Realities on the Ground in Mexico ’s Swine Flu

By Gideon F. For-mukwai, CEM

According to Dr. Juan Manuel Fraga in Queretaro, Mexico, a sense of optimism is returning to the city. One in ten people wears face mask on April 29, 2009. A day before, 0ne person in three or four had a face mask. It is a sign the tide is changing. Dr. Fraga is an emergency physician and professor at a local University.

He spent his day work, while his two boys can’t go to school. His wife goes to the market without the boys. Like most people, she can go out for shopping, after a few days of fear and isolation.

He credits the media for encouraging people not to panic. Locally, he has observes the authorities are not as effetive as the federal authorities in managing the incident. Meanwhile the federal authorities are more systematic, the local authorities are a bit laxed on procedures and in enforcing proper procedures.

Because he spends most of his day at work at Emergencia, sometimes, he uses facebook to give some basic advice to his patients. He added that Mexicans have been using social media to poke a little fun at each other to lighten up the heavy stress of the disastter in Mexico.

Dr. Fraga wears multiple hats. I first got to know him as a member of International Association of Emergency Management (IAEM) in 2004. Today, he is the Country Representative for IAEM in Mexico and he has been feeding the emergency management world with lots of updates on the swine flu. He teaches at a local University and works of course as an emergency physician.

If you have a specific question to ask about the realities on the ground, leave us a comment and we ‘ll be happy to forward to Dr. Fraga.

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Washoe County Gets First Swine Flu Case in Nevada

Gideon F. For-mukwai, CEM

A pre-school in Washoe County, has become the first place in Nevada to have a confirmed case of swine flu. Fundamentals Pre-School, a daycare in Reno was informed by authorities that one of its students, a two years old, was sick of swine flu.

Even though the toddler ’s situation is improving, this has suddenly put the spotlight on Washoe School District in terms of what kind of response they will embrace in the days ahead. The two year old had a fever with temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit and her mother is currently sick.

In the meantime, the school authorities said on local Channel 4 Tv that they have initiated a disinfection response plan to limit any possibility of cross-contamination.

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Africa Embracing Social Media in Times of Crisis

Social Media in Africa

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Swine Flu Response Well Alive on Social Media

We are all witnessing a significant coverage of the swine flu disaster on the social media like never before.  From twitter, to facebook, to youtube, there are lots of stories. 

The question is, is this good for emergency management and for our communities?

• I would say Yes, to a very large extent. Social media does offer a new dimension to inform, to keep people safer.
• It does allow us to react faster, instead of depending on press releases which sometimes take longer
• Not withstanding all these advantages, watch out for people who may take advantage of this openess of social media.

Lets keep the doors open but also watch for trouble makers sneaking in or out.

For more about regular updates, check out: swine flu alive in social media domain

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Authorities Acting Decisively in Swine Flu

airport checks

• Schools, churches and public gatherings have been closed in three states according to my friend, Dr. Juan Fraga, emergency physician in Mexico.
• Over 1.5 million treatments are being administered in Mexico, mainly in the hospitals around the country

Statistics:

• About  80 people are reported dead people, 20 from confirmed swine flu,
• Over 1314 suspicious cases of swine flu
• Private and public hospitals are packed with people with mild common cold symptoms or diarrhea thinking they have flu
• In US, I watched on Good Morning America, a family quarantined in Texas. Quarantines from my experience in Asia, are very effective in curbing spread
• Not many healthcare providers have been affected, at least 2 confirmed cases and 1 suspicious case.

 In an email communication, Dr. Fraga, stated, “I have been called by at least 30 patients in the last two days, none of them with flu”.”

My Fears:

Lots of people will crowd into the hospital with minor even when they have minor signs of flu. This will add stress to the medical facilities and that could spill over to the US

If lots of people stay home, as it is reported by my friend, the economy will suffer. 

When fear takes over the public spaces like theaters, schools, churches, it can amount to significant breakdown in the fabric of society. Let hope this does not happen or spread to US

How About Your Spring Trip to Mexico?

Are you concerned about your business trip or Spring trip to Mexico? Do not be overly concerned yet.

There is no travel advisory yet, but it will be worthwhile checking out the State Department ’s site if the situation gets worse.

Will give you more updates later today.

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