Kids at home: Preparing for the Swine flu upsurge
Health authorities and politicians alike, have been divided over the issue of whether or not to keep school children at home this coming autumn. It is a well known fact that children are flu super-spreaders and in this particular H1N1 pandemic, the 5 to 16 age bracket has been hit hard by the virus. (See KIMBERLY-CLARK CHILD’S FACE MASK
Of course, there is the economic factor to take into consideration and the effect pulling out children from schools will have on parents in the health care industry. What we know so far, is that the H1N1 virus has mostly impacted its victims in a mild manner, is very contagious and is spreading so fast that the world Health Organisation has stopped counting. Best of all, is the fact the virus has not shown any signs of mutating into a nastier version that could exact a heavier toll.
However, health experts are very quick to remind us that as with past pandemic outbreaks -- as in the case of the Spanish flu in 1918, which killed over 600,000 Americans and tens of million across the globe -- what may initially start as a mild irritation or perturbation, may later on turn around and take everyone by surprise in the Autumn and winter when the seasonal flu season kicks off in the northern hemisphere.
With reports that the summer run of H1N1 infections peaked several weeks ago in America and a significant slow down in the number of cases being reported in the UK last week -- down to an estimated 30,000 cases in England -- there is the human tendency to be lulled into a false sense of security.
The out-of-sight-out-of-mind syndrome, so to speak, may lead many to become lackadaisical in their approach to hygiene practises. It important to keep in mind that pandemics come in waves -- there are signs Mexico may be in the early stages of a second wave -- that can last anything between 12 to 14 weeks. One big shocker with H1N1 was earlier this year, shortly after the initial outbreak in Mexico, many medical experts predicted that the spread of the virus would abate in the warmer months. However, as we all know now, H1N1 proved to be more resilient, continuing its relentless incursion into the human chain even in the hot weather. (Read Big drop in new swine flu cases- BBC)
So in this light, the Obama administration has been paying very close attention to H1N1 developments behind the scenes -- receiving regular weekly updates and attending flu meetings in the situation room -- and planning months in advance for what will be a very difficult winter.
It is anyones’ guess of how things will pan out over the coming weeks and months, but experts expect to see an upsurge in deaths as the children return back from their summer breaks and head back to school. A vaccine is on its way but the task of inoculating 160 million Americans with two shots spread over several weeks and a further time lag of two weeks before any immunity benefits take over, presents both an unprecedented logistical nightmare and period of uncertainty were the virus to mutate in that window of time between both shots. “In all likelihood, this flu will hit before vaccine is available for people,” Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, has said. (Take a look at The Poisoned Needle: Suppressed Facts about Vaccination
There’s a good chance that the pandemic may pass without much incident; then again, things could rapidly deteriorate causing millions of parents to stay at home with their kids. Currents H1N1 trends and past pandemic history do not augur a crystal clear outcome that we can latch on to. For now, all the experts can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best. (See HandClens Alcohol-Free 2 in 1 Foaming Hand Sanitizer & Lotion, 8-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 6)
Useful links: National Flu Service website, CDC H1N1 website
