St Lucia Estuary
iSimangaliso Wetlands Park
Something went adrift
St Lucia Estuary Beach
•September 6, 2017 • Leave a CommentSommer so..
•November 20, 2009 • Comments Off on Sommer so..Subject: Woorde van wysheid deur Nataniel..
Wees altyd dankbaar vir alles wat jy het en lewe eenvoudig.
Hoe minder goeters jy het, hoe minder wharries het jy ..
en hoe lekkerder slaap jy!
Wees onvoorwaardelik lief vir jou gesin en familie en aanvaar
elkeen presies net soos hy/sy daar is ..vriende kan jy kies, familie nie!
Moenie toelaat dat jou brein muf met ‘issues’ soos onvergewensgesindheid,
skuldgevoelens of grudges nie …sorteer alle stront uit nog voor die son sak!
Hardloop jou lewens-spiedomitir in die rooi …help waar jy kan en
lewe voluit terwyl jy nog lewe in jou het ..’use it – or lose it’!
Geniet die eenvoudige dinge. Die ‘image’-goed en ‘keeping up with
the Jones’ is sommer ‘n pot snot ...hulle (die Jones’) sit in elk geval nou
in Ozzie.
Al wys die ‘replay’ duidelik dat hy verkeerd is …maak vrede met
die ref se beslissings en jy sal dadelik beter voel!
Vermy bedompige gyms wat stink na yuppie-spray waar hooter-neuse
in snaakse Star Wars klere soos hamsters op gevriesde fietse sit en trap
…kry oefening deur te gaan stap langs die see of in die veld of ‘n rêrige
fiets te ry ..doen iets in die buitelug, maar moenie in die strate op en af
draf nie, dis ‘common’ en maak ander mense skuldig voel.
As jy ‘n ‘no-name brand’ T-Shirt sien wat jy laaik, koop dit …na
moer met die name-goed wat jy in elk geval nie kan bekostig nie –
solank dit net gemaklik pas. Laat andere maar hul geld mors op goed wat hulle
vals selfvertroue in hul eie plestiek-wêreld gee!
Lag dikwels …lank en lekker, dit hou jou gesond! Haal diep asem,
drink meer water as wat jy moet en kou jou kos fyn.
Eet meer van die goed wat mens pluk of uit die grond grawe.
Behou jou grapgat vrinne en vermy die suurgatte …
hulle is ‘demoralising’ en trek jou af na hulle vlak.
Jou huis is jou plek en daar leef jy soos JY wil, too hell met die
snobs ..en die beste kar is een wat klaar betaal is!
Stel God EERSTE en alle ander goed sal self in plek val ..
.hê geloof!
Sê vir mense dat jy vir hulle omgee ..môre trek jy dalk jou
hout-jas aan, dan’s dit te laat..
Miss Universe 2009..
•August 14, 2009 • Leave a Comment
Miss Universe 2009 swimsuit photos
Miss Sweden Renate Cerljen blows a kiss to the crowd during a swimsuit event in Freeport, Grand Bahama island Aug. 9, 2009. Contestants from 84 countries will compete for the coveted crown of Miss Universe 2009 on August 23. Tim Aylen/ AP
Miss Dominican Republic Ada de la Cruz
Miss Ukraine Kristina Kots-Gotlib.
Miss Ecuador Sandra Vinces
Miss Germany Martina Lee
The Pageant
2009 Miss Universe Pageant
- > Host Country
- > Host Hotel
- > Venue
- > Tickets
- > Hosts
- > Judges
- > Performances
- > Calendar of Events
Imperial Ballroom
Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
The 58th Annual MISS UNIVERSE competition will be held LIVE from Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas on Sunday, August 23rd on NBC and Telemundo at 9 PM (ET).
More: Teen Choice Awards Photos |
Swine flu vaccine on track..
