Swine Flu: Possible Pandemic
The world is in the throes of a possible pandemic called the Swine Flu. Pictures and reports coming out of Mexico, where the largest number of cases has been reported and where they are the most severe, are a flash back to fiction movies of the past coming to hunt us.
Mexico City at present seems to be the hardest hit. There have been 1348 people sickened with a death toll of 108. The president of Mexico stepped in and closed schools and public places. Pictures from this bustling city on Sunday showed a ghost town. The military is passing out masks and corralling people who appeared sick with the flu. The cases in Mexico seem to be more severe than cases of the flu elsewhere so far. There people on the streets are wearing masks.
America’s CDC, Center for Disease Control, and WHO, the World Health Organization, are working closely with their Mexican counterparts to fight this emergency. They also want to gain information to help prevent further spread of the flu. There are 12 million doses of Tamiflu are ready if needed.
We have not been spared here in the United States, but our strain of flu has been much milder. There have been cases in Texas, California, Ohio , Kansas and New York. The New York cases seem to have come from students returning from Mexico on spring break. The St. Francis School has been closed because of the flu. There have been small reports of cases in other countries.
Airlines have stepped up to the plate and dropped the usual fee for changing flights that go to or through Mexico.
No one is taking this lightly and right now everyone seems to be working together to prevent a pandemic of massive proportions. WE can all help out by washing our hands frequently. Cover our coughs not with our hands but in the crook of our arms. If you think you have the flu. DON’T go to the emergency room! Call your doctor.
The symptoms of the flu are high fever, nausea, and aches, pains, coughing, and chills. The elderly and those with health problems need to be very aware of the dangers and take proper precautions.
President Obama has promised to keep us informed as to what is going on. We all need to take care but there is no need to panic.