Posted on 04/24/2009 11:14:05 PM PDT by Cindy
SNIPPET - QUOTE:
Human Swine Influenza Investigation
April 24, 2009 22:00 EST
Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the U.S. in San Diego County and Imperial County, California as well as in San Antonio, Texas. Internationally, human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in Mexico.
U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection State # of laboratory confirmed cases California 6 cases Texas 2 cases International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection Country # of laboratory confirmed cases Mexico 7 cases Cases will be updated daily at 3 p.m. EST
NOTE: Only international human cases confirmed by CDC laboratories will be reported Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with similar swine influenza viruses.
CDC is working very closely with state and local officials in California, Texas, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization.
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/swineflu_you.htm
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Swine Influenza and You
What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also.
Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.
Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.
How do you catch swine flu?
Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways:
Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.
Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human-to-human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are
also effective.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread
this way.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in San Diego County or Imperial County California or Guadalupe County, Texas and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
Page last updated April 24, 2009
Content Source: Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases (CCID)
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)
A Look back in time:
http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/bio/factsheets/H1N1factsheet.html
“1918 Influenza A (H1N1) Fact Sheet”
WHO.INT
http://www.who.int
#
SNIPPET:
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_24/en/index.html
Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR)
Country activities | Outbreak news | Resources | Media centre
WHO > Programmes and projects > Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) > Disease Outbreak News
Main content
Influenza-Like Illness in the United States and Mexico
24 April 2009 — The United States Government has reported seven confirmed human cases of Swine Influenza A/H1N1 in the USA (five in California and two in Texas) and nine suspect cases. All seven confirmed cases had mild Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), with only one requiring brief hospitalization. No deaths have been reported.
The Government of Mexico has reported three separate events. In the Federal District of Mexico, surveillance began picking up cases of ILI starting 18 March. The number of cases has risen steadily through April and as of 23 April there are now more than 854 cases of pneumonia from the capital. Of those, 59 have died. In San Luis Potosi, in central Mexico, 24 cases of ILI, with three deaths, have been reported. And from Mexicali, near the border with the United States, four cases of ILI, with no deaths, have been reported.
Of the Mexican cases, 18 have been laboratory confirmed in Canada as Swine Influenza A/H1N1, while 12 of those are genetically identical to the Swine Influenza A/H1N1 viruses from California.
The majority of these cases have occurred in otherwise healthy young adults. Influenza normally affects the very young and the very old, but these age groups have not been heavily affected in Mexico.
Because there are human cases associated with an animal influenza virus, and because of the geographical spread of multiple community outbreaks, plus the somewhat unusual age groups affected, these events are of high concern.
The Swine Influenza A/H1N1 viruses characterized in this outbreak have not been previously detected in pigs or humans. The viruses so far characterized have been sensitive to oseltamivir, but resistant to both amantadine and rimantadine.
The World Health Organization has been in constant contact with the health authorities in the United States, Mexico and Canada in order to better understand the risk which these ILI events pose. WHO (and PAHO) is sending missions of experts to Mexico to work with health authorities there. It is helping its Member States to increase field epidemiology activities, laboratory diagnosis and clinical management. Moreover, WHO’s partners in the Global Alert and Response Network have been alerted and are ready to assist as requested by the Member States.
WHO acknowledges the United States and Mexico for their proactive reporting and their collaboration with WHO and will continue to work with Member States to further characterize the outbreak.”
You’re welcome bearsgirl90.
thanks for posting that...I’ll note it...in case.
You’re welcome Mr. Michael.
I’ll update this thread when updates become available.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrNJt73BG_8
“Washing Hands - Six Steps”
The only thing I'd add to that- which is very good- is
1)- use a clean towel every time, and
2)- try to keep your hands below collar level ( something I learned when I ran the sewage plant, many years ago!)
Meanwhile, on the top of my grocery list for today is hand sanitizer- for wiping my hands when I leave the store...
Thank you backhoe for the tips.
I appreciate it.
Hand sanitizer... a very good idea.
Ping...
Don't listen to the FedGov when they try and force everyone to get a new and cure-all vaccine. The pandemic scare may be a plant to get all the sheeple to take the real thing in a shot.
Like the entire US military in one swoop
I'm more than suspicious... I've worked inside the FedGov for 38 years.
Nut-case stuff? Hide it in plain view works every time.
You don't want to be on the wrong side of this best guess - bad mojo feeling.