•August 14, 2009 • Leave a CommentHIGHLIGHTS
| Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
Pandemic influenza in pregnant women 31 July 2009 Understanding the evolving situation 24 July 2009 |
Keystone/EPA/ZHOU CHAO |
Ensuring the safety of pandemic vaccines
6 August 2009 — WHO (WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION) is aware of some media reports that have expressed concern about the safety of vaccines for pandemic influenza. The public needs to be reassured that regulatory procedures in place for the licensing of pandemic vaccines, including procedures for expediting regulatory approval, are rigorous and do not compromise safety or quality controls.
WHO: Swine flu vaccine on track:
LONDON — Swine flu vaccine manufacturers are on track to start delivering the first batches of it in September, the World Health Organization said Thursday.
Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO’s vaccine director, said several drug makers have started testing swine flu vaccine in humans, and that early safety results should be available next month, clearing the way for its use. Kieny also insisted that speeding the vaccine to the market will not compromise its safety.
WHO has recommended the first recipients of the vaccine be health care workers, perhaps followed by pregnant women and people with underlying health problems.
Kieny said WHO expects to see reports of side effects once the vaccine is given to millions of people, but that deadly side effects will be rare. Vaccines commonly provoke reactions such as nausea, fever, pain from the injection, and diarrhea.
She said the agency would work with country officials to detect any sign the vaccine might cause more worrying side effects, like Guillain Barre syndrome, a temporary paralysis disorder reported by hundreds of people after the U.S.’s disastrous 1976 immunization campaign against another variant of swine flu.
To fight the current pandemic , or global outbreak, half a dozen major pharmaceutical companies located in the United States, Europe and Australia are developing their own swine flu vaccines, which will have to be approved by drug regulatory authorities in each country where they are used.
It is the first time that companies have rushed to produce a vaccine within months to fight a flu pandemic. Health officials expect swine flu to surge in the fall, with the return of the regular flu season.
On Wednesday, Swiss drug maker Novartis said it had begun testing its swine flu vaccine in Europe, and would begin selling it long before completing its safety tests next year.
Last month, Australian pharmaceutical CSL started trials on its vaccine candidate.
Kieny said ongoing tests in Australia, China, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States should inform officials how many doses of the vaccine are required. Many experts think people will need two shots to be protected.
Europe and the U.S. both have fast-track approval systems to make the swine flu vaccine available before extensive safety tests are completed.
In a statement on its Web site, WHO said Thursday “the public needs to be reassured” that procedures for approving swine flu vaccines “are rigorous and do not compromise safety or quality controls.”
To increase the global supply of swine flu vaccines, WHO recommends that countries use ones containing adjuvants, a component that stretches the vaccine’s active ingredient and boosts the body’s immune response. Adjuvants are commonly used in flu vaccines in Europe, but there are no licensed flu vaccines with adjuvants in the U.S.
There is little or no information on how safe flu vaccines with adjuvants are in pregnant women and children — two of the groups most at risk in the pandemic.
Kieny dismissed concerns adjuvanted vaccines might not be ideal for groups such as pregnant women. “We see no apparent safety signal,” she said. “There is no safety concern with using adjuvanted vaccine.”
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. By MARIA CHENG (AP) – 3 days ago
Aspirin..
•August 14, 2009 • Leave a CommentWhy keep aspirin by your
bedside?
About Heart Attacks There are other symptoms of an heart attack besides
the pain on the left arm. One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating, however these symptoms may also occur less frequently.
Note: There may be no pain in the chest during a heart attack. The majority of people (about 60%) who had a heart attack during their sleep, did not wake up.
However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep. If that happens, immediately dissolve two aspirins in your mouth and swallow them with a bit of water.
Afterwards:
– phone a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by – say “heart attack!” – say that you have taken 2 aspirins.
– take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for their arrival and…
~ do NOT lie down ~
Heart Attack Warning Signs:
A heart attack is a frightening event, and you probably don’t want to think about it. But, if you learn the signs of a heart attack and what steps to take, you can save a life–maybe your own. What are the signs of a heart attack? Many people think a heart attack is sudden and intense, like a “movie” heart attack, where a person clutches his or her chest and falls over.
