Swine Flu in Idaho (Boise, Pocatello: 2010, luxury, to live)

[Mtn. States Resident]

The CDC stats released on 6/19/09. Of course they are out-of-date, given the deaths yesterday and today.

CDC H1N1 Flu | CDC H1N1 Flu Update: U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection

Just remember the CDC is doing the best that they can. States like UT (and I have heard NY, although I can't find documentation of NY), aren't counting new cases for about 2 weeks.

As you research this on the Internet, especially if you have to travel, think about where you are going and how to protect yourself and others who may be with you.

Many thanks to Torrie for bringing up the Brazilian point. Wow, is that going to be a hot potato. Guess potato is the right word to use for Idaho.

The CDC renounced it early on Friday, but already the Internet had 100s if not 1000s of references to the Mutated A/H1N1 found in samples, from a man in Brazil who recovered from A/H1N1. Until the CDC can get samples and replicate as closely as possible the situation, I don't look for them to support what the scientists in Brazil have found.

What do you think?

Take care everyone and thank you to so many of you for your support of me, in ways unique to each of you. Thanks - it means a lot, especially right now.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Wow, maybe some media are actually going to follow this story. Perhaps the media in souther ID and southeastern ID will first, given their likelihood of having personally been in the SLC area is greater than those in NID and elsewhere.

Still, I'm reminded of the wisdom pimit2 shared writing something like this: It use to be that tourists only brought their dollars. Now, who knows what (bugs/viruses) they are bringing with them to our communities. So true.

So from KIFI in Idaho Falls, this was actually a headline worth watching:

"Swine Flu fears prompt quarantine at Utah Prison,"

Swine flu fears prompt quarantine at Utah prison - KIFI - Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Jackson WY - Weather News Sports-

Even though is as an AP headline, at least more of the television stations are paying closer attention to the news.

Institutional populations, which include prisons (they have a similar issue in NY state), state hospitals for the mentally ill, or facilities for DD/MR patients and others all have special guidelines from CDC. These are high risk groups to get a easily spread virus, given their close quarters.

Here's a different report of the same story: Utah prisoners under quarantine for H1N1 test

Utah prisoners under quarantine for H1N1 test - Salt Lake Tribune

What concerns me more now, is the fact Mexic0 is starting to report newly infected cases. There are some scientists/health care providers who don't think we'll get rid of A/H1N1 in 2009.

Be as prepared as you can be, as you never know which one of your neighbors, family members or other people may need supplies you've stored, if you don't use them for yourself or family.


Take Care,
MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Just like patients with other illnesses, the MDA patients look forward to summer camp. Given outbreaks in MN, PA and UT, many of the national camps will close for the season:

Swine flu strikes 10 at Minn. camp for kids with muscular dystrophy

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

This is an interesting article the L.A. Times printed this week. It's about the H1N1 Infection Rate in Healthcare workers and projections.

I've seen some of these controversie very up close an personal. Some in the nursing/medical community think they are super-resitant and can't get anything. Others want to take protective medicine so they can continue to work and not infect their families or friends etc. There are certainly different opinions about what is right to do.

It's a no brainer for me, but I admit I have been dumbfounded at the # of physicians who don't think at risk patients need treated. Still others will treat an entire family when one person in a family tests positive.

Think about who you would see and who would care for you, if the projected number of healthcare workers were infected and couldn't work.

Stay well and prepared....

MSR

81 U.S. healthcare workers have H1N1 virus - Los Angeles Times

[Mtn. States Resident]

Veterinarians are adding their observations, data and knowledge about
A/H1N1. Read the article and see what you think about their theory, still in the testing phase, of A/H1N1 being years coming together and NOT originating in Mexico.

www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/health/24flu.html?hp

Take care of yourselves.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

UT hasn't released data yet about the # of new hospitalized cases and deaths. Having had church services canceled, special kids camps closing for the season and so much travel between ID and UT, these numbers are important.

Meanwhile, if you are thinking of traveling, you might want to check national databases of outbreaks where you plan to go. Remember, some states like UT stopped counting new community cases and are only confirming hospitalized patients and deaths. This is a good link for both the U.S. and world, since there are now more than 90 countries with confirmed A/H1N1 + patients. Some countries, such as China, are quaranting patients if anyone on flights have fevers etc. Please search for info about the destination where you will be going, if you are traveling.

Click the upper right side to have the map change to the world view.

Map: Swine flu cases in the U.S. - Swine flu - MSNBC.com

I hope this helps you think about how to prepare for travel and any precautions you may want to utilize in certain areas.

If you travel, please check local conditions for that area for you to be as safe as possible.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

A few of us have been waiting for info today from the Utah DOH. As I thought, they would release this as late as they possibly could in the day and still allow some news coverage.

