Why We Prep - Swine Flu!

UPDATE 02 May 09:

Continuing to monitor the global situation - here are a couple of alternative flu tracking maps that are providing great up-to-date information:

FluTracker

One of my favorites:

RSOE EDIS - Pandemic Monitor

UPDATE 28 Apr 09:

AP: Swine Flu's Ground Zero? - article mentions first new illnesses back in Feb 2009

Good Forum Post on buying preventative masks from Survival Forum

CDC Daily Update

Bloomberg: Flu Spreads to Hundreds in New York

Reuters: New Swine Flu Infections Intensify Travel Fears

Texas Dept of State Health - Guidelines for First Responders

UPDATE 26 Apr 09:

CDC Swine Flu - What's New

Excellent source of historical tracking and information: Biosurveillance

Talk Back: BBC - Real Accounts from healthcare and others with first-hand knowledge in Mexico describe what they have experienced / seen.

Keep in mind that the CDC website states that they only confirm illness/death on this new strain if they have received confirmation of the strain from a CDC laboratory.

UPDATE 25 Apr 09: Track cases via Google Map - H1N1 Swine Flu

By now most of you have probably heard about the 1000 people sick in Mexico with a new, never before seen version of swine flu. At least 20 deaths in Mexico have been attributed to this new strain. While there have been 7 reported cases in the US (San Antonio, TX and San Diego, CA), the people in the US have recovered.

The reason there is growing concern about this at the Centers For Disease Control and the World Health Organization is that this particularly nasty strain is hitting otherwise normal, healthy people - in Mexico those with this illness are sometimes on a respirator within 48-hours of becoming ill. Also, this particular strain is a combination of swine, avian (bird) and human influenza and is a strain that has never before been seen in man or swine - this is something that definitely bears our very close attention.

We can assume that the mainstream media is downplaying this at this point to prevent panic, but as "preppers" this is one of the many things are / should be prepared for.

If this turns into a full-fledged pandemic it will be good to know that we can stay at home and have everything we need for several weeks without having to go out in the general public.

Here's a late story from today about the virus so far:

Tonight, from Reuters:

WASHINGTON, April 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday it was too late to contain the swine flu outbreak in the United States.

CDC acting director Dr. Richard Besser told reporters in a telephone briefing it was likely too late to try to contain the outbreak, by vaccinating, treating or isolating people.

"There are things that we see that suggest that containment is not very likely," he said.

Others:

Reuter's - Deadly New Flu Strain Erupts in Mexico

Here's some information on Swine Flu from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Here's the CDC page where they are Investigating Human Outbreaks

From the World Health Organization - Mexico apparently had cases under surveillance as early as 18 March 2009

Prevention Guidelines from the CDC are at the link.

You might want to consider stocking up on some Vitamin C, masks (N-95 particulate one), fever reducer (tylenol), gloves, over-the-counter and/or homeopathic flu relief medications, bleach and/or other disinfectants for washing clothing, bedding, mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms.

This is also a good time to make sure you have your food and water preps in order just in case you find yourself needing to stay at home for an extended period of time.

Pay attention to this one everyone.