The truth is that many heart attacks start slowly, as a mild pain or discomfort. If you feel such a symptom, you may not be sure what’s wrong. Your symptoms may even come and go. Even those who have had a heart attack may not recognize their symptoms, because the next attack can have entirely different ones. Women may not think they’re at risk of having a heart attack–but they are.
Learn more about women and heart attack. It’s vital that everyone learn the warning signs of a heart attack.
Learn the signs–but also remember: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, you should still have it checked out. Fast action can save lives-maybe your own.
- Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath. Often comes along with chest discomfort. But it also can occur before chest discomfort.
- Other symptoms. May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness Learn the signs–but also remember: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, you should still have it checked out. Fast action can save lives-maybe your own.
Good wife..?
•August 14, 2009 • Leave a Comment
An A
ctual 1955
Housekeeping M
o
nthly article?
- Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.
- Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you’ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.
- Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
- Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.
- During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
- Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.
- Be happy to see him.
- Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
- Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first – remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
- Don’t greet him with complaints and problems.
- Don’t complain if he’s late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.
- Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
- Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
- Don’t ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
- A good wife always knows her place.
If it sounds to good to be true…it probably is!
Note: This article may actually be fake!!!… See Snopes.
Investigations propose that the guide may be a hoax. According to snopes.com, the wording “The Advertising Archives” located on the right side of the image suggests a fraud, since the Archives itself was not started until 1990. Additionally, the image used is claimed to be from a 1957 cover of John Bull magazine.
The “Good Wife” version of this image appears to be cropped just below where the textbox containing the words “WOMAN AT THE WHEEL” appeared on the John Bull cover image. One source claims that the text of this article has been circulating since at least the 1980s via fax.
This looks more like it!!!!
BACON..?
•August 14, 2009 • Leave a CommentBacon Bandages
Heal your wounds with bacon! Wait… with bacon? The makers of the Bacon Bandages ($3.50) maybe be weird but, they are onto something. Each tin of Bacon Bandages comes with 15 sterile adhesive strips cut into the bacon shape and a free toy.
Bacon Wallet
Put some meat into your pockets with this intriguing Bacon Wallet ($8.22). Now you can truly be the man who “brings home the bacon
All About Nuts..?
•August 14, 2009 • Leave a Comment
Your testicles, or testis, some even refer to them as their nuts, are very sensitive sexual organs nestled in the male scrotum.
Doesn’t take much to cause these little balls pain, and sometimes this pain may be felt clear up into the abdomen…
Anytime, you experience sudden, severe testicular pain,
immediate medical attention is advised.
For some testicle conditions, abdominal pain may be noticed prior to testis pain,
for example testicular torsion.
Testicular torsion means testicle twisting, which may cut off the blood supply resulting in tissue death. This type of torsion most often occurs in young men (age 10 – 20), and requires emergency treatment. This condition can lead to infertility if left untreated.
Some other common causes of testis pain are:
- injury
- infection
- inflammation
Scrotum and
testicular pain may also be caused by a hernia or unrelieved erection.
Testicular and scrotum swelling and inflammation is often a result of epididymitis and orchitis.
Epididymitis is inflammation of your sperm ducts, commonly caused by a bacteria infection such as chlamydia. Orchitis is inflammation of the testicles, caused by a bacteria or virus infection like the mumps.
Orchitis may occur simultaneously with epididymitis or prostatitis. And can be a complication of Familial Mediterranean fever.
Fluid accumulation in your testicles is known to cause painless swelling, and the main causes for this build up include:
- varicocele ~ enlarged veins in your scrotum
- spermatocele ~ cysts in epididymis, often containing dead sperm
- hydrocele ~ fluid in scrotum surrounding your testis, and is common in newborns
Testicular cancer is typically painless, so all testicle lumps need to be checked out by your doctor.
