending out SMS text messages during emergencies and events, the CDC also makes these messages available through RSS and this widget.

Previously on MidnightBlue:

Swine (H1N1) Flu
Swine Flu Updates
Swine Flu Symptoms
Swine Flu Update
Swine Flu Alert

Swine (H1N1) Flu

U.S. Human Cases of Swine (H1N1) Flu: 266 cases, 1 death

Pregnant Women and Swine Flu Considerations – CDC Recommendations

A Novant Health informational video about the importance of a hand hygiene. This tongue and cheek approach cleverly uses the popular Barry Manilow song “Copacabana” as the vehicle to deliver an important message:

Swine (H1N1) Flu Note

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu (H1N1) Infection: 160 confirmed cases and 1 death (Mexican National)

Added a second Swine Flu widget to the sidebar

What is the definition of a confirmed case of Swine Flu? Below is the CDC definition of what constitutes a confirmed case:

CDC definition of a confirmed case:

A confirmed case of S-OIV infection is defined as a person with an acute febrile respiratory illness with laboratory confirmed S-OIV infection at CDC by one or more of the following tests:

1. real-time RT-PCR
2. viral culture

A probable case of S-OIV infection is defined as a person with an acute febrile respiratory illness who is positive for influenza A, but negative for H1 and H3 by influenza RT-PCR

A suspected case of S-OIV infection is defined as a person with acute febrile respiratory illness with onset

* within 7 days of close contact with a person who is a confirmed case of S-OIV infection, or
* within 7 days of travel to community either within the United States or internationally where there are one or more confirmed cases of S-OIV infection, or
* resides in a community where there are one or more confirmed cases of S-OIV infection.

Infectious period for a confirmed case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as 1 day prior to the case’s illness onset to 7 days after onset.

Close contact is defined as: within about 6 feet of an ill person who is a confirmed or suspected case of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection during the case’s infectious period.

Acute respiratory illness is defined as recent onset of at least two of the following: rhinorrhea or nasal congestion, sore throat, cough (with or without fever or feverishness)

High-risk groups: A person who is at high-risk for complications of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as the same for seasonal influenza

Above all, remember to wash your hands!

Previously on MidnightBlue:

Swine Flu Updates
Swine Flu Symptoms
Swine Flu Update
Swine Flu Alert

Swine Flu Updates

The CDC is officially reporting 109 cases and 1 death of a Mexican national in the United States. Yesterday, I briefly caught a local reporter stating confirmed cases in New Jersey and Delaware. As of 8:30 am on May 1st, the CDC has not reported any confirmed cased in these states. It would be prudent for the local media to wait for CDC confirmation before rushing the story to the public.

I’m certainly surprised that Philly has not one confirmed case, as we have a large population of college students. However, I will not report on suspected cases, only those confirmed to have swine flu by the CDC.

UPDATE: Airline Passenger with flu-like symptoms being examined and treated at Methodist Hospital.

CDC Tips to Help You Stay Healthy:

• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
  • 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.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

This podcast discusses the actions and goals of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, related to the current outbreak of H1N1 flu (swine flu):

Previously on MidnightBlue:

Swine Flu Symptoms
Swine Flu Update
Swine Flu Alert

Swine Flu Symptoms

As of this morning there are 91 confirmed cases and 1 death from the Swine Flu.

UPDATE: WHO has raised Pandemic Alert to Level 5

I’ve tried to keep politics out of this information, but I have to comment on Biden. His statements regarding the swine flu are dangerously negligent, inflaming fear instead of reason regarding the swine flu. I strongly suggest the public ignore the medical advice from Biden and heed the advice of the CDC.

In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee with the CDC Influenza Division describes swine flu – its signs and symptoms, how it’s transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people should do if they become ill

This podcast, intended for the general public, demonstrates how to put on and take off disposable respirators that are to be used in areas affected by the influenza outbreak.

You can find more evidence based videos regarding the Swine Flu and other health topics at the CDCStreamingHealth YouTube Channel.

Previously on MidnightBlue:

Swine Flu Update
Swine Flu Alert

A Regretable Relationship

My favorite naval aviator sent a charming reminder to me to get the flu shot this season:

I will seek and find you, I shall take you to bed and have my way with you, I will make you ache, shake & sweat until you moan & groan, I will make you beg for mercy, beg for me to stop, I will exhaust you to the point that you will be relieved when I’m finished with you. And, when I am finished, you will be weak for days.

All my love,
The Flu

Should I be concerned his thoughts of me revolve around Influenza???

It’s Back! Flu Season Has Arrived!

My dear readers and lurkers, I ask only two things of you this season:

1. Vote McCain/Palin

2. Get the Flu shot right frakking NOW!

Protect yourself and your family this year by getting the flu shot. Protect your wallet this year by voting McCain/Palin.

You can read more about the Flu vaccine on the CDC’s website HERE