Hmm...my suspicions exactly. Could this be bio warfare?
Thanks for the ping!
Good Q&A on this thread.
“I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate and he’s gonna need help. And the kind of help he’s gonna need is, he’s gonna need you - not financially to help him - we’re gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it’s not gonna be apparent initially, it’s not gonna be apparent that we’re right. Gird your loins”
I, too, find this interesting. The timing, the apparent place of origination... Makes one go, “hmmmmm....?”
There’s a lot of hmmmmsss these days as we live in interesting times.
Could this be a terrorist biological attack? A new breed of flu,combining avian, swine, and human chromosomes?
Fears of a pandemic are being greatly exaggerated to get our attention off the egregious activity being done to us by Government and financial institutions that are hell bent on robbing us of our Liberties and our money.
Cindy~thanks for the excellent info.
That's the first thing to pop into my mind. This is not the usual flu season, the combination of swine/avian/human is suspicious. The origin in Mexico is also suspicious. Makes me go Hmmmmmmmmmmmm???
I have seen mention that CA and TX are “concerned”, but nothing to indicate that New Mexico is even aware of the possibilities...has anyone seen an article from the all too competently run (/sarc) NM state government on precautions being taken?
Not a word mentioned about the flu outbreak, but Richardson is wanting the guard on the border.
Richardson urges more funding for National Guard troops on U.S.-Mexico border
By Matthew Reichbach 4/24/09 7:32 AM
Gov. Bill Richardson and the other three governors who serve in states that border Mexico sent a letter (pdf) to congressional leaders Wednesday, urging them to “fully fund the National Guard Counter-Drug Program to add additional personnel to the four southwest border states and ensure that his funding remains sufficient to reach a significant decline in border drug trafficking and violence.”
Richardson, the only Democrat border-governor since Janet Napolitano resigned her position as Arizona governor to become head of the Department of Homeland Security, joined Governors Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA), Janice Brewer (R-AZ) and Rick Perry (R-TX) in sending the letter to U.S. House and Senate leaders.
“The support our National Guard offers federal authorities along the border is critical to stemming the flow of drugs in and weapons out,” Richardson said. “As the violence associated with drug and weapons trafficking continues to intensify, it is clear that we need additional manpower.”
So what sort of support does New Mexico get from the National Guard troops patrolling the border? From the press release:
The 109 New Mexico National Guard Counter-Drug personnel conduct air surveillance operations with three helicopters, provide the eyes to monitor remote border cameras and assist in monitoring bypass routes around main highway Customs and Border Patrol checkpoints.
The letter says that the governors “are fully confident that the flow of illegal drugs and associated violence can be best addressed by increasing the capacity of Counter-Drug Program.”
The letter says that the National Guardsman “are not employed in any form of combat or maneuver role.” In other words, the governors say, the troops are not engaged in any military behavior.
And it isn’t just along the borders either, according to the governors.
Increasing the number of National Guard personnel to support these southwestern border law enforcement agencies is a priority, but we also need to maintain, and in some areas increase, the support to local law enforcement throughout the rest of our states where cross-border drug trafficking organizations are known to exist. Currently, there is more demand for support from local, state and federal authorities than our National Guard programs can actually meet.
http://newmexicoindependent.com/25834/richardson-urges-more-funding-for-national-guard-troops-on-us
From the state’s Dept. of Health & Public Welfare:
“Don’t get sick.”
[/sarc][/cynic]
LOL.
You asking his dishonor to have some cooth, some integrity, some patriotism . . . some sanity???
LOL.
Sounds like trying to gild turds with gold, to me.
My first question is "What cohort or batch of cohorts of King Bill is standing in line waiting to get their greasy palms filled with this "funding for National Guard troops"?
UPDATE:
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
Human Swine Influenza Investigation
April 25, 2009 1:00 p.m. ET
Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the U.S. in San Diego County and Imperial County, California as well as in San Antonio, Texas. Internationally, human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in Mexico.
U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
State # of laboratory
confirmed cases
California 6 cases
Texas 2 cases
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
See: World Health Organization
As of April 25th, 2009 11:00 a.m. ET
Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with similar swine influenza viruses.
