Mexico: at least 16 dead, in outbreak of influenza A H1N1 in Chihuahua state, 1 Dead in Jalisco ,1 Dead in Baja California - statewide alert declared

[Giuseppe]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Were Respiratory anthrax or tularemia ruled out?

 

[Tonka]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

As far as I know, nothing has been ruled out yet. Still waiting for results. I believe this is also the area where the Newcastle outbreak in birds was located.

 

[Tonka]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldecuautla/notas/n2014806.htm
Spanish to English translation

Mexico
Duarte Cancels agenda in Chihuahua to Juarez for influenza outbreak
Organizacion Editorial Mexicana
March 24, 2011


El Heraldo de Chihuahua

Chihuahua, Chih .- C?sar Duarte governor canceled his agenda in the state capital to meet the contingency by the outbreak of influenza in Juarez, where a traffic policeman died of atypical pneumonia and 4 more are hospitalized.

Tests on the virus, announced the State Ministry of Health, ruled that the case of seasonal influenza, so that in a few hours waiting for confirmation or denial that concerned the H1N1 virus, as regional and national laboratories analyze the samples collected.

The state president, following the outbreak that is causing alarm in the health sectors of the state, canceled a meeting with the State Board of Agriculture at 9 am, plus he canceled his attendance at a delivery of 99 patrols to Municipal Police and the opening of an urban transport route, which were scheduled for this day in the morning.

For its part, the Ministry of Health issued a statement to warn of the possibility that the case of the H1N1 virus, but said it will be up within a few hours when you are in a position to confirm what they are about the contagion of road agents in Ju?rez .

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

As far as I know, nothing has been ruled out yet. Still waiting for results. I believe this is also the area where the Newcastle outbreak in birds was located.

Since these patients may have been in contact with goods contaminated by anthrax bacilli or suffered an exposure to Francisella tularensis - a more targeted therapy could be useful to start as early as possible.

As I have understood from the scarce details of this incident, the patients are border officers and - taken into account the internal situation in Mexico - a criminal dispersion of the above mentioned pathogens should be ruled out urgently.

 

[Readymom]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Since these patients may have been in contact with goods contaminated by anthrax bacilli or suffered an exposure to Francisella tularensis - a more targeted therapy could be useful to start as early as possible.

As I have understood from the scarce details of this incident, the patients are border officers and - taken into account the internal situation in Mexico - a criminal dispersion of the above mentioned pathogens should be ruled out urgently.

Not that it matters/counts, but I've been wondering the same thing, since I first started reading this. So if a novice, like myself, is wondering about this, don't you think that they have also? Or is that assuming too much . -k

 

[alert]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Since these patients may have been in contact with goods contaminated by anthrax bacilli or suffered an exposure to Francisella tularensis - a more targeted therapy could be useful to start as early as possible.

As I have understood from the scarce details of this incident, the patients are border officers and - taken into account the internal situation in Mexico - a criminal dispersion of the above mentioned pathogens should be ruled out urgently.

I do not believe these are border patrol officers. I think the articles indicate these are simply traffic cops, who would be far less likely to encounter an intentional release of such agents.

 

[alert]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldecuautla/notas/n2014806.htm

El Heraldo de Chihuahua

Chihuahua, Chih .- C?sar Duarte governor canceled his agenda in the state capital to meet the contingency by the outbreak of influenza in Juarez, where a traffic policeman died of atypical pneumonia and 4 more are hospitalized.

Tests on the virus, announced the State Ministry of Health, ruled that the case of seasonal influenza, so that in a few hours waiting for confirmation or denial that concerned the H1N1 virus, as regional and national laboratories analyze the samples collected.

The state president, following the outbreak that is causing alarm in the health sectors of the state, canceled a meeting with the State Board of Agriculture at 9 am, plus he canceled his attendance at a delivery of 99 patrols to Municipal Police and the opening of an urban transport route, which were scheduled for this day in the morning.

For its part, the Ministry of Health issued a statement to warn of the possibility that the case of the H1N1 virus, but said it will be up within a few hours when you are in a position to confirm what they are about the contagion of road agents in Ju?rez

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

I have only expressed an opinion.

Since H1N1 (2009) is widely circulating, it is likely this virus may be involved in some if not all these pneumonia cases.

The details from news - even in Spanish versions - are not enough to formulate a theory, but it seems that reporters are making distinction between seasonal influenza strains (H3 and B) and H1N1 (2009), as this latter was a 'new' one.

They wrote about an 'atypical' pneumonia, that is the clinical definition for a group of illness involving pathogens like Mycoplasma spp. and Chlamydia spp.; but the wordings may be referring to an untreatable condition, at least with the usual broad-spectrum antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia.

It was not stated whether the patients were treated with oseltamivir.

Until a laboratory result will be available is not easy to formulate an hypotesis on this case.

The likelihood of an accidental or criminal exposure to listed pathogens is low but it is perhaps useful to take into account even this event.

 

[alert]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

http://www.oem.com.mx/elmexicano/notas/n2014691.htm

"We are afraid"
Traffic Police, vaccinated against [atypical pneumonia]. Photo: MexicanoDicen Transits of the West.
El Mexicano
March 24, 2011


Juan Ramon Rosas / El Mexicano

Ciudad Ju?rez, Chihuahua. "The high command of the Municipal Traffic Division are 'capped' the mouth to the agents were forbidden to give any information to the media or otherwise, they warned that the area would send of pedestrians.

Poniente station agents, trying to inform, but only indicated that they were afraid, especially because they knew what was happening, they did not know if it was just a case against them or was something widespread.

Unofficially, made public Tuesday that the two women officers in that department came to receive medical attention, but so far have not released that information.

They are also required to use face mask inside and outside the office, in like manner, as disclosed the need to use during working hours.

This came following the death of a road agent and the spread of three more, one in critical condition because of [atypical pneumonia].

Also the director of the Health Jurisdiction number II, announced that as a precautionary measure the agents can not shake hands with the drivers and the general public to prevent spread of [atypical pneumonia], which has already killed an officer transit

 

[alert]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Note that no symptoms have been reported in family members, which might be a clue.

IOH, I agree with you that we may need to consider such unlikely agents (this is right on the border of the US Southwest, so I might add pneumonic plague to your list), but more likely agents such as H1N1 and Legionella have not yet been ruled out.

The reaction of authorities here seems extremely severe so far.

http://www.oem.com.mx/elmexicano/notas/n2014693.htm

Still serious commander
Doctors Ariel Héctor Díaz de León and doors, giving reports on the health problem that arose between the agents Transit.

El Mexicano
March 24, 2011


Angelica Bustamante Archundia / El Mexicano

Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. "Major transit is in intensive care for [atypical pneumonia], so far is stable, without departing from the dangers of the disease that it could recover or worse, was the report of the Municipal Health Director, Ariel Díaz de León.

Also announced medical conditions in which the agent entered the deceased, a man aged 27 was admitted to hospital on Sunday March 20 with chest pain, breathing difficulties, he was treated with antibiotics for the table viral.

He went into intensive care, he made the first evidence of influenza, which were negative, on March 21 worsened and on the morning of March 22 began with tachycardia, cardiac arrest at 2:00 am, 3:00 hours and the second to heart 4:50 am died.

So far, the authorities ruled that the case of an outbreak of Influenza A H1N1.

Municipal Health pointed out that the elements of the corporation are being vaccinated and brigades in the stations are serving the needs of agents, mainly in East station, as the two cases found belong to that place, the families of both elements are being addressed to be aware of any symptoms that may arise.

They noted that there is no health warning are still considered as isolated cases, however monitoring will continue to be alert to any changes that could be presented.

The two earlier, his evil is called "mirror" to have the same symptoms, there are three cases and review medical care, not to move.

All persons showing symptoms of common cold and body aches, mild fever, headache, shortness of breath, bone pain, among other symptoms, should seek medical advice immediately.

It is very important for all those entitled under the Municipal Hospital who feel unsafe attending there to assess them and if in case they have something to start treatment quickly.

He added that for the citizens that does not have a medical service, can come to public hearings where they are offered overhaul, vaccination and drug free, as in community centers and elsewhere in the health sector.

 

[alert]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

http://puentelibre.mx/not_detalle.php?id_n=63534

Mayor Decides to suspend the public hearing by [atypical pneumonia]

The mayor decided to suspend the public hearing on Saturday to avoid any contamination by the outbreak of [atypical pneumonia] in the Traffic Division.

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Source: New Jersey Preparedness Training Consortium, www.nj-ptc.org/training/.../BioterrorismOverviewRespTherapist.ppt


Inhaled Anthrax (Bacillus Anthraxis)

Incubation period 1-6 days up to 45 days
Natural Occurrence: Few via Inhalation.
No Known Human-to-Human Transmission
Presentation: Fever, malaise, cough, mild chest discomfort; later dyspnea, diaphoresis, stridor, cyanosis, hypotension, hemorrhagic meningitis. 50% Mortality, with treatment.
DX: Mediastinal widening w/o infiltrates on CXR, Serology, Gram stain, PCR
TX: Supportive care, Doxycycline 200 mg IV then 100 mg IV Q12 hr. Vaccine - high risk groups.


Tularemia (Francisella Tularensis)

Incubation Period: 1 - 10 days (avg. 3-5)
Natural Occurrence: 200 cases annually in US from animal sources
Human-to-Human Transmission: None known, but highly infectious via aerosol.
Presentation: fever, headache, malaise, chest discomfort, productive/non-productive cough, anorexia and conjuntival and periorbital edema. 10-20% Mortality.
DX: CXR- mediastinal lymphoadenopathy, Serology(ELISA), C&S, PCR & IHC
TX: Supportive, Streptomycin or gentamycin. No current vaccine.

(...)
-
------

 

[Tonka]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

http://www.diario.com.mx/notas.php?f=2011/03/23&id=8605117258838b6d2f16feb3fde86267
Spanish to English translation

Found this from El Paso...

Department of Health issued recommendations for preventing influenza

Editors | 23/03/2011 | 18:00


The Department of Public Health attached to the Government of the City of El Paso is reminding citizens to take extra measures to protect against influenza.

The number of cases of influenza reported in both January and February were higher than in normal years, including cases reported during the H1N1 influenza pandemic recorded in 2009.

"We take these statistics seriously and we will monitor the number of new cases in our community," said Michael Hill, director of Health. "We hope to see a decrease once we collect the March figures," he added.

In January, the agency reported a total of 357 cases of influenza, among which include the H1N1 strain, while the number of reported cases was 302 in February. Last year, the department received 20 and 21 reports of influenza in January and February, respectively.

 

[alert]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/apex/..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,87712

Archive Number 20110324.0932
Published Date 24-MAR-2011
Subject PRO/EDR> Atypical pneumonia - Mexico: (CH) RFI

ATYPICAL PNEUMONIA - MEXICO: (CHIHUAHUA), REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
*****************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http: www.promedmail.org="">
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http: www.isid.org="">

Date: Wed 23 Mar 2011
Source: Excelsior [in Spanish, trans., edited]
<http: excelsior.com.mx="" index.php?m="nota&id_nota=724219"><http: www.flutrackers.com="" forum="" showthread.php?t="164945"></http:></http:></http:></http:>(original: <http://excelsior.com.mx/index.php?m=nota&id_nota=724219>
translation: <http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=164945>)<http: www.promedmail.org=""><http: www.isid.org=""><http: excelsior.com.mx="" index.php?m="nota&id_nota=724219"><http: www.flutrackers.com="" forum="" showthread.php?t="164945">

A rare viral disease attacked several municipal traffic police in
Ciudad Juarez, killing one, while 3 have the same symptoms.

