POSTED: May 6, 2010

Perelandra Health Watch Bulletin
SWINE FLU

by Machaelle Wright
Perelandra, Center for Nature Research

I've been holding off sending this update to you because, quite frankly, many people are experiencing "pandemic fatigue." It's clear that things have calmed down considerably in most areas of the northern hemisphere. "Pandemic fatigue" historically occurs during the period before a third wave. In the northern hemisphere this is right where we find ourselves: after a second wave and before a potential third wave. So I've backed off a bit, hoping to let us all have a breather. Unfortunately, several things have occurred that I want to make you aware of.

Since late April, there have been H1N1 developments in the Southeastern region of the U.S.: Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, southeast Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Virginia. But there has also been activity reported in Hawaii and New Mexico. Hospitals in these areas are reporting that there is an increasing number of people showing up with lab-confirmed Swine Flu. Many of these people have other chronic medical conditions such as asthma. This is an unexpected development and trend. Flu cases don't normally increase in number in April but hospitals in Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina reported major jumps in activity starting in April. A couple of weeks ago the 22-year-old nephew of one of my staff died of Swine Flu after being in the hospital in Georgia for a month. He had asthma, but otherwise he had been a strong and healthy young man. I pass along to you this tragedy that has touched us so that you can better see that H1N1 is still around and demands our attention.

Internationally, WHO is reporting that H1N1 remains the most prominent influenza virus in Asia, Africa, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. Each of these countries have reported an increasing trend in H1N1 activity starting in March.

There is no guarantee that there will be a full-blown third-wave outbreak. However, in light of the recent information on increasing flu activity, I'm now recommending that we all continue to take FSBS+ TWICE daily. Also continue taking the MBP Balancing Solutions that are recommended for H1N1. This virus isn't finished yet and it's still causing serious problems for some people. So instead of backing off our preparations because of "pandemic fatigue," let's continue to keep our body systems strong and remain "pandemic careful" (don't sneeze in your hands, wash your hands frequently, don't go to work / classes if you feel sick, etc.).