Posted by
Gabrielle Cusumano on Sunday, April 26, 2009 8:50:12 PM
Sunday, April 26, 2009
On guard: Masked police officers in Mexico, where more than 80 people are believed to have been killed by H1N1 swine flu
The sudden rise of swine flu may trigger a pandemic that could wipe out 120million people, an expert has warned. More than 80 people are now thought to have died as the first scare hit Britain.
The death toll of the H1N1 virus could reach 50million – as high as the Spanish Flu of 1918, according according to John McCauley, of the National Institute For Medical Research. 'If you were going to have a pandemic this is how it would start. It emerges suddenly and infects a lot of people. It doesn't look good but it's an emerging situation.'
He claimed the virus – a contagious respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza – is much more similar to the Spanish Flu than the feared H5N1 bird flu. 'It could be a similar death rate to back in 1918,' he said.
Nigel Dimmock, Emeritus professor of Warwick university, warned that if the virus spreads around the world it could have a more lethal impact than in 1918 – and wipe out 120 million people.
'I am worried but you don't want to panic too much – it may go away,' he added.
'We have to hope for the best and plan for the worst.' More than 80 people are now thought to have died as the first scare hit Britain.
All the deaths have been in Mexico but the infection is suspected of spreading to the US, Europe and even as far afield as New Zealand. Two people were admitted to a Scottish hospital as a precaution after they reported feeling unwell following a trip to Mexico.
Around the globe, countries were planning quarantine measures, to tighten rules on pork imports and to screen air passengers for fever. The World Health Organisation declared the outbreak, which some experts claimed might develop into a pandemic that could kill 120million people, a 'public health event of international concern'.
In Mexico, up to 1,300 people were suspected of having the virus although two-thirds were given the all-clear. There have been 20 confirmed deaths but the toll could be as high as 81. Schools, museums, libraries and theatres have been closed to try to contain the outbreak. In the US, there have been 20 cases in New York, Ohio, Kansas, Texas and California.
Officials, fearful of the infection spreading, have declared a public emergency so they can prepare their response to the threat. In New Zealand, ten children who returned from a school trip to Mexico were 'highly likely' to have the infection. Israel has one suspected case, France four, Spain three and Canada six. Experts have said the virus appeared to have a death rate of two per cent.
Obama Golfing Pics
"If you were going to have a pandemic this is how it would start. It emerges suddenly and infects a lot of people. It doesn't look good but it's an emerging situation." John McCauley, of the National Institute For Medical Research.
"The death toll of the H1N1 virus could reach 50million – as high as the Spanish Flu of 1918," according to John McCauley, of the National Institute For Medical Research. _
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'It could be a similar death rate to back in 1918,' according to John McCauley, of the National Institute For Medical Research.
Obama Lacks a Team As Pandemic Concerns Grow
The Obama administration declared a "public health emergency" Sunday to confront the swine flu — but is heading into its first medical outbreak without: - No Secretary of Health and Human Services or appointees in any of the department’s 19 key posts. - No surgeon general - No head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, his choice to run the Food and Drug Administration awaits confirmation. Obama was caught off guard by the emergence of this virus and many decisions that should have been made have not as a result of no leadership in the departments...
"Schools, museums, libraries and theatres have been closed to try to contain the outbreak. In the US, there have been 20 cases in New York, Ohio, Kansas, Texas and California. "
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OBAMA GREETED IN MEXICO BY MAN WHO DIED DAYS LATER OF FLU SYMPTOMS...
April 25 | Drudge
Dies director National Museum of Anthropology, Felipe Solis Olguin
El arqueólogo, curador, académico y experto en la cultura mexica fue víctima de un paro cardiaco.
Archaeologist, curator, scholar and expert on Mexican culture was the victim of a heart attack.
Notimex Notimex
Publicado: 23/04/2009 18:31 Posted: 23/04/2009 18:31
Museum Director with Aztec Sculpture
Felipe Solis Olguin, the director for the Museo Nacional de Antropologia in Mexico City, stands before a large Aztec sculpture
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George W. Bush: "I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal"
Q Mr. President, you haven’t been golfing in recent years. Is that related to Iraq?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, it really is. I don’t want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the Commander-in-Chief playing golf. I feel I owe it to the families to be as – to be in solidarity as best as I can with them. And I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal.
Q Mr. President, was there a particular moment or incident that brought you to that decision, or how did you come to that?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I remember when de Mello, who was at the U.N., got killed in Baghdad as a result of these murderers taking this good man’s life. And I was playing golf – I think I was in central Texas– and they pulled me off the golf course and I said, it’s just not worth it anymore to do.