Asia steps up precautions against swine flu

Here is an article from a Taiwanese newspaper.
On the paper at least, this disease seems to be more dangerous than
SARS or the avian flu. And its spreading is alarmlingly fast... if the
news is true.

:-o
Mort
-
Asia steps up precautions against swine flu

Asian health officials went on alert yesterday as a flu strain that
has killed up to 81 people in Mexico appeared to have spread to New
Zealand, underscoring warnings of a potential pandemic.

Governments across the region, which has in recent years been at the
forefront of the SARS and bird flu epidemics, stepped up checks at
airports and urged the public to be on guard for symptoms of the new
multi-strain flu.

Mexicans took new precautions yesterday amid fears that the flu
epidemic could reach "pandemic" proportions. Mexican Health Minister
Jose Angel Cordova raised the probable death toll from the new
multi-strain swine flu in Mexico to 81, including 20 already
confirmed. Earlier, Mexican President Felipe Calderon published an
order giving his government extraordinary powers to tackle the deadly
outbreak, as at least two new cases were reported in the US, bringing
the total infected there to 10.

"This virus has clearly a pandemic potential," WHO Director General
Margaret Chan (????) said on Saturday. The Geneva-based UN agency
branded the outbreak “a public health emergency of international
concern,- following a meeting of its emergency committee. In a
statement it said it was recommending that all nations "intensify
surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and
severe pneumonia."

In Taipei, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued an outbreak
notice listing Mexico’s alert level "epidemic". California and Texas
in the US were listed as "limited clustering areas.
"The priority is to prohibit the disease from entering the country,"
Centers for Disease Control Deputy Director Shih Wen-yi (???) said.
"Visitors from Mexico and the United States, including homecoming
Taiwanese, found to have fever and flu symptoms will be sent to
special hospitals for isolation, pending virus inspection," Shih said.

The centers have also notified airlines to pay special attention to
passengers’ health. It said it is keeping a close watch on the
situation through the WHO. Officials warned those traveling to the US
and Mexico to take special precautions by frequently washing their
hands, wearing face masks and avoiding coming into contact with people
who appear to be sick. If symptoms such as diarrhea fever, coughing or
body aches occur, consult a doctor immediately.

(...)In Wellington, New Zealand Health Minister Tony Ryall said 10
teenagers who had recently traveled to Mexico have tested positive for
influenza and are "likely" to have contracted swine flu. Ryall said
samples from the infected students had been sent to a WHO laboratory
in Melbourne to determine whether they had contracted H1N1 swine
influenza. They already tested positive for influenza A, of which
swine flu is a sub-set.

whole article at:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/fron.../27/2003442158

On Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:36:58 GMT, (Magnus) wrote:
....
whole article at:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/fron.../27/2003442158

Here is the last report from Associated Press that proves a growing
concern that may affect travellers.
I just put here the excerpt about Asia. The reaction is not based on
actual facts but when you think of the number of pigs wandering in
some Asian countries, one could understand these safety rules.

Mort

Swine flu prompts EU warning on travel to US
by Daniel WOOLLS

"...Governments in Asia - with potent memories of SARS and avian flu
outbreaks - heeded the warning amid global fears of a pandemic.

Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines dusted off
thermal scanners used during the 2003 SARS crisis and were checking
for signs of fever among passengers arriving from North America. South
Korea and Indonesia introduced similar screening.

In Malaysia, health workers in face masks took the temperatures of
passengers as they arrived on a flight from Los Angeles.

Russia, Hong Kong and Taiwan said visitors returning from flu-affected
areas with fevers would be quarantined.

Australian Health Minister Nicola Roxon said pilots on international
flights would be required to file a report noting any flu-like
symptoms among passengers before being allowed to land in Australia.

China said anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms within two weeks of
arrival had to report to authorities.

India will start screening people arriving from Mexico, the United
States, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, Britain and France for flu-like
symptoms, said Vineet Chawdhry, a top Health Ministry official. It
also will contact people who have arrived from Mexico and other
affected countries in the past 10 days to check for the symptoms, he
said.

Some officials cautioned that the checks might not be enough.
The virus could move between people before any symptoms show up, said
John Simon, a scientific adviser to Hong Kong's Center for Health
Protection.

Thomas Tsang, controller for Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection,
said the government and universities aim to develop a test for the new
flu strain in a week or two that will return results in four to six
hours, compared with existing tests that can take 2-3 days.

China and Russia banned imports of pork and pork products from Mexico
and three U.S. states that have reported cases of swine flu, and other
governments were increasing their screening of pork imports.
Indonesia, which was hit hardest by bird flu, said it was banning all
pork imports.

whole article at:
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090427/ap_on_he_me/swine_flu_world

Originally Posted by Magnus[_2_]

On Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:36:58 GMT, (Magnus) wrote:
....
whole article at:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/fron.../27/2003442158

Here is the last report from Associated Press that proves a growing
concern that may affect travellers.
I just put here the excerpt about Asia. The reaction is not based on
actual facts but when you think of the number of pigs wandering in
some Asian countries, one could understand these safety rules.

Mort

Swine flu prompts EU warning on travel to US
by Daniel WOOLLS

"...Governments in Asia - with potent memories of SARS and avian flu
outbreaks - heeded the warning amid global fears of a pandemic.

Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines dusted off
thermal scanners used during the 2003 SARS crisis and were checking
for signs of fever among passengers arriving from North America. South
Korea and Indonesia introduced similar screening.

In Malaysia, health workers in face masks took the temperatures of
passengers as they arrived on a flight from Los Angeles.

Russia, Hong Kong and Taiwan said visitors returning from flu-affected
areas with fevers would be quarantined.

Australian Health Minister Nicola Roxon said pilots on international
flights would be required to file a report noting any flu-like
symptoms among passengers before being allowed to land in Australia.

China said anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms within two weeks of
arrival had to report to authorities.

India will start screening people arriving from Mexico, the United
States, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, Britain and France for flu-like
symptoms, said Vineet Chawdhry, a top Health Ministry official. It
also will contact people who have arrived from Mexico and other
affected countries in the past 10 days to check for the symptoms, he
said.

Some officials cautioned that the checks might not be enough.
The virus could move between people before any symptoms show up, said
John Simon, a scientific adviser to Hong Kong's Center for Health
Protection.

Thomas Tsang, controller for Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection,
said the government and universities aim to develop a test for the new
flu strain in a week or two that will return results in four to six
hours, compared with existing tests that can take 2-3 days.

China and Russia banned imports of pork and pork products from Mexico
and three U.S. states that have reported cases of swine flu, and other
governments were increasing their screening of pork imports.
Indonesia, which was hit hardest by bird flu, said it was banning all
pork imports.

whole article at:
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090427/ap_on_he_me/swine_flu_world

I think its really needed ... its the time to be aptly prepared.