Swine Flu updates

Twitter has been full of Swine Flu tweets—they're up to 100 per minute, a friend notes.

Here are a few links.

WHO updates:
24 April 2009
Influenza-like illness in the United States and Mexico
25 April 2009
Swine influenza - Statement by WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan
26 April 2009
Swine flu illness in the United States and Mexico - update 2

WHO is not recommending any travel or trade restrictions.

For more information
Thomas Abraham
Communications in English
Mobile: +41 79 516 3136
E-mail: abrahamt@who.int
Fadela Chaib
Communications in English and French
Mobile: +41 79 475 5556
E-mail: chaibf@who.int
Sari Setiogi
Communications in English and Bahasa
Mobile: +41 79 701 9467
E-mail: setiogis@who.int
Gregory Hartl
Communications in English, French, German and Spanish
Mobile: +41 79 203 6715
E-mail: hartlg@who.int
Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
Communications in English, Thai and Hindi
Mobile: +41 79 484 2997
E-mail: bhatiaseviap@who.int

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says (go to that page for some useful links and advice, and also here):

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States. Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection also have been identified internationally. The current U.S. case count is provided below.

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection

State	# of laboratory confirmed cases
California	7 cases
Kansas	2 cases
New York City	8 cases
Ohio	1 case
Texas	2 cases
TOTAL COUNT	20 cases
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection See: World Health Organization
As of April 26, 2009 9:00 AM ET

Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with swine influenza viruses.

Swine Flu FAQS on CBC.ca

A Google Map by Niman


View H1N1 Swine Flu in a larger map
Pink markers are suspect
Purple markers are confirmed
Deaths lack a dot in marker



Tags: Americas / USA / Mexico
Swine Flu, H1N1, Epidemic,

Italian Red Cross Sends Immediate Response to Area Affected by Quake in Italy

Italian Civil Protection is leading the overall response to the Earthquake in Italy, and the Italian Red Cross has activated its national operations center in Legnano, which is coordinating all regional branches for the emergency response. The Italian Red Cross has sent a mobile kitchen which can provide 10,000 meals per day as well as two soup kitchens to respond to the needs of the L'Aquila Hospital. In addition, 36 ambulances, 2 emergency units, 10,000 blankets and 16 dog rescue teams. The orphanage in San Gregorio is being evacuated by the Red Cross who will care for the children.

The Italian Red Cross is seeking donations, which can be made by credit card on its website.

Continuing Coverage on Earthquake in Italy

Continuing coverage of the Earthquake in Italy is available in English at the Rome Post. Coverage in Italian continues at RAI News 24, Corriere Della Serra and at Virgilio Notizie.

Early Video Coverage of the Earthquke in Italy

A number of videos about this morning's Italian Earthquake centered in the medieval fortess hill town of L'Aquila have been uploaded to Daily Motion and can be seen on their website on a page dedicated to coverage of the Equarthquake.

Italy Earthquake Destroys Onna, Damages Roman Baths

Electricity has been cut to 15,000 users in central Italy as a precaution following the eathquake in Central Italy. There are reports of damage to the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. The town of Onna is reported to be completely destroyed.

6.3 Magnitude Quake Rocks Central Italy

Ninety people are reported dead and 50,000 homeless following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake which occurred in central Italy in the early morning hours of April 6, 2009. It is believed that entire towns have been destroyed as a result of the quake which hit at 3:32 am local time. The quake struck 95 km NE of Rome, Italy and 115 miles SE of Perugia, Italy in the Abruzzo region. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has declared a state of emergency for the region, where the worst damage is reported in the picturesque medieval town of L'Aquila which suffered severe damage in earlier earthquakes occurring in 1461 and 1703.