Blue balls is a temporary condition caused by fluid congestion in the testicles and prostate area.
The primary causes are:
- sexual transmitted disease (STD)
- orgasm failure in a sexually stimulated male
Treatment for your blue balls caused by arousal is ejaculation.
So how does one one know when to seek medical treatment for their
nuts issue? Well, the guidelines for paying a doctor a visit go like this. Emergency treatment if:
- sudden or severe pain
- nausea or vomiting accompanying pain
- injury or trauma to your scrotum, with pain lasting more than 1 hour
Doctor contacted as soon as possible if:
For those experiencing testicle, testis, balls,
testicular, scrotum pain and swelling not in the above categories, these steps will provide healthy healing support:
- apply ice to your scrotum
- wear an athletic supporter
- warm baths for inflammation
- OTC pain and inflammation relievers ~ acetaminophen or ibuprofen
For all you healthY Nuts, 
keep your jock strap clean to avoid
that itchy irritation of jock itch.
“ Ball scratching does not attract ;
“blue ball” relieving women.”
***********
- Prostate Cancer Cause, Animal Fat Risks and Treatments
- What is a Prostrate and Overview of Its Most Common Problems
- Erectile Dysfunction Cause for Sexual Impotence Drug Treatment Erection Cure
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Cause for Enlarged Prostate and Pee (Urination) Problems
Are you experiencing swollen lump pain in your testicle?
Yep, paying a visit to our health care professional is mandatory.
And this is why:
Testicular cancer forms in your testicles, most originating in immature sperm producing cells. Cancer in the testicles is considered rare, yet it is the most common form of cancer affecting younger men under the age of 40.
The lion’s share of
testicular cancer cases are treatable, especially if discovered early.
Swollen testicle lump, pain or no pain, is a “not to be ignored” frequent symptom of cancer in
your testicle. Some further signs and symptoms are:
- fatigue
- swollen scrotum
- scrotum heaviness
- testicle enlargement
- breast enlarge, tender
- general unwell feeling
- groin, abdominal dull ache
- testicle, scrotum discomfort
- change in how your testicle feels
- sudden scrotum fluid accumulation
Cancer usually only strikes one testicle. Moreover, other conditions can cause these same symptoms, so have it checked out before you freak out.
Testicular cancer’s cause is still unknown, but a higher incidence occurs in men who have:
- family history
- Klinefelter syndrome
- undescended testicle
- abnormal testicle development
Testicular cancer is also more frequent in white men. BTW, there is no link between a vasectomy and cancer in a testicle.
Once you have your cancer diagnosis for your “little boys” testicle, you need to consider banking some of your sperm swimmers before embarking on treatment. Infertility is a very real treatment outcome possibility.
The options for treating your
testicular cancer depend on several factors, like:
- type
- stage
- your preferences
- your overall health
Seminomas and nonseminomas are the two main types of swollen testicle lump pain cancer.
Seminoma’s bio is:
- slow growth
- typically just in the testes
- usually in 30-40s age group
- can spread to your lymph nodes
Nonseminoma is a more prevalent type of
testicular cancer. Plus it tends to grow quicker, so don’t procrastinate getting to your doc and sperm bank.
Your options for treatment generally involve:
- surgery ~ complete testicle removal is primary form
- surgical removal of groin lymph nodes might be necessary
- radiation therapy ~ if you have the seminoma type of
testicular cancer
Chemotherapy might be recommended after surgery. Stem cell transplant is in the research phase for advanced testicular cancer.
Secondary testicular tumors that spread to your testicle from another organ, and ofttimes come from these forms of cancers :
Some of these carry along a poor prognosis because of the greater likelihood that other organs are within the loop as well. As previously mentioned,
testicular cancer is highly treatable with early discovery. Therefore, regular self exams boost your chances of stumbling upon a budding tumor.
A self exam, or perhaps your life’s partner exam, is encouraged monthly.
The best time to execute a self exam is after a warm bath or shower,
because warmth relaxes your scrotum.
