Swine Flu

[Vanraw]

While 20 cases seems low, its a scary number. For instance, On October 5th 1918, in Des Monies Iowa, 25 cases were idenitifed. The surgeon general issues an order to close public facilities like theaters. But it was to late. 1 week later there were 8100 cases with 70 deaths. 1 week later, 21,000 cases.

During the the same 3 week period New York started with 61 cases. 3 weeks later 4500 were dead in NYC alone.

Globally, when it was over, over 30 million died, 675,000 of those Americans.

Here is a good web site that shows the 1918 pandemic for your state.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.pandemicflu.gov/general/greatpandemic.html">http://www.pandemicflu.gov/general/greatpandemic.html</a><!-- m -->

This is cool historical site as well.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://1918.pandemicflu.gov/">http://1918.pandemicflu.gov/</a><!-- m -->

Some of the real concern here is how it is distributed from Mexico. Meaning you usually have hot zone that these things spread from. Containment is done like what Mexico did in Mexico City. Closing down public area's, quarantining etc.

But as you get people leaving Mexico City into the US, it becomes a wildly distributed problem. Once it hits the air ports and such you get into a real management problem.