ÿþ<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Avian Flu - Phase 3 Pandemic Alert</TITLE> <meta name="description" content="The current Avian flu stage is at 3, "A Phase 3 Pandemic Alert" - see our expert information on the status of the avian flu pandemic for full updated bird flu information."> <META http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <link href="avianstyles.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"> <script src="updater.js" language="javascript" type="text/javascript"></script> <style type="text/css"> <!-- .style10 { font-size: 11px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; } --> </style> </HEAD> <BODY onLoad="updateMe();" bgcolor=e4e4e4 text="#000000" link="3b5595" vlink="cc6600" alink="#666666" leftmargin=0 topmargin=0 marginwidth=0 marginheight=0> <center> <TABLE width=842 border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0> <TR> <TD>&nbsp;</TD> <TD>&nbsp;</TD> <TD>&nbsp;</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <IMG SRC="images/AvianFlu_04.gif" width=12 height=82 ALT=""></TD> <TD> <a href="index.aspx"><IMG 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height=5><h1><br /> &nbsp;Expert Commentary </h1></td><td width=50% height=5 align=right valign="top"><a href="expert_commentary_archive.html" class="style10"><br /> Read Archived Commentaries</a> </td> </tr> </table> <table width="594" border="0" cellpadding="5"> <tr> <td width="588"> <p><span class="subnav"><strong>WHAT IS THE SWINE FLU?</strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <b> <span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black">EVENT:</span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black"> </span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black">Swine flu outbreaks have occurred in primarily <st1:country-region w:st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> and the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>, killing at least 150 people, and creating a potential for a pandemic event. Other affected countries include <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region>. </span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;color:black"><o:p></o:p> </span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black">While some of the swine flu cases in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> have been severe, most of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"> U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> cases of the swine flu have been mild. Often, hospitalization is not required, and victims experience symptoms similar to seasonal influenza (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue). </span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;color:black"><o:p></o:p> </span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <b> <span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black">EVALUATION:</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black">Historically, swine flu infections have caused few deaths. While the disease may be fatal, the majority of cases are mild. The concern stems from the disease s ability to mutate, creating a strain for which humans may not have immunity. </span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;color:black"><o:p></o:p> </span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black">Due to these events, the World Health Organization has raised its pandemic threat level from 3 to 4, meaning there has been verified human-to-human transmission of the disease, causing  community-level outbreaks. Phase 4 indicates a significant increase in risk of a pandemic but does not necessarily mean that a pandemic is a forgone conclusion.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black">The WHO recognizes the desire to try to contain the virus by using such methods as border patrols and airport screenings, but advises that such efforts may not be effective. &quot;At this time, containment is not a feasible option,&quot; said Keiji Fukuda, the WHO&#39;s assistant director general for health security and environment. &quot;This virus has already spread quite far.&quot; Instead, the WHO recommends that sick individuals avoid traveling and that all people take regular precautions to limit their self-exposure to the disease.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black"> <br /> </span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black">Dosages of vaccines, including&nbsp;Tamiflu, are currently being dispensed and managed by Mexican authorities and are delegated to hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, medical professionals in areas with high prevalence. They are also being reserved for those displaying signs and symptoms of the viral infection or those who carry high risk for contraction of the swine influenza. MEDEX has not learned of any preventative administration of Tamiflu to ordinary citizens or travelers that are not showing symptoms or are not at high risk for infection.&nbsp;It is important to be&nbsp;cautious when taking any medication, as counterfeit vaccines&nbsp;may surface during this time.<br /> &nbsp;</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black">On a 1-5 scale, where 1 is the best, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region> has an overall medical risk rating of 3. Private hospitals in the larger cities offer many physicians who speak English and can provide adequate care for flu symptoms. In an effort to stem the spread of the disease, the Mexican government, however, is urging individuals not to come to the hospital unless urgent medical care is required. Quality medical care is far less available in more rural areas. For a list of the top MEDEX-approved facilities in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region>, call the <st1:placename w:st="on">Emergency</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placename w:st="on">Response</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType>, or clients with access to the online <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Member</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://members.medexassist.com"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; color:purple">MEDEX 360º<sup>m</sup></span></a>.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:purple">&nbsp;<br /> </span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black">&nbsp;</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <b> <span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black">RECOMMENDATIONS:</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black">If you do not come into contact with travelers from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region>, or you are not or have not traveled to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region> yourself, regular flu precautions should provide adequate protection. This includes avoiding close contact with people showing flu-like symptoms, frequent hand washing, and other good health habits.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:9.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black">If you are traveling to or have recently been to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region> and are experiencing flu-like symptoms, you may wish to seek medical attention. If you are ill, avoid traveling until the situation subsides. Vaccines&nbsp;such as&nbsp;Tamiflu may help limit the symptoms of the disease, but its effectiveness has not yet been proven against the swine flu. Vaccines specifically for the swine flu are in development, but are months away from being available, and the virus s ability to mutate means that the effectiveness of any vaccine may be questionable.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:black">&nbsp;</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black">AAt this time, proper health precautions should be taken to limit the spread of this or any influenza virus. The key ways to limit your exposure are to avoid crowded areas and people who are ill, sneezing or coughing, and to wash your hands frequently.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black">MEDEX advises individuals and organization to follow local public health recommendations until this swell of cases subsides. MEDEX has posted a <a href="http://www.medexassist.com/swine-flu/default.aspx?CampaignID=MXG09SFA04"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Swine Flu website </span></a>ffor more information. </span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color:black"><o:p></o:p></span> </p> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> </table></TD> <TD background="images/rt_inside_bk.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/rt_inside_bk.gif" width=11 height=1 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <IMG SRC="images/guts_12.gif" width=9 height=13 ALT=""></TD> <TD colspan=3> <IMG SRC="images/guts_13.gif" width=791 height=13 ALT=""></TD> <TD> <IMG SRC="images/guts_14.gif" width=11 height=13 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <IMG SRC="images/spacer.gif" width=9 height=1 ALT=""></TD> <TD> <IMG SRC="images/spacer.gif" width=184 height=1 ALT=""></TD> <TD> <IMG SRC="images/spacer.gif" width=9 height=1 ALT=""></TD> <TD> <IMG SRC="images/spacer.gif" width=598 height=1 ALT=""></TD> <TD> <IMG SRC="images/spacer.gif" width=11 height=1 ALT=""></TD> </TR> </TABLE> </td> </tr> </table></TD> <TD background="images/rt_bk.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/rt_bk.gif" width=13 height=1 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <IMG SRC="images/AvianFlu_10.gif" width=12 height=15 ALT=""></TD> <TD> <IMG SRC="images/AvianFlu_11.gif" width=817 height=15 ALT=""></TD> <TD> <IMG SRC="images/AvianFlu_12.gif" width=13 height=15 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <IMG SRC="images/AvianFlu_13.gif" width=12 height=47 ALT=""></TD> <TD> <table width="817" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"> <tr> <td colspan="3"><center> <font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="index.aspx">Home/a> | <a href="about_medex.html">About MEDEX</a> | <a href="faq.html">FAQ</a> | <a href="privacy.html">Privacy</a> | <a href="contact_us.html">Contact Us </a></font> </center></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"><img src="images/rule.gif" width="800" height="14"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" align="center"><font color="3B5595" size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">COPYRIGHT | MEDEX 2009</font><br /><br /><font color="3B5595" size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Please note that this information does not negate the traveler's responsibilities to contact MEDEX should they require medical assistance. 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