Tweet
Thanks yet again, Mexico. 
The sonsof*****es are an ongoing plague of one kind or another.
Mexico City residents are wearing surgical masks to slow the spread. Lovely.
The sonsof*****es are an ongoing plague of one kind or another.Mexico City residents are wearing surgical masks to slow the spread. Lovely.
06:00 PM CDT on Friday, April 24, 2009
By JANET ST. JAMES / WFAA-TV
Swine Flu Outbreak
DALLAS — U.S. health authorities monitoring an outbreak of swine flu increased the number of confirmed cases on Friday to eight, including a 10-year-old boy who visited North Texas earlier this month.
That child — along with five others from Imperial County, California and two San Antonio residents — have all recovered.
But News 8 has learned that the cases in Texas might be linked to a large and frighening outbreak in Mexico. With Texas and California bordering Mexico travel commonplace among all three, health authorites strongly suspect a connection.
At a news conference in Atlanta Friday afternoon, Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control, called this the early stages of an outbreak. "Our concern has grown since yesterday in light of what we've learned since then," he said.
CDC authorities are looking south to disturbing cases of swine flu in Mexico. In Mexico City, public schools closed Friday after as many as 60 people are suspected to have died from a new strain of the swine flu. About 1,000 others are confirmed ill.
The World Health Organization also considering raising the pandemic threat level.
Dr. John Carlo, medical director at Dallas County Health and Human Services, urged the public to remain calm. "At this time, the situation does not seem to have any increased risk for our community locally," he said.
But Dr. Carlo confirmed that his agency has been investigating a local case of swine flu, a 10-year-old San Diego boy who was vacationing in North Texas. Investigators said the boy arrived on April 3 and has been in the Dallas area for weeks, but he is now fully recovered.
Relatives have tested negative for swine flu, but doctors are being urged to test anyone with symptoms of a respiratory virus.
Type B influenza will rule patients out for the swine flu. A positive for the Type A strain should automatically be referred to the local health department.
"We're certainly goint to be watchful for potential characteristics that might have things change, but again, right now there's no additional risks to the public's health," Dr. Carlo said.
The CDC is issuing an "outbreak alert" for travelers headed to central Mexico and Mexico City, but travel is not being restricted.
Because Texas is a border state, people coming and going from Mexico need to be aware of swine flu symptoms, which are similar to seasonal flu:
• fever
• lethargy
• lack of appetite
• coughing
Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, federal health officials said.
If you or someone you know develops these symptons, consult a doctor immediately.
By JANET ST. JAMES / WFAA-TV
Swine Flu Outbreak
DALLAS — U.S. health authorities monitoring an outbreak of swine flu increased the number of confirmed cases on Friday to eight, including a 10-year-old boy who visited North Texas earlier this month.
That child — along with five others from Imperial County, California and two San Antonio residents — have all recovered.
But News 8 has learned that the cases in Texas might be linked to a large and frighening outbreak in Mexico. With Texas and California bordering Mexico travel commonplace among all three, health authorites strongly suspect a connection.
At a news conference in Atlanta Friday afternoon, Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control, called this the early stages of an outbreak. "Our concern has grown since yesterday in light of what we've learned since then," he said.
CDC authorities are looking south to disturbing cases of swine flu in Mexico. In Mexico City, public schools closed Friday after as many as 60 people are suspected to have died from a new strain of the swine flu. About 1,000 others are confirmed ill.
The World Health Organization also considering raising the pandemic threat level.
Dr. John Carlo, medical director at Dallas County Health and Human Services, urged the public to remain calm. "At this time, the situation does not seem to have any increased risk for our community locally," he said.
But Dr. Carlo confirmed that his agency has been investigating a local case of swine flu, a 10-year-old San Diego boy who was vacationing in North Texas. Investigators said the boy arrived on April 3 and has been in the Dallas area for weeks, but he is now fully recovered.
Relatives have tested negative for swine flu, but doctors are being urged to test anyone with symptoms of a respiratory virus.
Type B influenza will rule patients out for the swine flu. A positive for the Type A strain should automatically be referred to the local health department.
"We're certainly goint to be watchful for potential characteristics that might have things change, but again, right now there's no additional risks to the public's health," Dr. Carlo said.
The CDC is issuing an "outbreak alert" for travelers headed to central Mexico and Mexico City, but travel is not being restricted.
Because Texas is a border state, people coming and going from Mexico need to be aware of swine flu symptoms, which are similar to seasonal flu:
• fever
• lethargy
• lack of appetite
• coughing
Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, federal health officials said.
If you or someone you know develops these symptons, consult a doctor immediately.
)
Comment