The best news is only two new deaths to report. Except the patient who died being a child in Davis County (between Salt Lake City and essentially Ogden), and the other a person basically of college age, in Utah County, home of BYU, I don't personally consider those demographic factors good news.

These are the best, most comprehensive articles I could find. Clearly, the Trib posted earlier with less detail. The Desert News has far more in depth detail. Both mention the slight decrease in infection at certain Urgent Care clinics, although I find it more than fascinating that IHC's InstaCare's were not mentioned in either, given how many InstaCare's there are in UT.

While I'm not disputing and am happy the University's 10 clinics, the CHC's clinics and why in the world Olympus Clinic was added (A private practice in a wealthier area of Salt Lake County), makes no sense to me. However, I didn't write the articles. If I did, I'd be in touch with the Urgent Cares in West and South Jordan as well as Layton and other areas of Davis County where church services were cancelled for thousands of people this past weekend.

Unfortunately, thinking very quickly about this, the clinics mentioned in the news articles would only have the U. South Jordan Clinic, ???? for CHC to cover the area - maybe Midvale, and no IHC or specific other Urgent Care Clinics, or other E.R.'s, were quoted. Perhaps the clinics/ER's didn't want quoted, I don't know. However, for anyone not familiar with Utah's highly capitated medical care, it isn't a true representation to only mention the clinics mentioned. It is a skewed sample away from the worst "hotspots."

Anyway, look at the info for yourself and think of where you have visited. I have to say I agree with some of the comments that have been posted in the various articles in the Trib and Des News, with people begging for more details. If your kids go to an 80,000 kid school district, it makes a lot of difference if it was YOUR elementary school that had an outbreak or one five miles away.

Precautions should always be taken IHMO, but when specific churches are notifying members in there area that church is cancelled, that is quite specific of where a great majority of active infections are currently.

Deseret News | 2 more Utahns die from H1N1 flu

and

http://www.sltrib.com/portlet/articl...645&siteId=297

Please note 81 more were hospitalized this past week and remember, UT stopped counting community cases weeks ago.

Tale care, prepare and be aware -

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Idaho is making some headlines now about A/H1N1. Mostly, patients have been cared for without much media attention. Perhaps that would be the case here as well, IF it weren't Blaine County, as in Ketchum/Sun Valley.

Or, perhaps its just good epidemiology to start putting out info.

From the Idaho Mtn. Express (read this while you can, it is only online 7 days).

IDAHO MOUNTAIN EXPRESS: Updated and breaking news

I love the portion that says,

" 'The meeting of the county's emergency planning committee will be held in Hailey at 2 p.m. County officials decided to hold the meeting after learning of the local cases of the new strain of flu.'

" 'We're meeting to discuss pandemic flu planning," Blaine County Commissioner Larry Schoen said this morning.'

" Schoen said the meeting will hopefully clarify the status of the swine flu in the county. He said the county wants to be proactive in terms of making sure the correct information reaches the public."

" 'Otherwise, rumors fill the void,' " he said."

With all due respect, I'm sure the Blaine County Commissioners want to do the right thing for all involved. Being pro-active, well I guess it is better to finally start doing something than pretend this virus isn't going to spread into ID and infect more.

If others have information about this southern ID county and not naming names, or demographic details too close about the two patients, please post the details. Such as, have they been traveling in Mexico, CA or UT recently?

With OR experiencing a second death today, I'm watching the rest of the west coast to see what happens in the northwest. The hot weather in UT should actually help slow A/H1N1 down in that state. Not sure OR and WA will share the same results. As far as we know, A/H1N1 does "breed" as they say, in large populations, gatherings and in cooler temps.

What do you think?

Take care, prepare and stay aware.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Montana is reporting more cases of confirmed A/H1N1 closer to the Idaho border. Since Gallatin Co. is where Big Sky and Bozeman are located (along with several other smaller towns and second homes/rentals), potentially visitors to Yellowstone National Park (YNP) may be exposed.

Yes, cleosmom, it is time for me to post in the travel section of CDF. With the story suspecting the Dillon man probably was exposed to A/H1N1 in UT, it's time to think beyond Idaho. Thanks again for the suggestion, as I didn't know there was a travel section on CDF. I'll work on getting info there or referring people to this thread.

First case of H1N1 confirmed in Beaverhead County - Montana's News Station - Fair. Accurate. To the Point. -

Take care, prepare and be aware .......oh A/H1N1 in neighboring states.

MSR

[Torrie]

This is interesting... would love your take on this MSR; just when you have time, I know you're extremely busy.

Swine flu made in USA