South Korea Saturday reported its first case of swine flu after Hong Kong said a man who flew from Mexico had the disease, in Asia's first confirmed cases as the virus continues its global spread.
But health authorities said the world appeared better prepared to fight an epidemic than a few years ago, and vowed that a vaccine was only months away.
Confirmation by Hong Kong authorities Friday that a traveller who arrived from Mexico, via Shanghai, had tested positive for A(H1N1) flu virus saw an entire hotel quarantined.
And in South Korea, authorities Saturday confirmed the country's first case, involving a a 51-year-old woman who returned from Mexico Sunday.
The Hong Kong case sent shivers through the territory as thousands donned masks in an echo of the 2003 SARS crisis.
China responded quickly, saying it was to put all passengers on the flight from Mexico to Shanghai under quarantine and that flights from Mexico to the city were being suspended. Denmark and France joined the list of countries reporting their first cases.
But in a sign that authorities may be containing the spread of the disease, Mexico, which has been at the epicentre of the outbreak, said the new, multi-strain virus appeared not to be as aggressive as had first been feared.
Mexico's government late Friday raised its confirmed toll of flu cases to 16 dead and 381 infected.
"Fortunately, the virus is not so aggressive -- it's not a case of avian flu, which had a mortality rate of nearly 70 percent," Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova earlier told reporters.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang was taking no chances, however, in this densely populated, sub-tropical territory, saying he would "raise the alert level from serious to emergency."
China "has asked health authorities in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong to immediately put passengers on flight AM098... under quarantine and a seven-day medical observation," the health ministry said on its website.
And Xinhua news agency reported Beijing was shutting down flights between Mexico and Shanghai.
Xinhua reported that China had notified the Mexican government and airlines about the decision, adding Beijing may send a charter plane to Mexico to collect "Chinese passengers who had planned to fly to Shanghai from the city of Mexico on May 3."
Meanwhile, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDCP) said in a statement: "Test results have confirmed the first probable patient, whose case was reported on Monday, was infected with Influenza A (H1N1)."
The woman, reportedly a nun, who returned from Mexico Sunday, has been responding well to treatment and is expected to be discharged from hospital Monday, health officials said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that a pandemic is now imminent, raising its alert level to five out of six, but a senior official at the UN agency said a vaccine was in the pipeline.
"We have no doubt that making a successful vaccine is possible in a relatively short period of time," Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO director of the Initiative for Vaccine Research said, adding it may take four to six months.
With 143 infections confirmed in the United States across 20 states, US officials also said the outbreak did not appear to be anywhere near as dangerous as the 1918 flu epidemic, killing an estimated 50 million people around the globe.
"We do not see the markers for virulence that were seen in the 1918 virus," Nancy Cox, the chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) influenza division, told reporters.
The head of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) added her voice to global reassurances, saying Latin America was better prepared to handle today's outbreak than five years ago, when avian flu struck.
Spain, meanwhile, reported that its number of suspected swine flu cases appeared to have stabilised as the figures dropped to 108 from 116. There are so far 13 confirmed cases in the country.
Among the latest cases revealed was that of a nurse in Germany who had treated a patient with the disease, but had not been to Mexico.
Scottish authorities also confirmed the first case of swine flu in Britain involving someone who had not recently travelled to Mexico.
And in France Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot said the country's first two cases of swine flu had been confirmed.
Most cases outside Mexico have involved only mild symptoms of the illness that can be easily treated with existing flu medicines, and some experts have suggested the virus may have weakened as it was carried outside the country.
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Saturday, May 2, 2009
Special Gifts for Your Loved
Here are the 8 special gifts for the one or anyone you love:
1. Presence
I think, the presence of someone who loved is the priceless gift. Indeed, we can also present by mail, phone, photo, fax or e-mail. However, with be beside him/her, you can share feelings, attention and affection in a more intensive and intact. The quality of presence is also important. So, make your presence as causes of his/her happiness.
2. Listen
Few people are able to give this gift, because, most people prefer to listened, rather than listen. Has long been known that the harmonious relationship between people is determined by the willingness to listen to each other. Give it to him/her. By providing all attention on his/her words, indirectly, we also have to foster patience and humility. To be able to hear well, make sure that you are in a good situation and relax and can capture what was he/she says fully. Look his/her face. Do not interrupt, criticize and judge. Let him/her finish his/her words. This allows you to give the appropriate response after that. No need to make a discussion or evaluation. Just thanks will be very sweet for him/her.
3. Silence
Like in the words, there is strength in the silence. Silence can be used to punish, banish or confusing people. But more than that, silence can also show our devotion to someone because we give him/her ‘a space’. Especially if in the day-to-day we are eager to advise, organize, criticize and even complain.
4. Freedom
Love someone does not mean that we have full rights to manage or have the person’s life. Can we claim to love someone if we always bridle him/her? Give freedom is one manifestation of love. The meaning of freedom is not “you can do everything you want”. More of that, give the freedom is give him/her a totally trust to take responsibility for everything that he/she do or wanna do.
5. Magnificence
Who is unhappy, if the one who love suddenly come into being more handsome or beautiful? Look beautiful and shapely is also a gift too! No fault if you give it every day! Beside of the beauty of personal appearance, you can give the beauty atmosphere at home. Vase and beautiful fresh flowers in the family room or dining table that fit beautifully, for example.
6. Positive Response
Unconsciously, we often give negative response of the mind, attitude or action of people we loved. As though no rightness of him/her and the absolutely rightness only from us. In this time, try to give a positive response. Say it clearly and upright. Just try to remember, how many time in the past week you thanks him/her to all the things that he/she do it for you? Also remember, have you praise him/her? Both it, thanks and praise (also apology), is the gift of love which is often forgotten.
7. Willingness Budge
Not all problems worthy to a squabble. Especially to become a serious quarrel. You should consider whether a love relationship should be sacrificed just because that problem? When you think of this, it means you are ready to give the gift ‘willingness budge’. Alright, you may complain or angry because he came late. But if it once, why should be the trigger of conflict that drag on? Willingness to budge can also fade resentment and invites us to realize that there are no perfect human beings in this world.
8. Smile
Believe it or not, the power of smile is very great. Smile, especialy given with all of heart and soul, can thaw an ungainly relationship, encourage despair, and make anything better. Smiles is also a signal that we open up to the world around us. So, when the last time you give a sweet smile for your beloved?
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