First Hand Swine Flu Data ( THIS STORY IS A HOAX: SEE LINK ABOVE)

Comal County Health Committee, Texas ^ | 1st May 2009 | Dr. Gitterle

[Candor7]

Subject: Flu Update from Dr. Gitterle

After I returned from a public health meeting yesterday with community leaders and school officials in Comal County , Heather suggested I send an update to everyone, because what we are hearing privately from the CDC and Health Department is so different from what you are hearing in the media. Some of you know some or maybe all of this, but I will just list what facts I know..

- The virus is infectious for about 2 days prior to symptom onset

- Virus sheds more than 7 days after symptom onset (possibly as long as 9 days) (this is unusual)

- Since it is such a novel (new) virus, there is no "herd immunity," so the "attack rate" is very high. This is the percentage of people who come down with a virus if exposed. Almost everyone who is exposed to this virus will become infected, though not all will be symptomatic. That is much higher than seasonal flu, which averages 10-15%. The "clinical attack rate" may be around 40-50%. This is the number of people who show symptoms. This is a huge number. It is hard to convey the seriousness of this.

- The virulence (deadliness) of this virus is as bad here as in Mexico , and there are folks on ventilators here in the US , right now. This has not been in the media, but a 23 month old near here is fighting for his life, and a pregnant woman just south of San Antonio is fighting for her life. In Mexico , these folks might have died already, but here in the US, folks are getting Tamiflu or Relenza quickly, and we have ready access to ventilators. What this means is that within a couple of weeks, regional hospitals will likely become overwhelmed.

- Some of the kids with positive cases in Comal County had more than 70 contacts before diagnosis.

- There are 10-25 times more actual cases (not "possible" cases -- actual), than what is being reported in the media. The way they fudge on reporting this is that it takes 3 days to get the confirmatory nod from the CDC on a given viral culture, but based on epidemiological grounds, we know that there are more than 10 cases for each "confirmed" case right now.

- During the night, we crossed the threshold for the definition of a WHO, Phase 6 global pandemic. This has not happened in any of our lifetimes so far. We are in uncharted territory.

- I expect President Obama will declare an emergency sometime in the next 72-96 hours. This may not happen, but if it doesn't, I will be surprised. When this happens, all public gathering will be canceled for 10 days.

- I suggest all of us avoid public gatherings. Outdoor activities are not as likely to lead to infection. It is contained areas and close contact that are the biggest risk..

- Tamiflu is running out. There is a national stockpile, but it will have to be carefully managed, as it is not enough to treat the likely number of infections when this is full-blown. I don't think there is a big supply of Relenza, but I do not know those numbers. If I had to choose, I would take Relenza, as I think it gets more drug to the affected tissue than Tamiflu.

- You should avoid going to the ER if you think you have been exposed or are symptomatic. ER's south of here are becoming overwhelmed -- and I mean that -- already. It is coming in waves, but the waves are getting bigger.

- It appears that this flu produces a distinctive "hoarseness" in many victims. The symptoms, in general, match other flu's; namely, sore throat, body aches, headache, cough, and fever. Some have all these symptoms, while others may have only one or two.

- N-Acetyl-Cysteine -- a nutritional supplement available at the health food store or Wimberley Pharmacy, has been shown to prevent or lessen the severity of influenza. I suggest 1200mg, twice a day for adults, and 600mg twice a day in kids over 12. It would be hard to get kids under 12 to take it, but you could try opening the capsules and putting it on yogurt. For 40 pounds and up, 300-600 mg twice a day, for less than 40 pounds, half that.

- Oscillococinum, a homeopathic remedy, has been vindicated as quite effective in a large clinical trial in Europe , with an H1N1 variant. You can buy this at Hill Country Natural Foods, or the Wimberley Pharmacy.

I will try to keep everyone posted if I have any new information. Meanwhile, don't be afraid just avoid infection. The fewer people infected the easier it will be for our public officials to manage it.

[oprahstheantichrist]

"... but a 23 month old near here is fighting for his life...,"

Looks like this is around a week old or so.

[ClearCase_guy]

He is saying based on the description of what 6 is rather than the actual phase? Because the actual phase is still at 5.

I saw this posted 3 or 4 days ago. The notion that "crossed the threshold" and ought to be at 6 loses credibility each day when we remain at 5.

[Lazamataz]

[steve86]

It is true that Tamiflu is back-ordered at many pharmacies but there is sufficient inventory coming through the distribution pipeline.

[Candor7]

Herd immunity is poulation immunity from previous wide ranging seasonal flu infections. It has nothing to do with politics.

