SCHWARZENEGGER DECLARES EMERGENCY, TRAVEL ADVISORY ISSUED OVER SWINE FLU

HUNTER SEEKS CLOSURE OF BORDER UPDATED April 29, 2009 (San Diego)—Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in California to request federal funds for emergency services and supplies to combat the disease. To date, 91 cases have been confirmed in the U.S., including 11 in California and five in San Diego County. The first U.S. death, a boy who traveled to Texas from Mexico, was confirmed today and tests are being done on a Los Angeles man who died following symptoms of swine flu. (Tests on a second L.A.man proved negative.) The outbreak has spread to Europe, Asia, the middle East and Canada. In Mexico, over 149 deaths have occurred and nearly 2,000 cases reported, prompting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to issue a travel advisory asking travelers to avoid nonessential trips to Mexico.

At least two lawmakers have called for a shut-down of “nonessential” travel from Mexico to the U.S.

“The swine flu presents a serious threat to the American public and we must act aggressively to ensure it’s contained,” Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) said in a statement issued in Washington D.C. “If the State Department is restricting all nonessential U.S. travel to Mexico as a precaution, similar steps should also be taken to restrict cross-border traffic entering the U.S. from Mexico. ..Given the San Diego community’s close proximity to the border and the fact that 340,000 people enter the U.S. through Southern California’s ports of entry every day, the necessary precautions must be taken to ensure this virus does not spread any more.”

Rep. Eric Massa, a Democrat from New York, where 45 people have now been confirmed ill with swine flu, has also called for immigration to be halted temporarily. “The public needs to be aware of the serious threat of swine flu, and we need to close our borders to Mexico immediately and completely until this is resolved,” Massa said.

All schools throughout Mexico have been closed because of the epidemic, along with other public places such as theaters and libraries, as well as public events including Olympic trials and Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a stage 4 pandemic alert for the first time in its history amid concerns that the Mexico deaths have been largely among young, healthy adults—not infants or the elderly, who more commonly succumb to flu due to underlying respiratory complications. Deaths of young adults was a hallmark of the 1918 flu pandemic.

In Mexico, a factory pig farm with unsanitary conditions is coming under scrutiny as the possible epicenter of the outbreak. (See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/mexican-lawmaker-factory_b_191... )

In the U.S., most cases have been mild and the vast majority of patients have recovered. The disease is responding to anti-viral medications when treated within 48 hours of symptoms.

Locally, health officials have shut down Christ the Cornerstone Academy in Mira Mesa after a student contracted swine flu and three teachers became ill with flu-like symptoms. The County of San Diego has activated its 2-1-1 call center for the public to call and talk with live specialists for non-emergency information on swine flu.

Frequent hand-washing and covering one’s nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing are advised to avoid spreading the disease. If you are ill, health authorities ask that you remain home from work or school. If you experience breathing problems or other severe symptoms, seek medical help immediately. For more information on swine flu in English and Spanish, visit the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov.