Swine flu cases..hits 300

[mantra.]

Cause it's flu season Mantra. The flu prefers cooler weather.

I'll accept Sappho's response with a little reluctance because it isn't that cold here, although a few people have caught the "ordinary" flu. There must be still parts of Europe and the US which are colder than us at the moment - and they haven't got the number of cases we have. What's the difference between swine flu and an ordinary flu - nothing. How do we know it's even swine flu or maybe we're being told porkies. The experts say it will affect us more than other flu's because our bodies have no immunity to it. Since when does anyone have immunity to a virus especially the "common" flu?

It sounds to me as though it's a hoax by the drug companies for a boost to their profits. The US is investing $1 billion into CSL and the Australian government is buying approx. $50 million worth of vaccine. Although CSL is classified as an Australian public company - it would be interesting to see who the major shareholders are.

Batches of vaccine should start rolling out of CSL's Melbourne drug production facilities from late July, CSL Biotherapies general manager Mary Sontrop said.

The announcement comes after the US government placed a $US180 million ($232 million) order for a CSL-made swine flu vaccine, and the federal government said it would obtain enough doses to provide cover for ten million Australians.

"CSL's partnership with the Australian and US governments to address the serious threat to public health that the A(H1N1) virus represents, is confirmation that we are a leader in the global influenza vaccines market," Ms Sonstrop said in a statement on Friday.

[Jovial Monk]

If you want to find out who the major shareholders are just write to CSL--they have to disclose that as a public listed company. You can also ask for their annual reports.

[Jovial Monk]

A lot of swine flu cases in the US and it ain't winter there, high summer.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm

I think I will get a flu shot next year!

[Hebe]

Bracing ourselves down here too.

SWINE flu fears are escalating and school closures are looming as thousands of children return to classes tomorrow.
Tasmanian authorities have warned that within days schools could be forced to shut because of flu outbreaks, consigning hundreds of students to isolation.

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/20 ... -news.html

Of course a lot of these kids will come into the library, but have we put anything in place to protect ourselves or them? No we have not.

Our infection control centre at home (aka the bathroom) is all set up though.

[Auzgurl]

We are having a flue shots this week sounds a bit over the top perhaps as we are very healthy but it cant hurt.
Swine flue is already on the West Coast..apparently 3 Aboriginal kids on the homelands just out of our town have already been diagnosed..so its most likely already in town..this is a very busy tourist town so we were never going to escape it.

My plan of action is "hope for the best"..and the usual precautions as well as vitamins..its a very cold winter and its going to spread very quickly.
I have sore throat

[Hebe]

Wash your hands and don't breathe.

[Auzgurl]

sounds good to me

[Jovial Monk]

And I am vulnerable to some extent, at the mercy of people who come in and cough, splutter and sneeze.

[Auzgurl]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/827 ... -australia


A 26 year old man from Western Australia

[Jovial Monk]

True. Suffering from lots of different medical problems tho, may not have been the swine flu did him in.