CDC is working very closely with state and local officials in California, Texas, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. On April 24th, CDC deployed 7 epidemiologists to San Diego County, California and Imperial County, California and 1 senior medical officer to Texas to provide guidance and technical support for the ongoing epidemiologic field investigations. CDC has also deployed to Mexico 1 medical officer and 1 senior expert who are part of a global team that is responding to the outbreak of respiratory illnesses in Mexico.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. There are many things you can to do preventing getting and spreading influenza:
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
WHO.INT
http://www.who.int
#
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_20090425/en/index.html
WHO > Programmes and projects > Media centre > Statements 2009
Main content
Statement by WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan
25 April 2009
Swine influenza
Related link
Health topic: financial crisis and global health
Current WHO phase of pandemic alert
International Health Regulations (IHR)
In response to cases of swine influenza A(H1N1), reported in Mexico and the United States of America, the Director-General convened a meeting of the Emergency Committee to assess the situation and advise her on appropriate responses.
The establishment of the Committee, which is composed of international experts in a variety of disciplines, is in compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005).
The first meeting of the Emergency Committee was held on Saturday 25 April 2009.
After reviewing available data on the current situation, Committee members identified a number of gaps in knowledge about the clinical features, epidemiology, and virology of reported cases and the appropriate responses.
The Committee advised that answers to several specific questions were needed to facilitate its work.
The Committee nevertheless agreed that the current situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
Based on this advice, the Director-General has determined that the current events constitute a public health emergency of international concern, under the Regulations.
Concerning public health measures, in line with the Regulations the Director-General is recommending, on the advice of the Committee, that all countries intensify surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia.
The Committee further agreed that more information is needed before a decision could be made concerning the appropriateness of the current phase 3.
ADDING to posts no. 11 and 12:
QUOTE:
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/tc/hand-washing-topic-overview
Hand-Washing - Topic Overview
Hand-washing is a simple and effective way to help prevent diseases, such as colds, flu, and food poisoning.
When to wash your hands
Washing hands:
Often, especially during cold and flu (influenza) season, can reduce your risk of catching or spreading a cold or the flu.
Before and after preparing or serving food reduces your risk of catching or spreading bacteria that cause food poisoning. Be especially careful to wash before and after preparing poultry, raw eggs, meat, or seafood.
After going to the bathroom or changing diapers reduces your risk of catching or spreading infectious diseases such as salmonella or hepatitis A.
Wash your hands after:
Touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean, exposed parts of your arms.
Using the bathroom.
Coughing, sneezing, or using a handkerchief or disposable tissue.
Eating, drinking, or using tobacco (for example, smoking).
Handling soiled kitchen utensils or equipment.
Handling other soiled or contaminated utensils or equipment.
Handling or preparing foods, especially after touching raw meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, or eggs.
Changing diapers, handling garbage, using the phone, shaking hands, or playing with pets.
Proper hand-washing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following steps for handwashing:
Wash your hands with hot running water and soap. Children should use warm running water.
Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds.
Pay special attention to your wrists, the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your fingernails.
Leave the water running while you dry your hands on a paper towel.
Use the paper towel as a barrier between the faucet and your clean hands when you turn off the water.
If soap and water are not available, use gel hand sanitizers or alcohol-based hand wipes containing 60% to 90% ethyl alcohol or isopropanol. Most supermarkets and drugstores carry these products. Carry one or both with you when you travel, and keep them in your car or purse.
If using the gel sanitizer, rub your hands until the gel is dry. You don’t need to use water. The alcohol in the gel kills the germs on your hands.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated: March 15, 2007
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
The PFI forum is my favorite and Fluwiki is good with news as well.
Pandemic Flu Information forum
http://www.singtomeohmuse.com/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=3eeef314c81b8e1a05e84e43594d42aa
Fluwiki
http://www.newfluwiki2.com/
Here’s FluTrackers which is good too:
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=94
PS - this is not a “scare”. It is an actual outbreak of a novel flu virus to which no one has immunity. Has elements of two swine flus (including one Eurasion type), an avian flu, and human flu. Some on PFI forum are discussing the possibility of engineering as there are unusual aspects to this virus. Apparently (and I am NO scientist!) you can’t tell by looking at the components, but the history of how these components got together gives clues.
See my above comment and do some reading at the links provided. It is not a fake “scare” and it is not exaggaterated, if anything it is being played down.
Here’s a link to the conference call the CDC had with physicians yesterday; I heard the actual call but others I have sent this link to listened on the link. I highly recommend it.
Audio of CDC call
http://www.videonewswire.com/cdc/58353/event.html
Thank you little jeremiah.
