Please Note: the information in this blog post is only correct as of Tuesday 6th May 2009 and will not be updated as more information becomes available.For those coming to Summer Solstice Sadhana 2009 in Española, New Mexico (Between June 18 – June 27, 2009), I thought you may be interested to be aware of the current developing situation of H1N1 Swine Flu there. I've been keeping tabs on this from the New Mexico's Department of Health Page.
Firstly, for those who may be visiting New Mexico for the first time, New Mexico is not Mexico, where the H1N1 flu originated. New Mexico is a state of USA, whereas Mexico is a country. From each other the two places are around 2064 kilometers or 1283 miles apart (1), and so should not be confused together. New Mexico consists of 33 counties (5), and Española, where the Summer Solstice Sadhana takes place, sits between Rio Arriba County and Santa Fe County.
As of Tuesday 5th May 2009, currently in the state of New Mexico there are 3 confirmed cases of H1N1 and the New Mexico Department of Health is investigating a total of 24 probable cases (3). The 3 confirmed cases include an 18 year old male from Valencia County, and a 14 year old female and 15 year old male both from Sorocco County. All 3 of the confirmed people with the flu have since recovered (4). Thus, in the state of New Mexico no one has yet died from the virus.
The majority of the 24 probable cases are being investigated in Hidalgo County and Eddy County, totalling 15. In Española, which is in between Rio Arriba County and Santa Fe County, there are currently no probable or confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus (4).
Also, to put the H1N1 influenza into the wider context of USA, New Mexico only accounts for 0.5% of cases in USA (2). The death rate of the H1N1 influenza in USA is 2 out of 642 confirmed cases (2). In other words, 1 out of every 321 people who contract the H1N1 influenza in the USA actually die. Both of the deaths from H1N1 happened in the state of Texas (2). As a comparison, in the USA every month on average 5310 people die from pneumonia/influenza, or 63,730 annually (6).
Put into context therefore, my personal unprofessional opinion is that the H1N1 virus is not as dangerous as the media has made out and does not pose as big a threat yet as other viruses out there. Nevertheless, prevention is better than cure, and so although there are no cases of H1N1 in Española, New Mexico yet, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following guidelines to limit the spread of the virus and stop it turning into a pandemic:
- 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.
- Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Sources
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