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In Serbia, garlic is a defense against swine flu

11/14/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Against the advice of their doctors, Serbians have turned to garlic as defense against the swine flu infection. Ever since the H1N! flu reached this country, the city of Belgrade has seen a rise in the market price of garlic. Many people are using garlic to fortify bodily resistance against the disease.

Aside from being widely used for cooking, garlic is regarded as an old remedy and a good luck charm. People munch on the white pungent cloves for its medicinal and nutritional properties--- hoping to protect themselves from the spread of the swine flu virus.

According to the Serbian health authorities, there are 270 documented cases and 8 deaths of the H1N1 pandemic so far. To counter viral infection, the government embarks on information campaign and has ordered the company Norvartis in Swtizerland for a supply of 3 million vaccines. The claims that garlic is an effective folk remedy against swine flu has no solid medical basis. (Photo Credit: Svadilfari) =0=

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Labels: Alternative Medicine, antiviral, Belgrade, epidemic, garlic, H1N1 virus, pandemic, prevention, Serbia, Swine flu, Totie Mesia, treatment

H1N1 flu vaccination in US starts in October

9/14/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

With the onset of school, health experts fear that the spread of the swine flu will intensify. That’s why they plan to start the vaccination in about three weeks to protect as much individuals as possible to the pandemic virus.

Earlier, it was thought that the new H1N1 flu virus would need a two step dosing to achieve a level of immunity during the vaccination, but recent studies on patients with ages 18 to 64 years showed that a single dose containing 15 micrograms of the viral antigen was enough to stimulate protective levels of antibodies. From the initial results, the vaccine which didn’t contain adjuvant to boost its efficacy, showed no serious side-effects.

“The results of the vaccine studies suggest one dose of the formula used by drugmakers should offer H1N1 protection similar to the seasonal flu shot. Paris-based Sanofi Aventis SA, London- based GlaxoSmithKline Plc, and Basel, Switzerland-based Novartis AG are among the other companies making the vaccine. “---- Bloomberg.com (09/13/09, Randall, T; Gale, J.)

The single dose regimen will simplify the vaccination process and appreciably increase the production and stockpile of Paris-based Sanofi Aventis SA, London- based GlaxoSmithKline Plc, and Basel, Switzerland-based Novartis AG which are making the vaccines. There are plans in the US to donate prepared vaccines to poor countries. Since the experience their use is limited, more studies are needed to validate the initial findings to ascertain the efficacy and safety of the drug. (Photo Credit: CDC) =0=

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Labels: antibodies, antiviral, H1N1 virus, Influenza, influenza virus, prevention, Swine flu, Totie Mesia, vaccination, vaccine

Communion by hand makes sense against the spread of H1N1 virus

6/07/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The advice of Manila Archibishop Gaudencio Cardinal Santos to temporarily stop the custom of hand-to-mouth contact at the time of communion during mass will certainly help avoid the easy transmission of the flu virus in the community. Coupled with avoidance of hand contact during a religious service, this is certainly helpful as swine virus infection in the country jumped to 33 on Saturday, June 6, 2009.

Obviously, as more people get infected, the chance of a widespread influenza is greater. The public must appreciate the effort taken by health and religious authorities to contain the disease, hence the recommendation of frequent hand-washing, avoidance of crowds, the postponement of school opening from June 8 to June 15, the quarantine of those stricken with the disease, and the active educational campaign on prevention. It’s the civic duty of every Filipino to help stop the transmission of the illness. (Photo Credit: gems) =0=

SWINE FLU UPDATE:

June 8, 2009. The Department of Health headed by Dr. Francisco Duque III reported additional cases of H1N1 flu which totalled to 46 during the weekend.

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Labels: Archibishop Gaudencio Rosales, Church, communion, diseases, epidemic, Flu, H1N1 virus, influenza virus, Manila, prevention, religion, Swine flu, Totie Mesia

RP reports its first H1N1 virus infection

5/22/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Based on the tally of the World Health Organization (WHO,) the swine flu spreading throughout the world has reached 11,168 and 86 deaths as of May 22, 2009. This coincides with the first case confirmed in the Philippines which joins at least 38 countries having the disease.

The Department of Health (DOH,) reported that the swine flu-positive 11 year-old girl identified by the laboratory of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine(RITM) arrived on May 18, 2009 from USA and Canada where many swine infections have been reported. She is presently quarantined in an effort to contain the virus from infecting the general population.

“The government will conduct contact tracing to identify and diagnose individuals who might have come into contact with the infected girl. Health authorities will also check the plane boarded by the girl for traces of the disease.”--- GMA TV News.com (05/21/09 Balagtas-See, A)

Advising the public to be calm and be mindful of the preventive measures advised by health authorities, the DOH reminds the public of the need for vigilance. Filipinos must not be complacent as the virus easily mutates; it has the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality which can affect the nation's economy. Pharmaceuticals are still on the process of making a the H1N1 flu vaccine, but it will take a few months before it will be available. =0=

World Health Organization (WHO) Tally of H1N1 Flu Infection

As of 06:00 GMT, 22 May 2009

Laboratory-confirmed cases of new influenza A(H1N1) as officially reported to WHO by States Parties to the International Health Regulations (2005)

