Deadly flu outbreak in Mexico

A deadly flu virus, never before noted, has killed at least 20 persons in Mexico and has now appeared in the United States. Eight people were infected by the H1N1 swine flu virus in the U.S. but have now recovered. The virus found among the U.S. patients, according to the World Health Organization, is the very same that was found in 12 of the Mexican patients. The border between the two countries remains open to tourist and business visitors even during the outbreak and despite increasing concern at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta GA.

According to health officials, the outbreak has not yet reached pandemic levels. However, Mexican authorities are not taking any chances with the virus that has now spread to human-to-human contact. Mexico has cancelled school in the nation’s capital and surrounding districts in an effort to stem the wave of infection. Large public gatherings such as concerts and sporting events have been suspended. Ordinary citizens have taken to wearing surgical masks so as prevent contagion.

Most dead in Mexico were aged between 25 and 45. Seasonal flu can be more deadly among the very young and the very old. However, a characteristic of pandemics is that they affect healthy young adults. According to Mexican Health Minister José Ángel Córdova, Mexico has enough anti-viral meds to fight off the outbreak for now. H1N1 appears to resist older anti-flu meds such as amantadine, while it appears to be susceptible to Roche AG’s Tamiflu, which is also known as osetlamivir. The death rate in Mexico appears to be subsiding over the last two days.

Humans can occasionally catch swine flu from pigs but rarely have they been known to pass it on to other people. Experts at the CDC have concluded that the disease is caused by a chimaera-like combination swine, human and avian viruses. It is an Influenza A type and has characteristics of Asian and European swine flu. The CDC is working on a vaccine.

The CDC has apparently concluded that it is probably too late to contain the outbreak. In an interview, Dr. Richard E. Besser of the CDC said "There are things that we see that suggest that containment is not very likely." However, Besser also said that the "CDC is not recommending any additional recommendations for travelers to California, Texas and Mexico." Seasonal flu kills between 250,000 and 500,000 people in an average year. The White House is monitoring the situation.

Mexico has cautioned the public not to shake hands or kiss or to share food, glasses or cutlery. Flu virus can be spread on the hands, and handwashing is one of the most important ways to prevent its spread.

People infected with the virus initially suffer flu-like symptoms that include:

Fever.
Cough.
Sore throat.
Muscle and joint pain.
Shortness of breath.

The illness may elevate to a severe respiratory illness within about five days.

Info: JAMA  http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/301/10/1034

Infections With Oseltamivir-Resistant Influenza A(H1N1) Virus in the United States
Nila J. Dharan, MD; Larisa V. Gubareva, PhD; John J. Meyer, MPH; Margaret Okomo-Adhiambo, PhD; Reginald C. McClinton, MPH; Steven A. Marshall, MS; Kirsten St. George, MAppSc, PhD; Scott Epperson, MPH; Lynnette Brammer, MPH; Alexander I. Klimov, PhD; Joseph S. Bresee, MD; Alicia M. Fry, MD, MPH; for the Oseltamivir-Resistance Working Group. JAMA. 2009;301(10):1034-1041. Published online March 2, 2009 (doi:10.1001/jama.2009.294).