The commander of the Eastern sector, Guadalupe Gutierrez Palma, was
reported in critical condition, and 2 more agents are under
observation and have the same disease.

At a press conference, authorities of the municipality, headed by Dr.
Ariel Diaz de Leon, stated that they were puzzled by the unknown
origin and characteristics of the illness.

The disease [illness] was classified by doctors as an atypical
pneumonia. Agents of the City Transit Department and the Health
Department announced that [investigations are in progress] to
determine the cause of the illness responsible for the deaths of the
agents.

The Municipal Secretary of Health said that the [Commander] of
Traffic who died became ill over the weekend and consulted a private
doctor before being transferred to the General Hospital, where he died
despite intensive treatment.

This case was diagnosed as an atypical pneumonia, and the cause of
death is being investigated, he said. Local authority doctors advised
other agents [to seek medical treatment] immediately if they are cold,
experience bone pain, fever or breathing problems.

[Byline: Carlos Coria Rivas]

--
Communicated by:
[edit s.s.</http:></http:></http:></http:>]
<flutrackers@earthlink.net>
<http: www.promedmail.org=""><http: www.isid.org=""><http: excelsior.com.mx="" index.php?m="nota&id_nota=724219"><http: www.flutrackers.com="" forum="" showthread.php?t="164945"> <flutrackers@earthlink.net>

[Atypical pneumonia is a pneumonia that does not respond to the usual
antibiotic treatment. It can be caused by bacteria, in particular
_Mycoplasma pneumoniae_, _Chlamydia pneumoniae_, _Legionella
pneumophila_ and _Bordatella pertussis_, or viruses, including
influenza virus and other respiratory pathogens.

The description of the illness and the circumstances surrounding this
incident are too ill-defined to suggest a possible etiology for these
4 cases, one with fatal outcome. No information is provided to
substantiate the diagnosis of atypical pneumonia or the involvement of
a viral pathogen or any other infectious agent. Further information is
requested.

Ciudad Juarez is in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. It can be located
by accessing the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Mexico at:
<http: healthmap.org="" r="" 009u="">. - Mod.CP]</http:></flutrackers@earthlink.net></http:></http:></http:></http:>

 

[CopitoSP]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Hold a wake for the traffic cop killed by Atypical pneumonia

Luz del Carmen Sosa

The Journal | 03.24.2011 | 15:24



Family, friends and colleagues of the late Aaron traffic officer Rodolfo Antúnez Knight participate in the funeral service that is performed at an early hour.

The transportation officer who died of atypical pneumonia in what is considered the first death of the epidemic of human influenza A (H1N1) that caused the issuance of a general health warning on the state to prevent more people from becoming infected.

At least three individuals are affected and receive medical care.
http://www.diario.com.mx/notas.php?f=2011/03/24&id=c4a57ef16ca2a2967b6df4431497e8b8

 

[alert]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Hold a wake for the traffic cop killed by Atypical pneumonia

Luz del Carmen Sosa

The Journal | 03.24.2011 | 15:24



Family, friends and colleagues of the late Aaron traffic officer Rodolfo Ant?nez Knight participate in the funeral service that is performed at an early hour.

The transportation officer who died of atypical pneumonia in what is considered the first death of the epidemic of human influenza A (H1N1) that caused the issuance of a general health warning on the state to prevent more people from becoming infected.

At least three individuals are affected and receive medical care.
http://www.diario.com.mx/notas.php?f=2011/03/24&id=c4a57ef16ca2a2967b6df4431497e8b8

The tense on that verb is not clear. The Spanish is "lo que se considera el primer deceso", which I take as "which might be considered the first death", not "is considered" which the machine translator gives.

 

[CopitoSP]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

The tense on that verb is not clear. The Spanish is "lo que se considera el primer deceso", which I take as "which might be considered the first death", not "is considered" which the machine translator gives.