A relaxed scrotum makes anything out of the
ordinary more apparent during your testicle probe.
Steps for self exam are as follows:
- Check your testicles individually, using both hands.
- Cup your scrotum with one hand to see if there is any change from the way it feels normally.
- Place your index and middle fingers under and thumb on top of a testicle.
- Gently roll this testicle, feeling for any lumps in or on the side.
- Repeat with the other testicle.
- Feel along the soft tube behind your testicles (epididymis) for swelling.
Your testicles should be smooth and firm. If you feel any bumps,
lumps or swelling pain get with your health professional ASAP!
FYI: It’s perfectly normal for one of your testicles to be a bit larger than the other.
- Jock Itch: Keep Your Jock Strap Clean
- What is a Prostrate and Overview of Its Most Common Problems
- Prostatitis Cause of Prostate Inflammation and More Frequent, Burning Urination
- Erectile Dysfunction Cause for Sexual Impotence Drug Treatment Erection Cure
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Cause for Enlarged Prostate and Pee (Urination) Problems
- Scrotum, Testicle, Testis, Blue Balls, Nuts, Testicular Pain Causes for Swollen Testicles Treatment
- Pancreatic Cancer Causes Fatigue, Abdominal Pain, Jaundice, Weight Loss Symptoms for Treatment
This site designed for informational purposes ONLY.
Visit your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Life Belt..
•August 14, 2009 • Leave a Comment
life belt..
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water!
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and,
dinner like a beggar…..
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and …
eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
“salvage your own piece of the planet”
4. Live with the 3 E’s — “Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy”
5. Make time for prayer.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did last year!
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day .
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day –
– and while you walk, smile! —
Personality:
11. Don’t compare your life to others’.
You have no idea what their journey is all about..
12. Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.
Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment!
13. Don’t over do…; keep your limits..
14. Don’t take yourself so seriously.. no one else does..
15. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with,
his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate!
20. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear
and fade away like algebra class,
but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
community:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70
& under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you, is none of your business.
31. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick.
Your family and friends will.. Stay in touch!
Life:
32. Do the right things.
33. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up!
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So,
Be Happy!!!
Swine fever..
•August 14, 2009 • Leave a CommentSwine fever: (Afr: Varkgriep)
its origins and symptoms to look out for:
As the virus spreads across the globe,
fears of a pandemic are rising – but where did the disease come from and what can be done?
FIRST POSTED APRIL 28, 2009
With cases of swine flu now cropping up across the globe the World Health Organisation has raised its pandemic warning from a two to a four on a scale of six – at level four there is a significant increase in risk.
In Britain there have now been confirmed cases and Cobra, the government’s emergency committee, has met to discuss its plans. Already the Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Mexico and holiday companies First Choice and Thomson have stopped flights to Mexico.
There have also been confirmed cases in the US, Canada, Spain, New Zealand and Israel – and more are expected. In Mexico, where the outbreak was first reported, the number of probable deaths has risen to 159.
WHAT IS THE VIRUS?
It is a flu virus that affects pigs, often hitting farms in autumn and winter. It rarely spreads to humans. But when it does, the outbreak begins with someone being in contact with an infected pig.
Flu viruses have the ability to mutate quickly,
and pigs provide an excellent host for this. The new version has developed the ability to spread among humans, who then infect each other through coughing and sneezing. It cannot be spread by eating pork or pork products.
This outbreak has been caused by a version of the H1N1 strain of influenza type A. It is the same strain as causes flu outbreaks in humans, however the new version contains genetic material from strains of the virus that affect humans, birds and swine.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The symptoms are the same as with normal flu: fever, coughing, sore throat, body aches. Several of those diagnosed with swine flu after trips to Mexico mistook the first signs as the effects of jetlag.
Some patients have also reported diarrhoea and vomiting. In Mexico, those who have died suffered from pneumonia and respiratory failure.
