really, the Heck with that vacation. what is the point in taking a risk of bringing back a flu virus on a plane which could then spread the virus to the community of each of the passengers. it is geometric.

going to see a sick relative? okay. sitting in the sand at the tiki bar? not so smart.

If you are going to go to a country that is infected with such a virus than stay there till it is over . Do not bring it back to those of us that do not want it or children that have weak systems. This is pretty selfish on your part and to impose your risk on us is just not right.And to the ones who are going to visit sick people for sure do not return you will bring it back with you.

I have to admit, I have travel plans (within US) in the near future that I am a bit nervous about. Just for the very fact of people travelling who put themselves at risk or worse yet just travel while sick and then decide it is okay to risk my and your lives by getting on a cramped poorly ventilated airplane and expose everyone else.

I dont blame the man in the article going to visit his ailing mother (and I don't assume the mother has swine)but I would try my best to stay away from people until I knew I did not contract this strain of flu. Also it is a misconception at this point that you can take a "flu shot" There is no flu shot at this point available to the public that covers this swine flu. Just wanted to clear that up, unless I am mistaken. Hope there is a vaccine soon though.

A local country music radio station is reporting the first swine flu related death in the United States this morning. A 23 month old baby in Texas.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

That baby was brought to Houston from Mexico for treatment!

Hmmm...fastest growing Hispanic population in the USA, a hog plant in every hamlet...

Ahhh-hhh-CHOO!

The WHO has reported that there have been only 7 deaths related to this virus world wide, not the 152 some news agencies are reporting.

For the few people who just asked themselves "what do Pete Townsend and Roger Daultry know about the swine flu outbreak?" It's the World Health Organisation.

azmaggie, I believe the toddler was visiting relatives in Texas and then while there fell ill and brought to Houston for treatment.

Mr. America - I believe you might be mistaken. I have read contrary to that statements from WHO. Maybe you saw an older article? I just did a quick search and found articles stating WHO are contributing alot more than 7 deaths to swine. It is true that it may take awhile before "official" docmentation reaches WHO from CDC and local health departments. Please do no discount the seriousness of the swine.

Regardless of the numbers this is a nasty virus easily spread between humans. The aggressive actions taken by the US are appropriate and if anything should be further strengthened until a clear plateau of reversal is certain.

It's from this morning. You may have to work on the research skills a bit.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/only-7-swine-flu-deaths-not-152-says-who-20090429-aml1.html

Mr. America, I was not being snide if that was the way you took it. I will check out your .au link. Regardless though, just because they havent officially recognized the remainding deaths could be strictly due to time lapse in paperwork. I am not trying to scream "the russians are coming" paranoia, and even in the face of other illnesses causing deaths, such as regular flu, this flu is a new strain, without a vaccine, and this does pose a great health risk and could quickly become a dire situation. If it were no big deal, the governments and health organizations would not be as aggressive as they are being, in my opinion.

Quote from the link from Sydney Australia Herald:

"That figure is not a figure that's come from the World Health Organisation and, I repeat, the death toll is seven and they are all from Mexico."

Ms Allan said WHO had confirmed 40 cases of swine flu in the Americas, 26 in Mexico, six in Canada, two in Spain, two in Britain and three in New Zealand.

Okay, first, I did another search, I find articles from News agencies similar to the Australia Herald that has an "official" from WHO stating something different. Please look around and let me know what you make of the discrepency.

Second, if you look at the quote, it insinuates that 26 people in Mexico have been confirmed having swine. Does that mean of those 26, 7 have died FROM Mexico. Man, that is not good odds if true. I am not sure if that might be worse odds than if it were as reported with 152 deaths.

...and what about what the CDC is reporting? I cant beleive there would be so much hoopla and warnings not to travel to Mexico or US if there were just a measly 72 people affected. I don't believe this article Mr. America, I just dont. Maybe it is just something as simple as paperwork or autopsies, etc being performed or not. But seriously, I wish...and I hope I am the one wrong here and this isnt as serious as it is shaping up to be. I would be thrilled to be wrong.

They dont even have the one US counted, so we are wrong just because WHO isnt counting it at this time?

ninja- the big deal is this is a new mutated virus never before seen and it has the potential to become a pandemic.

I think you were just trying to be funny here ninja, but in all seriousness- medically and scientfically- this is a HUGE deal. It is especially a big deal to those directly affected.

but I do agree with you about the crappy news ;-)

I have stocked up on anti-bacterial wipes and hand santizer and am going to use those everytime I go to the store.

The scary thing about this virus is that it is killing young, healthy adults. The reason it is killing young healthy people is because of their strong immune system. Because of the strong immune system when they are exposed to the new virus that their body has never been exposed too, their immune system is overreacting and causing a cytokine storm. In effect the virus is causing the immune system to go crazy and then kill the person. With the immigrant population here, this is a serious threat.

I do understand what you mean Ninja, so many illnesses, so many cures needed. Undoubtedly there will be more than this swine flu. I think because the seemingly quick transmission and course this swine flu and how it is evolving, I dunno, it does worry me especially since it is hitting the US, it feels a bit more of a threat. I do believe a vaccine won't be too far off though, so that is good.

oh...and for oldtimes sake...Schlotzky's turkey and bacon :P

I'm a germaphobe to, can you tell?? LOL. So at what point would you not fly on an airplane?

Ive read that WHO is getting closer to going to level 5, pandemic.

Anti-bacterial wipes and hand sanitizers don't kill viruses. You need to wash your hands with soap and water.

and sing "happy birthday" twice while you are scrubbing.

i don't think the man in this article was visiting his mother who was sick with swine flu. i do think that it will quickly be seen that school closings and some quarantine ( voluntary or imposed) will begin soon.

No heritage, it is the ABC's....

"In Mexico, where the global outbreak originated, health officials suspect the swine flu outbreak has caused at least 159 deaths and roughly 2,500 illnesses. So far, 26 cases, including the seven deaths, have been confirmed."

I just wanted Mr. America to know, I did find some validity to what he said through an article about WHO raising the alert level to 5, just out on CNN.

I think that while technically correct as far as of yet confirmed, that there are many, many more "suspected cases" than the 7/26 who have died in Mexico.

Dont forget to at least use your Anti-bacterial wipes & wipe down the handles of shopping carts guys! (germaphobe here too!) But some ppl dont think about that and they are FULL of germs! Yuck!

Don't lick your fingers to open plastic bags in the produce section. Keep a small damp cloth or towelette in a bag in your pocket or purse.

min- you are 100% correct. Imagine the horror, yes, the utter shock one germaphobe would get when grabbing a cart at walmart (who btw does not offer antibacterial wipes like HYvee does) anyways grabbed a cart only to feel something...not right and pull away their hand to a booger, big bright and green! *gag*

Not to mention, I REFUSE REFUSE REFUSE to put stuff in the carts where babies/toddlers sit. Can you imagine the germs on that from uncleanly kids...and their diapers? I have seen some that put direct diaper bottom to cart contact or the the diaper is bulging out of their clothes. THere isnt a parent around who has not experienced a diaper explosion at one point or another! *shudder*

Yes... to MY horror I have actually witnessed a mother letting her teething infant put its mouth on the cart handle!!
**GAG GAG**
Good info Wright, time and time again I have watched ppl lick and pluck those baggies...(those are most likely the ppl that dont wash their hands when they use the restroom)
Think of how clean and healthier the world would be if everyone was germophobic!!!

I just read that there is a possible case in Platte County, http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1170055.html That's a little too close for me.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.