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May 19th, 2009 | Comments Off
The World Health Organization is the primary source for case information for nations outside of North America. It issues its report daily at 6 am GMT, which a couple of hours after midnight on the East Coast of the U.S.
Its case numbers for the United States, Canada and Mexico are “yesterday’s” numbers. The lag will continue as long as WHO stays on its current reporting schedule.
There are 9,830 cases of novel H1N1, or swine flu, that have been diagnosed worldwide. 79 deaths are due to this illness.
Several things leap out from the report. Nicaragua and Belize have not reported any cases, even though other nations in Central America have. Neither have Bolivia or Venezuela.
They may not have any cases. A more concerning scenario is that they do not have the capability to detect or diagnose the illness. A truly concerning scenario for Nicaragua, Bolivia or Venezuela would be that their political issues with the United States are preventing testing and diagnosis.
The nightmare for public health officials is the populous country that does not cooperate with international bodies when it comes to epidemics. It may be politics, or, in the cases of a nation like Somalia, they may not have the capacity to work with WHO or the CDC. This creates a “black hole” in the web of detection, prevention and treatment that public health authorities are weaving.
What can be done about a country that clearly could be a threat to the health of its neighbors and the world? Today it is the relatively benign swine flu, but tomorrow it could be something far worse.
Filed under: Commentary, Influenza, Medicine, Original writing, Pandemic, Swine Flu · Tags: cases of h1n1 worldwide, cases of swine flu worldwide, h1n1, novel h1n1, Swine Flu, swine flu in Central America, WHO, World Health Organization
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Star of Hope is a nondenominational Christian organization that equips children across the world with knowledge, physical well-being, spiritual growth and social skills through educational programs and local and international partnerships. Please donate!
Swine Flu – H1N1 World Report May 19 2009
May 19th, 2009 | Comments Off
The World Health Organization is the primary source for case information for nations outside of North America. It issues its report daily at 6 am GMT, which a couple of hours after midnight on the East Coast of the U.S.
Its case numbers for the United States, Canada and Mexico are “yesterday’s” numbers. The lag will continue as long as WHO stays on its current reporting schedule.
There are 9,830 cases of novel H1N1, or swine flu, that have been diagnosed worldwide. 79 deaths are due to this illness.
Several things leap out from the report. Nicaragua and Belize have not reported any cases, even though other nations in Central America have. Neither have Bolivia or Venezuela.
They may not have any cases. A more concerning scenario is that they do not have the capability to detect or diagnose the illness. A truly concerning scenario for Nicaragua, Bolivia or Venezuela would be that their political issues with the United States are preventing testing and diagnosis.
The nightmare for public health officials is the populous country that does not cooperate with international bodies when it comes to epidemics. It may be politics, or, in the cases of a nation like Somalia, they may not have the capacity to work with WHO or the CDC. This creates a “black hole” in the web of detection, prevention and treatment that public health authorities are weaving.
What can be done about a country that clearly could be a threat to the health of its neighbors and the world? Today it is the relatively benign swine flu, but tomorrow it could be something far worse.
Table of contents for Swine flu outbreak 2009
Filed under: Commentary, Influenza, Medicine, Original writing, Pandemic, Swine Flu · Tags: cases of h1n1 worldwide, cases of swine flu worldwide, h1n1, novel h1n1, Swine Flu, swine flu in Central America, WHO, World Health Organization