THE TENSION BETWEEN COUNTRYS (Swine Flu)

On May 2, 2009, as many as 70 travelers from Mexico were involuntarily confined to their Chinese hotels and to medical facilities even as they showed no symptoms of the swine flu. Some Mexicans were ushered out from their hotels during late evening hours so they could be tested at medical facilities.
For their part, the Chinese assert that they were simply conducting commonsensical efforts to prevent the spread of swine flu in their territory. It should be remembered that China’s past experience with the SARS epidemic and the avian flu has made it acutely sensitive to this new strain of the swine flu. That said, Beijing denies discriminating against Mexicans. But China’s denials has done little to appease Mexico as Mexican president Felipe Calderon complained that far too many countries like China were “acting out of ignorance and disinformation” and taking “repressive, discriminatory measures.”
Mexico has criticized China for quarantining its nationals unjustly and for allegedly ignoring universally-accepted public health procedures. It hasn’t helped that the Mexican ambassador to Beijing was not allowed to visit a group of Mexican nationals being detained in a hotel in the Chinese capital. Mexican citizens have been detained in several locations in China, including Shanghai and Hong Kong.On May 6, the Mexican government arranged for a chartered jet to pick up their quarantined nationals in China and to repatriate them back to Mexico. According to Mexican officials, there were approximately 140 people on the chartered flight. The passengers assured the media and Mexican officials that they were treated well during their quarantine in China.

Swine Flu Epidemic

SWINE FLU EPIDEMIC (H1 N1)An influenza (flu) pandemic is currently being predicted by experts at the World Health Organization. This article describes pandemic influenza, the risk of it occurring in Canada, what makes it different from the 'ordinary' influenza we get every winter, and what the province is doing to prepare for a possible influenza pandemic.What is pandemic influenza?Pandemic influenza is a type of influenza that occurs every few decades and that spreads rapidly to affect most countries and regions around the world.Key Facts about Pandemic InfluenzaUntil the virus is identified it is not possible to make a vaccine.Pandemic influenza will spread very rapidly because people will have no immunity.Pandemic influenza is likely to be more severe than ordinary influenza.Groups at particular risk won't be known until the disease starts to circulate—they may be different from those in ordinary influenza years.Antivirals are being stockpiled but they have limitations—their effectiveness won't be known until the virus is circulating.How does an influenza pandemic start?Influenza viruses are constantly changing, producing new strains and varieties. Pandemics occur when a virus emerges that is so different from previously circulating strains that few, if any, people have any immunity to it. This allows it to spread widely and rapidly, affecting many hundreds of thousands of people. A new pandemic virus may be the result of an animal virus and a human virus mixing to produce a new strain. The animal virus usually comes from birds.How likely is an influenza pandemic?Three pandemics occurred in the last century. Scientists predict that another pandemic will happen, although they cannot say exactly when that will be.The virusUnlike the "ordinary" influenza that usually occurs every winter in Canada, pandemic influenza can occur at any time of year.There is a difference between a pandemic and an epidemic. A pandemic affects a higher number of people and a much larger geographic region.Pandemics of influenza have occurred occasionally for centuries—three times in the last hundred years—resulting in many thousands of deaths.Experts predict another pandemic, but cannot say exactly when it will happen. When it does, it may come in two or more waves several months apart. Each wave may last two to three months.Pandemic influenza is much more serious than ordinary influenza. As much as a quarter of the population may be affected—maybe more.Pandemic influenza is likely to cause the same symptoms as an ordinary influenza, but the symptoms may be more severe because nobody will have any immunity or protection against that particular virus.A serious pandemic is also likely to cause many deaths, disrupt the daily life of many people and cause intense pressure on health and other services.Every pandemic is different. Until the virus starts circulating, it is impossible to predict its full effects.