*"Lo que se considera el primer deceso" would be translated as "which is (*already*) considered the first death" as they are assuming that this is due to H1N1

It's like saying "The japan earthquake is (*already*) considered the worst in many years" that it's not the same like saying "The japan earthquake might be considered the worst in many years". There's little difference, but the first sentence is more confirmative as you see.

 

[Tonka]

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

Re: Mexico - Ju?rez on alert for cases of atypical pneumonia - 1 dead, 14 hospitalized (One is unresponsive to treatment)

http://www.diario.com.mx/notas.php?f=2011/03/24&id=f7e35a2e3feb9cc90b804cafadaa1c3b
Spanish to Eng. translation

Duarte confirmed outbreak of influenza A H1N1 in Juarez declared statewide alert

Alex Salmon
El Diario / Correspondent | 24.03.2011 | 15:22

Chihuahua- The State Board of Health this afternoon confirmed the presence of H1N1 virus, with two confirmed cases and eight patients as "suspects" in Ciudad Juárez, plus one from El Paso, Texas. In the rest of the state there are six other patients likely that evil known as the "Human Influenza."

Cesar Duarte Jaquez The governor announced this at a press conference at which explained that this is a sick person male and one female, but one already died, who is not scientifically certified that bad, although there were elements to assume that was by spread of the epidemic, said the president


It also indicated that one of the probable patient is from El Paso, who is suspected to have been the one who brought evil to Ciudad Juárez.



The conference was held at the Palace of Government, primarily the Health Committee, which includes about twenty officers first and second level, where the state governor to be re-advised to take preventive measures similar to those of Last year, as constant hand washing and hygiene extreme measures, but ruled not to suspend classes or close the business, as happened in the summer of 2009.



He also noted that the use of masks is of little use.

 

[alert]

Re: Duarte confirmed outbreak of influenza A H1N1 in Juarez declared statewide alert

Re: Duarte confirmed outbreak of influenza A H1N1 in Juarez declared statewide alert

Yeah, H1N1 confirmed.

Thank you to the CopitoSP also for the Spanish language clarification. Although I speak enough Spanish to understand the untranslated articles, I am not a native speaker, so I appreciate such clarification on idiom like that.

 

[alert]

Re: Duarte confirmed outbreak of influenza A H1N1 in Juarez declared statewide alert

Re: Duarte confirmed outbreak of influenza A H1N1 in Juarez declared statewide alert

http://www.proceso.com.mx/rv/modHome/detalleExclusiva/89520

Chihuahua detected in 15 cases of H1N1
The Editors



Chihuahua, Chih., March 24 (adopted) .- The governor of Cesar Duarte Jaquez, and the owner of the state Health Department, Sergio Pi?a Marshall, announced the detection of fifteen cases of H1N1 influenza.

Accordingly, the State Administration issued an alert the population to avoid a rebound as the health crisis that was experienced in the country during 2009.

Duarte Jaquez said that of the 15 cases it is known, eight occurred in Ciudad Ju?rez - apparently one of which ended in death, "six in the state capital, and another in Cuauhtemoc, thus extending the measures the entire population to prevent the spread of the virus and the loss of human lives.

The announcement came in the room balconies at the Government Palace, after they obtained the results of laboratory tests carried out yesterday to five cases in Ciudad Juarez, which has been positive reaction to the influenza A H1N1.

The governor Duarte said that while this situation requires caution, it would not itself affect the activities of schools, businesses, or social events.

However, it recommended that people who have symptoms such as sore throat, temperature over 38 degrees, sneezing, runny nose and headache, which is not self-medicate and that they visit health facilities even if not affiliated .

Last Sunday, an official of the Municipal Traffic Department (DGTM) died from what doctors described then as "atypical pneumonia."

Another element of the DGTM is in intensive care and at least three officers have symptoms, for this reason have been applied at least 250 shots at agents of that corporation.