Otay, completely off topic for a minute boyz n girlz, but this rates your full attention!

A new flu called Human Swine Influenza threatens to become pandemic in the US.

You should read up on your state's disaster response plan for preparing for and dealing with a pandemic flu NOW.

I think that we are behind the curve on this outbreak.

There is a seed stock of a vaccine that will help, but it takes months to go from seed stock to delivery, and based on the spread reported in the last ten days delivery months from now will be way too late... and they haven't even decided to mass-produce the vaccine from the seed stock yet.

New cases of human swine flu reported today in 2 more states, NY and KS.

200 kids sick in 1 New York school, 8 out of 9 of those cases tested by CDC were positive for human swine flu.

See http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/25/mexico-flu-outbreak-has-pandemic-potential/

Cases found in Kansas were added to the list overnight.

Mexico is in serious trouble with this one and our border is porous... what's happening there will happen here.

I urge everyone to take a worst-case-scenario approach to preparing for this new swine flu.

If a pandemic doesn't happen, great... we'll know how to implement our disaster plan for when it does.

If it does happen and we are prepared we can lessen the impact... but not being prepared is inexcusable!

The plans at these links are out of date and focus on avian flu, but the basic info for dealing with a pandemic flu is there:

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/states/alabama.html

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/index.html

More info available on my website - http://w4aga.com/forums

Ed

By TheAlabamaRambler

TheAlabamaRambler is Ed Manley, husband to GeoRose (Teresa), father of five wonderful humans, grandfather of two more, and an avid geocacher.

Now retired after a decade in the US Navy followed by 28 years of owning and operating Knowledge Management Systems, an IT consultancy specializing in Workflow Analysis and Business Process Improvement, Ed now has the time to pursue his hobbies: Fishing, Geocaching and Ham Radio... the order of importance changes daily!

He is also W4AGA, an Extra-class Amateur Radio Operator with a passion for serving the public through volunteer disaster-relief preparedness and response. Active as a Communicator and Disaster Relief Chaplain in the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief, American Red Cross (Shelter Manager and ARCHIE Team Lead), the Salvation Army Team Emergency Relief Network (SATERN), Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES AEC - Jefferson County Assistant Emergency Coordinator and OES - Operational Emergency Station) and Assisatant Director of the Zamora Shriners Ham Unit, he can be found on HF daily on 3.965 and on VHF on the Birmingham Amateur Radio Club (BARC) repeater on 146.88.

If you have any interest whatsoever in serving and giving back to your community, saving lives and taking part in the wonderful community of amateur radio please visit http://w4aga.com to learn about the many volunteer opportunities.

Ed is the Editor-In-Chief (sounds high-fallutin, don't it?) of the free online geocaching e-zine The Online Geocacher. He can be contacted via email at mailto:TheAlabamaRambler@gmail.com or by phone at 205-914-6814 from 7 a.m. to Midnight CDT.

73 de W4AGA