Country----Cumulative total-----Newly confirmed since the last reporting period-
--------------Cases---Deaths----Cases-----Deaths
Argentina------1------0-----------0---------0
Australia-------7------0-----------4---------0
Austria---------1------0-----------0---------0
Belgium--------5------0-----------0---------0
Brazil-----------8------0-----------0---------0
Canada--------719----1-----------0---------0
Chile-----------24-----0-----------19--------0
China-----------11-----0-----------3---------0
Colombia-------12-----0-----------0---------0
Costa Rica-----20-----0-----------0---------0
Cuba-------------4------0-----------0---------0
Denmark---------1------0-----------0---------0
Ecuador---------8------0-----------7---------0
El Salvador-----6------0-----------0---------0
Finland----------2------0-----------0---------0
France----------16-----0-----------0---------0
Germany--------14-----0-----------0---------0
Greece----------1------0-----------0---------0
Guatemala------4------0-----------0---------0
India-------------1------0-----------0---------0
Ireland----------1------0-----------0---------0
Israel------------7------0-----------0---------0
Italy-------------10-----0-----------0---------0
Japan-----------294---0-----------35--------0
Korea-----------3------0-----------0---------0
Malaysia--------2------0-----------0---------0
Mexico----------3892---75---------0---------0
Netherlands-----3------0-----------0---------0
New Zealand-----9------0-----------0---------0
Norway-----------3------0-----------0---------0
Panama----------73-----0-----------4---------0
Peru--------------5------0-----------2---------0
Philippines------1------0-----------1---------0
Poland-----------2------0-----------0---------0
Portugal---------1------0-----------0---------0
Spain------------113----0-----------2---------0
Sweden----------3------0-----------0---------0
Switzerland------1------0-----------0---------0
Thailand---------2------0-----------0---------0
Turkey-----------2------0-----------0---------0
United Kingdom--112----0---------3---------0
USA--------------5764---9-----------54--------1
Grand Total----11168---86--------134-------1

Cumulative and new figures are subject to revision

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Labels: diseases, DOH, epidemic, Flu, H1N1 virus, illness, influenza virus, pandemic, Philippines, prevention, RITM, Swine flu, Totie Mesia, WHO

Manny Pacquiao: a disappointing role model?

5/11/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The praises Manny Pacquiao got in beating Ricky Hatton during a boxing match in Las Vegas, Nevada had been extraordinary. He was truly deserving of such admiration from his adoring fans. Yet, in a rare read, I came across the editorial of Malaya----which was bold in criticizing the sports hero for not heeding the advice of health authorities in Manila and the World Health Organization (WHO.)

The humble entertaining boxer from General Santos City was stubborn. He couldn't be dissuaded from postponing his return so that the health protocol to keep the disease out of the country could be enforced. Billions of dollars had been spent the world over in order to prevent the disease from spreading any further.

“Manny Pacquiao was a disappointment as a role model when he turned a deaf ear to the appeal of health officials to undergo self-quarantine for at least five days before returning to Manila. There were two options presented to him. First, to postpone his return home for at least five days. Second, to closet himself for the same length of time if it was impossible for him to postpone his homecoming.”---- Malaya (05/10/09)

Manny’s slobbering VIP treatment is common in the Philippines. Almost no one in the country can speak against the boxing legend “who can’t go wrong”--- not even Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo and the politicians. The way some people trivialize health risks and disregard medical advice is rather worrisome. I hope nothing horrible comes along because Manny prevailed over the wisdom of Department of Health (DOH). (Photo Credit: Newkleus00)=0=

RELATED BLOGS: "May 8, 2009: H1N1 flu update" Posted by mesiamd at 5/09/2009; " Filipinos take risk in allowing Pacquiao to go home early" Posted by mesiamd at 5/08/2009

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Labels: diseases, DOH, epidemic, Flu, H1N1 virus, Health, Influenza, influenza virus, isolation, Manny Pacquiao, prevention, quarantine, risk, Swine flu, Totie Mesia, WHO

Egypt’s slaughter of pigs to prevent swine flu criticized

5/04/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Because there’s no evidence that pigs harbor the H1N1 virus that cause the swine flu, the killing of pigs isn’t necessary. That’s according to Barbara Straw, a professor of large animal clinical science at Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Her reaction comes on the wake of Egypt’s move to kill an estimated 300,000 swines which many consider as a knee-jerk reaction to the threat of influenza. Eating bacon, pork chops, or other pig products are not likely to cause swine flu. So far health authorities believe nothing like this is happening at this time.

"Killing (pigs) is not a solution, otherwise, we should kill the people, because the virus spreads through them," wrote Abdullah Kamal of the daily Rose El-Youssef.---- http://www.ynetnews.com

“Egypt, which has no swine flu cases, is the only country in the world to order a mass pig slaughter in response to the disease. The move mirrored Egypt's battle with bird flu, in which the government killed 25 million birds within weeks in 2006.”----AP (05/03/05, El-Tablawy, T)

A country of 80 million, Egypt doesn’t have a large hog industry and its predominant Muslim religion forbids the consumption of pig’s meat. Swine is the source of food of non-muslims, mostly Coptic Christians who comprise only a 10th of the population.

Egyptians are enraged over the Health department’s pig slaughter order which the public considers a reflection of the government ineptness in handling health emergencies. The World Health Organization (WHO) thinks the pig slaughter wasteful and unnecessary.

Though the swine flu appears to have slackened in its spread, more countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America have reported cases of the influenza. The reference of the disease as H1N1 viral flu is preferable than "swine flu" which is misleading and dampens the business of hog raisers. It is unclear if the infection will extend into the months of fall when the seasonal flu comes along. (Photo Credit: AP/ Nouri, N) =0=

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Labels: Christians, Coptic Chrisitians, Egypt, epidemic, H1N1 virus, Health, influenza virus, pig slaughter, prevention, Swine flu, Totie Mesia, virus, WHO

UP Ibalon Bicol

In Serbia, garlic is a defense against swine flu

H1N1 flu vaccination in US starts in October

Communion by hand makes sense against the spread of H1N1 virus

RP reports its first H1N1 virus infection

Manny Pacquiao: a disappointing role model?

Egypt’s slaughter of pigs to prevent swine flu criticized

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