The CDC confirmed on Thursday that the suspected case of Swine Flu in Cold Spring, a small town 80 miles northwest of the Twin Cities, is Minnesota's first case of the disease. The CDC is currently testing samples from several other Minnesota patients with suspected swine flu.
Swine Flu, more properly known as H1N1 Influenza, has infected more than 100 people in the United States and over 500 worldwide.
The Cold Springs patient, who is a student from Rocori Middle School, is reported to be recovering at home. The school will remain closed until next Wednesday, in line with CDC guidelines.
Even though there are no confirmed cases in the Metro area, respirators and masks are becoming quite the spring fashion accessory. As well as the Metro Transit bus drivers choosing to wear masks, staff at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport and local hospitals have been issued with masks.
Maplewood based 3M Corporation manufactures medical-grade face masks which are designed to filter germs, including two models cleared by the FDA for use in a public health emergency. The 8612 and 8670 masks are sold out online. And we don't seem to have any local advantage, the masks are just about impossible to get in retail stores too. 3M says that it is stepping up production of the masks, but until the shelves are restocked, eBay is just about the only place you can get one.
Having a mask isn't essential to avoid H1N1. Whether or not you have a mask, the CDC recommends frequent handwashing and not touching your mouth, eyes and nose as the best way to avoid catching the flu.
But how did this all start? And whose fault is it anyway? Republican Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann, who serves Minnesota's 6th District, which includes Cold Springs, offered her not-quite-sure-how-that's-relavent opinion on the outbreak.
I find it interesting that it was back in the 1970s that the swine flu broke out then under another Democrat president Jimmy Carter. And I'm not blaming this on President Obama, I just think it's an interesting coincidence.
In a press release concerning the Cold Springs case, Michelle Bachmann invites calls from those with questions. Her office can be reached at 651-731-5400. Or, maybe you'd prefer to peruse these links for somewhat more useful information about H1N1.
And are you panicking, or keeping calm over H1N1?
- CDC Information on H1N1 Influenza. The bottom line? Don't panic. If you are sick, stay home and call your doctor.
- Minnesota-Specific Information on H1N1 Influenza from the Minnesota Department of Health
- 3M Masks, which can't be bought online for love nor money. There are plenty on trusty old eBay though.
Comments
I would like to point out that it was a Republican president, not a democrat. I find that to be an interesting coincidence.
Michelle Bachmann’s comment had absolutely nothing to do with the situation. I don’t understand why she would say something like that. People are buying habd sanitizer like CRAZY!!!!
I think to be honest that it is crazy and scary with how many poeple are infected by it and how fast it’s going it was like totally in Mexico and now it’s eighty miles higher than the twin cities (Minnesota). Have you ever woundered why it was going so fast?