Doctors sound the Alarm on a certain Flu Virus....

The Prowler · « **on:** April 26, 2009, 04:51:47 PM »

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Doctors sound alarm on the Pig Flu
Julia Medew
April 27, 2009

AUSTRALIANS have been urged to look out for symptoms of a deadly swine flu that appears to have spread from Mexico to New Zealand, France and the US, sparking fears of a major pandemic.

Australia's chief medical officer Jim Bishop briefed hospital emergency departments and GPs on the flu's symptoms at the weekend after the World Health Organisation warned it was a "public health emergency of international concern".

The new strain, feared to have killed at least 81 people in Mexico and infected 11 in the US, also appeared to have affected 10 New Zealand students who tested positive for Influenza A when they returned home from Mexico on Saturday.

"Ministry of Health officials advise me there is no guarantee these students have swine influenza, but they consider it likely," NZ Health Minister Tony Ryall said in a statement.

None were considered seriously ill and most seemed to be on the road to recovery, he said.

French health authorities had also found two suspected cases of swine flu in travellers returning from Mexico and others were expected to follow, general health director Didier Houssin told Le Parisien newspaper.

Swine influenza is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs. Symptoms in humans generally include upper respiratory problems, but the air-borne illness can cause severe pneumonia and death.

Professor Bishop said the current strain seemed to be a hybrid form of human, bird and pig flu, which could be transmitted from human to human.

He said although there were no known cases in Australia, emergency departments were alerted to the potential for cases late on Saturday and GPs were notified yesterday.

Professor Bishop said Australia was well stocked with Tamiflu and Relenza, believed to be useful against the flu. It is not expected that the Australian seasonal influenza vaccine will provide protection against this new strain of the swine flu.

Greens senator Bob Brown criticised the Government's response as too slow, given it learnt of the outbreak on Saturday. He said the nature of modern air travel meant it should be vetting travellers from the Americas coming to Australia either directly or indirectly.

"This is obviously a potential cause of huge trauma and misery around the world, including Australia," he said.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/doctors-sound-alarm-on-pig-flu-20090426-ajeg.html

This shit is Serious....The last time a flu was able to jump from swine to humans was in 1918, it was called the Spanish Flu, when it killed over 20 Million people Worldwide. But, this is one of the few times, maybe the first time, that a flu strain has been able to jumped from human to human, originating from the pig flu.

If you come into contact with a lot of people every day, wash your hands as many times as you can.

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Predictions from the CDC suggest that 200,000 in the US could die if a particularly virulent strain of flu struck the country

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/489385.stm

Tiger Wench · « **Reply #1 on:** April 26, 2009, 05:26:00 PM »

Maybe we should cancel our game against Arkansas this year...

boartitz · « **Reply #2 on:** April 26, 2009, 10:30:29 PM »

Quote from: Tiger Wench on April 26, 2009, 05:26:00 PM

Maybe we should cancel our game against Arkansas this year...

C'mon baby. Give me a smooch. I have the immunities built up in my system.

Saniflush · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2009, 01:39:53 PM »

Quote from: The Prowler on April 26, 2009, 04:51:47 PM

This shit is Serious....The last time a flu was able to jump from swine to humans was in 1918, it was called the Spanish Flu, when it killed over 20 40 Million people Worldwide. But, this is one of the few times, maybe the first time, that a flu strain has been able to jumped from human to human, originating from the pig flu.

http://vir.sgmjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/84/9/2285

RWS · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2009, 01:46:20 PM »

And I leave for Mexico on Saturday......fucking wonderful.

Saniflush · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2009, 01:50:25 PM »

Quote from: runswithscissors on April 27, 2009, 01:46:20 PM

And I leave for Mexico on Saturday......fucking wonderful.

Damn, I didn't even think about that. Rescheduling may not be the worst decision you have ever made.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2009, 02:20:09 PM »

Quote from: runswithscissors on April 27, 2009, 01:46:20 PM

And I leave for Mexico on Saturday......fucking wonderful.

Shake hands with as many people as you can find. Extend a warm U.S. of A. greeting to help spread the love. Perhaps a kiss on the cheek, as is customary in many countries arouind the globe.

AUTailgatingRules · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2009, 03:06:06 PM »

Can we send Obama back down to Mexico for another summit or something?

RWS · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2009, 04:53:15 PM »

Quote from: Saniflush on April 27, 2009, 01:50:25 PM

Damn, I didn't even think about that. Rescheduling may not be the worst decision you have ever made.

Carnival will tell me to kiss their ass. If its really bad by this weekend they just won't dock and we will circle around offshore from the ports in Mexico. Worst case scenario we circle around at sea and I get about half of my money back.

Townhallsavoy · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2009, 05:31:32 PM »

I'm coughing like crazy and I'm tired. I'm also craving BBQ.

AUJarhead · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2009, 10:36:03 PM »

Quote from: runswithscissors on April 27, 2009, 04:53:15 PM

Carnival will tell me to kiss their ass. If its really bad by this weekend they just won't dock and we will circle around offshore from the ports in Mexico. Worst case scenario we circle around at sea and I get about half of my money back.

Check with them if you are worried. I know some airlines have already begun waiving the change fee.