We have no herd immunity which means 40% to 50% of us will likely get this virus.

Not to panic. Just stock up on the medicines that will strengthen you. Avoid the rush.

[vox_freedom]

I call BS.

Sounds like something on Snopes, including the baby on a ventilator and anonymous this and that... Oh, and buy this homeopathic "remedy" too. BS is right.

[D-fendr]

This doctor has since pulled back from his contention that information was being withheld on this virus.

He’s also a bit wacky, IMHO, with some of his homeopathic recommendations and other areas.

He’s also been contradicted on the email’s contention of the severity of the strain by researchers a great deal more expert in the field than he.

This panic email is harmful to the public, irresponsible and I hope the doctor is called to account before the proper boards.

[Hot Tabasco]

We are not getting the true picture froom the MSM.

I agree! We're getting too darn much info bordering on hysteria.........

[Pete]

This is interesting

http://www.mahalo.com/Dr._Marcus_Gitterle

[cgbg]

We will be at 6 soon enough.

Hint--do a google search on the New Zealand cases.

[east1234]

any side effects to this? It’s 25 times the RDA.

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

Why are you posting this like it is real?

IT IS A HOAX!

[Rightly Biased]

. I googled Dr. Gitterle. Here’s what I found. He is a M.D. practicing in New Braunfels (600 N. Union Ave.), and apparently living in Wimberley. He is however, in my estimation, a little wacky. He is a tree hugger, global warming, zero-carbon wacko, who has invented the 21 Century Margarita Mix and an amazing Cardio Formula Capsule with a special secret ingredient! You can buy three bottles today for the special price of $99.00. He graduated from U.T. Medical School, but looks more like a snake oil salesman to me. He may know what he’s talking about, but I’m not sure.

Check these out:

http://www.relocalize.net/node/4588

https://dtshop.net/fitarita/index.htm

http://www.cardiosecret.com/

[China Clipper]

"Oscillococinum, a homeopathic remedy, has been vindicated as quite effective in a large clinical trial in Europe , with an H1N1 variant. You can buy this at Hill Country Natural Foods, or the Wimberley Pharmacy."

Good.

Now, good luck trying to find it in the stores.......

BTDT........

[Vigilanteman]

Cute graphic. Here's a hint for when Tamiflu runs out. Tamiflu is made from an Asian plant called anise. Anise is also used in a lot of high class confectionaries, notably the good black licorice. It is also used in the better root beer extracts.

Those of us who have spent anytime in Japan or certain other northeast Asian countries know this because root beer and black licorice are NOT popular with the natives. Their normal reaction is "tastes like medicine." Read your ingredient labels carefully when you buy. If anise is listed among the first ingredients listed then buy it.

[Skooz]

My suspicians exactly.

And, yes, I know all about the 1918-1919 influenza outbreak.

[Pete]

Here is more. It claims to be a clarifying statement from the doctor. (Although, there is no way to tell if he actually said this)

http://www.journal-post.com/2009/04/dr-marcus-gitterles-e-mail.html

[Raebie]

bookmark

[dawn53]

N-Acetyl-Cysteine -- a nutritional supplement available at the health food store or Wimberley Pharmacy, has been shown to prevent or lessen the severity of influenza. I suggest 1200mg, twice a day for adults, and 600mg twice a day in kids over 12. It would be hard to get kids under 12 to take it, but you could try opening the capsules and putting it on yogurt. For 40 pounds and up, 300-600 mg twice a day, for less than 40 pounds, half that - Oscillococinum, a homeopathic remedy, has been vindicated as quite effective in a large clinical trial in Europe , with an H1N1 variant. You can buy this at Hill Country Natural Foods, or the Wimberley Pharmacy..

Does he happen to own Wimberley Pharmacy??? Sort of a weird memo to suggest a particular pharmacy.

[eddie willers]

WHO says confirmed flu cases total 331, 10 deaths
04:40 AM EDT

GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization said on Friday that as of 0600 GMT the number of officially confirmed cases of a new flu sweeping around the world was 331 in 11 countries, including 10 deaths.

The figures for what the WHO calls influenza A (H1N1), widely known as swine flu, include 109 confirmed cases with one death in the United States and 156 confirmed cases with nine deaths in Mexico, it said in a statement on its website.

Other countries with laboratory-confirmed cases are Austria (1), Canada (34), Germany (3), Israel (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (3), Spain (13), Switzerland (1) and United Kingdom (8).

Other estimates of infection are higher. For instance Mexico says up to 176 people have died there and the authorities have confirmed 12 deaths.