CDC says too late to contain U.S. flu outbreak

Reuters ^ | 4/24/09

[Crazieman]

WASHINGTON, April 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday it was too late to contain the swine flu outbreak in the United States.

CDC acting director Dr. Richard Besser told reporters in a telephone briefing it was likely too late to try to contain the outbreak, by vaccinating, treating or isolating people.

"There are things that we see that suggest that containment is not very likely," he said.

He said the U.S. cases and Mexican cases are likely the same virus. "So far the genetic elements that we have looked at are the same." But Besser said it was unclear why the virus was causing so many deaths in deaths in Mexico and such mild disease in the United States.

[Cementjungle]

Obviously this is Bush’s fault.

[Niuhuru]

Well, another piece of bad news. Of course, the borders are going to be swamped with sick Mexicans so I imagine this will travel fast.

[happygrl]

If it's too late, then what did we pay the CDC for ?

Useless waste of money.

Be prepared.

[George from New England]

This will be the same statement issued after a nuke goes off in a US city. “We’ll it’s too late to do anything now.”

Idiots. You haven’t listened to the people for years. We want the border closed. Now, not tomorrow, right now.

[benjibrowder]

The CDC is being far too politically correct about this. They refused to say that our lack of secure border to the South is allowing the disease across our borders.

[Texas Fossil]

it was likely too late to try to contain the outbreak, by vaccinating, treating or isolating people.

7 People diagnosed with swine flue in Texas does not make an epidemic.

But he is probably right that a vaccine could not be deployed in time if an outbreak occurs.

[George from New England]

I think alot of readers will miss your source name:

Roto-Reuters

So I post it again!

[BenLurkin]

Thanks to the illegal alien abettors.

[Crazieman]

Here's the link, I forgot to paste it in my haste, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/24443479.htm

[YellowRoseofTx]

Of course, the borders are going to be swamped with sick Mexicans headed for our hospital emergency rooms and clinics, as well as being admitted to the hospitals among unsuspecting patients

[Niuhuru]

Of course, all the more easy to infect you my dear.

[ZX12R]

The CDC is being far too politically correct about this. They refused to say that our lack of secure border to the South is allowing the disease across our borders.

That might be another problem with this potential outbreak. They are skittish because of their response to something similar in 1976 (I think), where they saw a potential pandemic and released a vaccine that was bad and hurt a bunch of people. Also, the pandemic never occurred. So, they are perhaps being overly careful this time, and are fearful of saying things. Especially anything politically charged.

[neverdem]

thanks, bfl

[unkus]

What’s the politically correct way of saying “We’re screwed”?

[SFR]

It is a little scary to read this - that is it is posted after 5pm EST on Friday - always a time to post bad to very bad news.

[ZX12R]

What’s the politically correct way of saying “We’re screwed”?

Pandemically challenged?

[dfwgator]

"Remain calm....all is well."

[Mount Athos]

They say 60 people have died.

The flu has always killed lots of elderly people.

What are the ages of the people who died?

If it’s people who aren’t very old or young I’d worry more that this was a possible pandemic.

[Crazieman]

25-45 are most of the deaths