Discussion - WHO Update May 5, 2009

[pablomorgan]

5 May 2009 -- As of 06:00 GMT, 5 May 2009, 21 countries have officially reported 1124 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 590 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 25 deaths. The United States has reported 286 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (140), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Costa Rica (1), Colombia (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (4), Germany (8), Ireland (1), Israel (4), Italy (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (6), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (1), Spain (54), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (18).



It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.

WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders.

There is no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products.

Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_05/en/index.html

 

[marcovth]

Re: WHO Update

Re: WHO Update

How is it possible that with a USA:Canada 10:1 ratio in population, you see about a 2:1 ratio in number of confirmed cases ???

Is the U.S. hiding something? Or were there bigger infection clusters in Canada?

Didn't the spread start earlier in the U.S. than in Canada?

 

[wotan]

Re: WHO Update

Re: WHO Update

Perhaps the testing capacity is only 2:1?

 

[Extrapolation]

Re: WHO Update

Re: WHO Update

This is a NEWS ONLY forum - please use the discussion threads - dont contaminate the NEWS with opinion please.

Thank you - E

 

[marcovth]

Re: WHO Update

Re: WHO Update

Perhaps the testing capacity is only 2:1?

Would that be an embarrassing situation for the CDC ?!

BTW, why did Mexico send their first samples to the Canadian CDC in Winnipeg and not to the CDC in Atlanta? The CDC got it days later.

Was there Mexican politics involved?

 

[hornblower]

Re: Discussion - WHO Update May 5, 2009

The CDC was sent the samples too but it took longer to get them there.
See this interview with the Mexican chief of Mexico's lab:

http://blogs.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2009/05/exclusive-inter.html


Remember that since NAFTA (& even before) all three nations have worked closely together on a variety of issues.
Canada's lab is one of 15 elite labs in the world who can handle highly pathogenic samples.

There's an interesting article today about how this all played out on Canada's side:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/serv...xfluhunters05islart2241/BNStory/National/home