Victims will have a temperature, and many airports are fitting scanners so that people arriving from affected areas with a fever can be quarantined. Outside Mexico the virus appears milder than many had feared – although sufferers have been hospitalised.
WHO IS CATCHING IT?
According to reports so far, the new strain is most lethal to those in the 25 to 45 age range. This is ominous because it was the hallmark of the Spanish 1918 flu pandemic that killed tens of millions worldwide. However, the circumstances were quite different: many thousands of victims were young men recovering from service in World War One.
Experts say it is too soon to draw comparisons with the 1918 outbreak, but chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson says that up to 30-40 per cent of the population could become ill in the next six months if it does turn into a full-blown pandemic.
On the plus side, the H1N1 strain is far less dangerous than H5N1, or bird flu, and the cases outside Mexico do not appear to have been as serious as those in the country where the outbreak began.
CAN THE VIRUS BE CONTAINED?
No, it’s too late. There are no travel restrictions into or out of Mexico, though the British Foreign Office is advising against non-essential travel to the country.
In Mexico itself, mass gatherings are banned as are handshakes and kisses on the cheek. Schools and universities are currently closed. Restaurants in Mexico City have been ordered to close, too.
IS THERE A VACCINE?
Not yet. In Britain two drug companies have been contracted to develop vaccines. Scientists at the National Institute for Medical Research in north London are reported be working on virus samples provided by the US. A vaccine would take several months to prepare.
HOW WILL BRITAIN DEAL WITH AN OUTBREAK?
Because of the recent bird flu scare, Britain has a stockpile of the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, enough to treat half the population. These drugs will not cure swine flu, but they should reduce its severity and help limit its spread while a purpose – made vaccine is developed – though to make enough for the majority of the population would take months.
SHOULD WE BE WEARING FACEMASKS?
No. The Department of Health advises that “available scientific evidence does not support the general wearing of facemasks by those who are not ill whilst going about their normal activities”.
However, the Department is making efforts to increase its stock of facemasks for use by hospital staff in the event of a pandemic being declared. 
Swine fever: its origins and symptoms to look out for… 
La Gloria: is this ‘ground zero’ for swine fever?…
Swine fever: first cases in Britain as WHO raises alert; what are symptoms?…
Barack Obama cleared of swine fever virus…
Swine fever spreads to New York and Canada; what are symptoms?…
Swine fever sends world markets reeling…
Daily animal picture: Pigs protected against swine fever…
All UK homes to receive swine fever leaflets
Results of tests on 23 Scottish patients should give a better picture of how the virus is spreading
Health authorities are anxiously awaiting the results of tests for swine fever virus in 23 people in Scotland. The results should give them a better picture of how the flu virus is spreading. Fourteen of those being tested are people who have been on holiday in Mexico or the United States and have reported flu-like symptoms; another nine are people who have been in contact with the Falkirk couple, Iain and Dawn Askham, who are already confirmed as Britain’s first known cases.
The Askhams, who contracted swine fever while honeymooning in Cancun, Mexico, are continuing to recover in Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, Lanarkshire. If any of the nine friends they saw before they were isolated have contracted the virus, it will the first known case of the fever spreading within Britain.
In the meantime, the Department of Health in London is to start delivering leaflets to every UK household about what precautions to take against the swine fever virus. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said that a massive stockpile of Tamiflu, put in place because of the bird flu scare, means Britain is among the world’s best prepared countries to deal with a serious outbreak of the new flu strain.
Worldwide, Mexico has raised its estimate of the number of suspected deaths to 159. There have still been no deaths outside Mexico, but the number of confirmed cases elsewhere is rising. In the United States, 64 cases are now confirmed. There are also confirmed cases in Canada, New Zealand, Israel and Spain.
Across Britain, unconfirmed cases are being investigated in Wales, Wiltshire and Derbyshire. Anyone who believes they may have swine flu is asked not to visit their GP’s surgery, but to telephone for advice.
By Jack Bremer/FIRST POSTED APRIL 29, 2009
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