Swine flu epidemic: An MNN roundup
Wed, Aug 26 2009 at 1:47 PM EST
What you need to know about swine flu:
• Another reason to give thanks: Protection for Americans from swine flu might not be complete until Thanksgiving.
• CDC weighs in: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts numb
• Dire predictions: WHO predicts an "explosion" of cases, especially in developing countries.
• Swine flu switcheroo: Scientists now say school-age children and their parents should get vaccinated to prevent flu's spread.
• Enough vaccine? A logjam at the factory will mean less flu shots available in October.
• Schools closed: Mumbai closes schools and movie theaters over virus fears.
• Military cases: Cases of swine flu climb among U.S. soldiers in Iraq.
• Head of state: Costa Rican president contracts swine flu.
• Schools: CDC advises school administrators to stay calm and keep the school doors open.
• Death toll: WHO says swine flu death toll has surpassed 1,100.
• Who needs shots? Pregnant women, health workers and small children should be at the front of the line for H1N1 vaccinations.
• Fear factor: Timely new book called Dread exposes the fear and fantasy that fuel epidemics.
• Pork panic: The CDC says it's safe to eat pork, but there is a "global hesitation" to eat it.
• Passive surveillance: The U.S. is prepared for a pandemic, but government officials say they will continue on this path for now.
• Ground zero? Hundreds of residents living near a huge hog farm in Mexico say the flu began there in February.
• Travel advisories: Business travelers should consider postponing all non-essential travel. (April 27)
• Border monitoring: The U.S. is screening for swine flu exposure along its borders, according to the CDC.
• Are your kids safe? What parents need to know.
• Getting information: CDC uses Twitter to quickly share information with the public.
• Quarantine and pork ban: Nations report suspected cases, plan quarantines, tighten rules on pork imports and test passengers.
• The causes: Is the epidemic linked to water pollution from a Smithfield Foods hog operation in Perote, Mexico?
• The pork connection: Can you get swine flu from eating pork? The CDC answers this and other frequently asked questions.
• Death toll: Deaths in Mexico signal the possibility of a global epidemic.
Photo: ZUMA Press
