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First take a look at the H1N1 Swine Flu Google Map - that in the course of a day showed additional cases being detected in New York, New Zealand and France apart from the existing cases reported in Mexico, Texas, California and Kansas. (h/t AllergyNotes & Laikas)

[at 4 PM IST April 26, 2009]

The rate and range of spread is quite scary.

Some related links and excerpts from blogs and websites.

via BBC: Mexico flu sparks worldwide fear.

Mexican authorities have taken drastic measures to contain a new strain of the swine flu virus that has killed 81 and prompted fears of a global pandemic. People are being urged to stay at home and maintain strict personal hygiene. Many schools, public buildings, bars and restaurants have been closed. Non-fatal cases have been confirmed in the US and are likely in New Zealand. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that at least some of the cases are a new strain of the virus. H1N1 is the same strain that causes seasonal flu outbreaks in humans, but the newly detected version contains genetic material from versions of flu which usually affect pigs and birds. The respiratory virus - which infects pigs but only sporadically humans - is spread mainly through coughs and sneezes. The WHO has warned the virus has the potential to become a pandemic.

Although all of the deaths so far have been in Mexico, the flu is spreading in the United States and suspected cases have been detected elsewhere:

• 11 confirmed infections in the US
• In addition, 8 suspected cases are being investigated at a New York City high school where about 200 students fell mildly ill with flu-like symptoms
• 10 New Zealand students are among a group which travelled to Mexico have tested positive for influenza A - making it “likely”, though not definite, that they are infected with swine flu, said Health Minister Tony Ryall
• In France, a top health official told Le Parisien newspaper there were unconfirmed suspicions that 2 individuals who had just returned from Mexico may be carrying the virus
• But a UK hospital conducting tests for swine flu on a British Airways cabin crew member said the tests proved negative.

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via Sciencebase Science Blog: Swine Flu.

Forget avian influenza, it is swine flu that could ravage the world as Mexicans are warned not to shake hands in church and have been told to keep at least six feet of separation between each other, and to wear protective masks. Large public gatherings, such as sporting events and concerts, have been banned and schools closed. As I’ve discussed previously on Sciencebase, there are countless latent diseases in hosts as rodents, birds, and cattle lying ready and willing to make the species leap to humans and decimate our populations. Whereas for the last ten years or so bird flu has been the focus of much research it was always more likely that a potentially lethal strain of virus would emerge from another species and not necessarily in Asia. Now, swine flu is on the rise in Mexico and already taking the first inroads into the USA just across the border. It’s already killed more than 80 people and made hundreds ill. While some observers are suggesting serious caution others are advising that there is no reason for real concern yet. We are not quite at the danger levels of the worldwide SARS epidemic.

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via CDC: Swine Flu.

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses has been documented. See General Information about Swine Flu.

From December 2005 through February 2009, a total of 12 human infections with swine influenza were reported from 10 states in the United States. Since March 2009, a number of confirmed human cases of a new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in California, Texas, and Mexico have been identified. An investigation into these cases is ongoing. For more information see Human Swine Flu Investigation.

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via Reuters: Asia moves to ward off new flu virus.

Asia, a continent that has battled deadly viruses such as the H5N1 bird flu and SARS in recent years, began taking steps over the weekend to ward off a new flu virus. The swine flu virus has killed up to 81 people in Mexico and infected 11 others in the United States. More than 1,300 are believed to be infected in Mexico.

There article continues on to give some details on how Asian countries are responding to the crisis. The countries listed are China, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, The Philippines, Malaysia and Bangladesh.

There is no mention of any Indian initiative to ward off or prepare for what appears to be an alarming global crisis.

A look at the top Indian stories on Google News at 5:30 PM IST on April 26, 2009 showed no mention of swine flu. The news is all about our ongoing elections.

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