swine flu

[Rosendula]

I've just been reading about the swine flu in Mexico on the BBC's website. In a part of the report, it says,

The Mexican government, which has faced criticism for what some see as a slow reaction to this outbreak, is now taking an increasingly hard line to try to contain the virus, says the BBC's Stephen Gibbs in Mexico City.

I don't know how the news media works. Could someone please tell me if it's likely that this Stephen Gibbs fella is a BBC correspondent that is permanently in Mexico, or if it's more likely that he's UK based and been sent there to report on the possible worldwide pandemic which would be a bit chuffing stupid?

[Annpan]

The BBC is a freakin' huge News corporation (technical term... obviously) You can take it as read that the BBC has an official man based in every major city in the world. In fact there are probably very few places that the BBC don't have official correspondents based in.


From the last bit of info I heard, it isn't really a major worry at the moment and most of the health folks think it can be easily contained, and they keep an eye on it.... I think that was last night on radio 4.

[Ellendra]

I keep reading conflicting stories. One official says it'll be easily contained, another says its too late to contain it. As of this morning there were confirmed cases in multiple countries, all having recently returned from Mexico, which means everyone on the airplane, and everyone who has had contact with those on the airplane, have been exposed already.

The ones in New York City are all high school students, which means they've exposed everyone at their school too.

(In America, high school is for ages 14-18. I have no idea what that translates to in other countries)

[Green Aura]

Hit US, continental EU, Israel NZ and Scotland today!

[Annpan]

Bums! OH's workmate who is just back from his honeymoon (remember that wedding I went to a few weeks ago) in Mexico is going to be off sick tomorrow..... IKES!!!!!

[MuddyWitch]

But the weird thing is that although 81 poor souls have perished in Mexico, where-ever else it's been identified, like here in the UK, it's a VERY MILD flu. Those unfortunate folk in Mexico all died from a secondary infection of pnuemonia. Why? Is Mexico that poor? Surely they could have been treated for pnuemonia, even if they themselves had no health care cover?

MW

[Ellendra]

The one in Mexico has killed mainly those between the ages of 20-40. The majority of cases in the US have been under 20. It may be as simple as that, or it may be diet and sanitation.

[Annpan]

MuddyWitch, sadly people die of pneumonia in the UK too.... even 'young healthy' people... even in hospitals.

But in regards to it being a pandemic, more people have probably been killed by safety pins in the last week, I do hate the overuse of that word.



Still waiting to hear from OH if it is his colleague in hospital.... eeks...

[invisiblepiper]

Watched the news on this just now - we may all die of scare tactics first! Or am I just cynical?
It would be hard to contain if it took hold though - as we all travel so much.

[John Headstrong]

PANIC, PANIC NOW, PANIC LOTS!!

at least that is what the telly is telling me to do.

I can see the reason for why it is hitting younger people, the strain of flu is a mutated version of an old one H1N1 so older people would have had it before and therefore have some protection against it.

PS we are all doomed (the telly says so)

[Annpan]

Reason 47 for not having a telly

[Mal]

I was quite amused the other day when radio 4 carried a news story about how people reported themselves as 'worried about the future' and when on to discuss what a strange thing this was that our level of worry was going up.

Strangely, the absolute sense of panic that every single news headline appears to be designed to induce didn't seem to feature as a contributing factor.

Mind you, on the run in to the recession, the media refused to discuss the notion that repeatedly telling people we were heading in to a recession, and it was going to be the worst we've ever seen, might in some way be contributing to the slow down.

[wulf]

Here is a map.

I've no idea about the accuracy or how well it will be maintained but it looks fairly detailed at the moment.

Wulf

[Big Al]

Well I'm shitting bricks........


I guess these could be of use in building a shelter somewhere but what is scaring me is that we have no money at all and survive on meagre supplies from day to day. If schools close down or the benefits system stops we will be stealing to live in days never mind any longer.

[Annpan]

It was him....oh crap!