RWS · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2009, 11:16:56 PM »

Quote from: AUJarhead on April 27, 2009, 10:36:03 PM

Check with them if you are worried. I know some airlines have already begun waiving the change fee.

I did, they're not refunding anything at this point. Personally, I would be fine with a 5 day cruise to nowhere. That would mean two less days I would have to hike around in the hot ass Mexican sun. They will still sail, we just won't get to go to any ports and they will refund 35-40% of the cruise price. We paid $1350 for this fucking thing, so getting a little cash back would be OK.

Also, when you really start looking at it, you get nickled and dimed to death with these cruises. You pay $40-$50 for parking, customary $1 per bag tip to the porter, $50 per person gratuity charge. They take a $100 refundable deposit for your Sail and Sign card. THEN you board the ship. You get fisted like The Prowler on a Friday night on any alcoholic drinks. Soft drinks and bottled water aren't much better. I am looking forward to the topless deck, however.

Aubie16 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2009, 07:01:00 AM »

Quote from: runswithscissors on April 27, 2009, 11:16:56 PM

I am looking forward to the topless deck, however.

Carnival eliminated this a few years back. There are still signs that say "adults only deck" but you aren't allowed to be topless anymore

Pell City Tiger · « **Reply #13 on:** April 28, 2009, 07:34:07 PM »

Quote from: townhallsavoy on April 27, 2009, 05:31:32 PM

I'm coughing like crazy and I'm tired. I'm also craving BBQ.

That's 3 of the 5 symptoms. The other 2 are when you squeal when you sneeze and get a hard on when watching a Ned Beatty movie.

RWS · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2009, 08:35:31 PM »

Quote from: Aubie16 on April 28, 2009, 07:01:00 AM

Carnival eliminated this a few years back. There are still signs that say "adults only deck" but you aren't allowed to be topless anymore

In that case, fuck Carnival. Also, fuck Carnival for canceling our stops in Mexico. Supposedly they will schedule a new itenerary such as Jamaica or the Grand Cayman Islands, but they won't tell anybody for sure until after 5 PM EST tomorrow. I know I won't be going to Mexico, but they won't let me know what my options are as far as cancel with refund, reschedule for Mexico, etc until sometime tomorrow. Total bullshit.

AWK · « **Reply #15 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:37:03 PM »

Quote from: runswithscissors on April 28, 2009, 08:35:31 PM

In that case, fuck Carnival. Also, fuck Carnival for canceling our stops in Mexico. Supposedly they will schedule a new itenerary such as Jamaica or the Grand Cayman Islands, but they won't tell anybody for sure until after 5 PM EST tomorrow. I know I won't be going to Mexico, but they won't let me know what my options are as far as cancel with refund, reschedule for Mexico, etc until sometime tomorrow. Total bullshit.

I have been on many a cruises, and let me tell you, Jamaica is 1000 times cooler than Mexico anyways. Also, Grand Cayman sucks...so just hope for Jamaica.

RWS · « **Reply #16 on:** April 28, 2009, 10:16:51 PM »

Quote from: AWK on April 28, 2009, 09:37:03 PM

I have been on many a cruises, and let me tell you, Jamaica is 1000 times cooler than Mexico anyways. Also, Grand Cayman sucks...so just hope for Jamaica.

Well, the Fantasy is out at sea right now and they ended up sending to to Key West. I'll be damned if I go on a cruise to cruise to my own fucking country. I'm hoping that was just an "Oh fuck, we don't have a plan B and we're already out at sea."

AWK · « **Reply #17 on:** April 29, 2009, 12:01:15 AM »

Quote from: runswithscissors on April 28, 2009, 10:16:51 PM

Well, the Fantasy is out at sea right now and they ended up sending to to Key West. I'll be damned if I go on a cruise to cruise to my own fucking country. I'm hoping that was just an "Oh fuck, we don't have a plan B and we're already out at sea."

Eh, this seems like a win win situation. I definitely understand your anger with the situation though. I have been to Key West, and it is a blast. So, I guess glass half full?

RWS · « **Reply #18 on:** April 29, 2009, 01:18:21 PM »

Quote from: AWK on April 29, 2009, 12:01:15 AM

Eh, this seems like a win win situation. I definitely understand your anger with the situation though. I have been to Key West, and it is a blast. So, I guess glass half full?

Yeah, but we can get to Key West and have a damn good time for alot less than $1300 not on a boat. As long as we're going somewhere other than Key West or a 5 day cruise to nowhere, I'm cool with that. As I said before, I'm not going to pay $1300 to get on a boat and sail to my own country, and I'm not going to be stuck on a boat in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico for 5 days either.

Thrilla · « **Reply #19 on:** April 29, 2009, 02:09:23 PM »

Quote from: runswithscissors on April 29, 2009, 01:18:21 PM

Yeah, but we can get to Key West and have a damn good time for alot less than $1300 not on a boat. As long as we're going somewhere other than Key West or a 5 day cruise to nowhere, I'm cool with that. As I said before, I'm not going to pay $1300 to get on a boat and sail to my own country, and I'm not going to be stuck on a boat in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico for 5 days either.

Jesus man, you sure are mad. I would think that any scenery would be better than the port-a-potty and tire swing you're used to looking at from the window of your doublewide.