I’ve been glued to my computer for two or three days reading about this. I’ve become totally obsessed.
If this highly transmissable flu which no one has any immnuity to meets up with the regular seasonal H1N1 which is Tamiflu resistant, then it will pick that up. Then if it meets up with H5N1 in Indonesia, Egypt or China (upcoming seasonal flu season in the SOuthern Hemisphere anyway), and H5N1 picks up the easy human to human transmissibility *and* Tamiflu resistance, it’s game over.
And really, only a matter of time for those things to happen.
marking
Thanks for the two contacts concerning this flu.
It does seem strange that it would genetically consist of two varieties of swine flu, one avian flu, and one human flu. Such “strangeness” may mean engineered.
For a long time I’ve harbored a personal concern that Mexico might be used as a springboard for a bio weapon attack (smallpox in particular) against North America.
And from what I have read the seqeunces for this virus have yet to be deposited in the public gene bank for non-gov scientists to look at.
Thanks much LJ. I sure would appreciate any future pings on this as well, if you have time.
http://pandemicinformationnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/mexicos-calderon-declares-emergency.html
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aEsNownABJ6Q&refer=worldwide
#
OFF TOPIC.
Posted here for archival purposes.
“Lamenta escultor mexicano la muerte del arqueólogo Felipe Solís”
Arqueología | decesos personalidades del arte | MNA
El arqueólogo Felipe Solís Olguín. EFE
Felipe Solís Olguín, director del Museo Nacional de Antropología falleció esta mañana
El escultor Sergio Peraza tuvo oportunidad de convivir con el especialista en cultura mexica desde el año 2000
SNIPPET: “CIUDAD DE MÉXICO.- El escultor mexicano Sergio Peraza expresó sus condolencias a la familia del arqueólogo Felipe Solís Olguín, director del Museo Nacional de Antropología (MNA), quien falleció esta mañana.”
You’re welcome, Oorang. I will try to remember. I feel absolutely obsessed. Been following pandemic news for several years since I first read about it on FR. If you want your hair to stand on end, here’s a thread from FluTrackers - the comments at the end by Henry Niman are the interesting stuff, the first articles that are thick and sciency with no spaces are hard for to dive into:
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100274
Right now I’m working on a shopping and to do list for tomorrow. Since it’s now in NY and Kansas that means it can be anywhere, also crew just flew in to the UK from Mexico and area sick. Don’t know the CFR with this one but it could change easily. Because of my own health issues I get sicker than most other people and takes 4 times as long to kick, so I don’t want to get it. Going to the stores tomorrow as soon as they open in the morning to avoid crowds.
Perhaps you should wear a N95 mask tomorrow, or some sort of mask. Take care of yourself.
I’m thinking about it. The desire to not get sick trumps the desire to not look stupid. With the added benefit of a mask will keep people away! ;-)
For some time I don’t touch shopping cart handles (usually, from now on I will be totally careful). I bring a plastic bag (got it from last produce shopping) and wrap it around the cart handle. Sometimes they come off, this time I’ll bring tape too.
I also bring hand sanitizer (home made) in the car and use it constantly. Eating out? Ha ha, never.
After this one shopping trip, I’m going to stay home for a while and see what happens.
“H1N1 Swine Flu
Swine flu in 2009”
Created on Apr 21 - Updated 11 hours ago
When cases pop up in Nebraska, Iowa, and North Carolina, THEN you’ll know this is going ‘pandemic’.
UPDATE:
Quote - Snippet:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
Swine Flu
Human Swine Influenza Investigation
April 25, 2009 19:30 EDT
Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the U.S. in San Diego County and Imperial County, California as well as in San Antonio, Texas. Internationally, human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in Mexico.
U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
State # of laboratory
confirmed cases
California 7 cases
Texas 2 cases
Kansas 2 cases
TOTAL COUNT 11 cases
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
See: World Health Organization
As of April 25th, 2009 7:30 p.m. EDT
Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with similar swine influenza viruses.
CDC is working very closely with state and local officials in California, Texas, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. On April 24th, CDC deployed 7 epidemiologists to San Diego County, California and Imperial County, California and 1 senior medical officer to Texas to provide guidance and technical support for the ongoing epidemiologic field investigations. CDC has also deployed to Mexico 1 medical officer and 1 senior expert who are part of a global team that is responding to the outbreak of respiratory illnesses in Mexico.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. There are many things you can to do preventing getting and spreading influenza:
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.