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Welcome to our special opinion research blog on the 2009 Swine Flu outbreak
The 2009 deadly swine flu outbreak is the spread of a new strain of H1N1 influenza virus that was first noticed in March 2009. It was first detected in three areas of Mexico, but the new strain was not clinically ascertained as such until later on. Shortly afterwards, evidence of the strain was found in North America and Europe including the UK. By April 27th the World Health Organization (WHO) raised their pandemic alert level to 4.
This means the WHO considers that there is "sustained human to human transmission"; the levels above, however, mean that there is "widespread human infection". This means that as of 28th April 2009 it has not become what the World Health Organization consider to be either and epidemic or pandemic. However this may change in the near future.
The concern about this particular type of flu strain is that it is very easily transferable from human-to-humans.
Opinions about the effect of swine flu differ as do ways of dealing with the situation. We have therefore decided to run this research blog to find out the thoughts and opinions of members of The Patients Voice about the outbreak.
We are particularly interested in your view on the following questions:-
a) How concerned are you about the swine flu epidemic? Who do you think is under the gravest threat from swine flu?
b) What measures will you be taking against the infection?
c) What measure should the government of your country be taking? For example should we be supplied with surgical facemasks? Can the WHO do anything to help?
d) What if anything can be done to prevent a future outbreak?
These questions are just suggestions so please mention anything you feel may be on interest to other readers especially if you have direct experience of such outbreaks.
Previous examples of pandemic flu have been Spanish flu in 1918 responsible for about 50 million deaths. Asian flu in 1959, Hong Kong flu in 1968 and more recently the Bird Flu.
Thanks very much in advance for your help. Remember, a blog is really like having a conversation with lots of people at the same time and so please check back on the blog to see what others have said so that if you would like to add to their thoughts you can.
To take part, all you need to do is scroll down to the comments area, type in a nickname of your choice and then put your comments into the box. We look forward to reading your comments and, of course, thank you very much for your input. Finally can I ask you to bear in mind when you blog that your comments will not just be read by other bloggers and The Patients Voice staff
Update: The UN's World Health Organization has raised the alert over swine flu to level five - indicating human-to-human transmission in at least two countries "strong signal that a pandemic is imminent"
10:13 GMT, Thursday, 30 April 2009
The Patients Voice The Patients Voice is one of the many patient-focused services from Healthcare Landscape. Healthcare Landscape is a medical and healthcare research company, which conducts interviews with all the different kinds of people involved in the healthcare process. They range from patients and their carers, to medical professionals like nurses, pharmacists, physicians and academics. Our mission is to find out what they think and what their experiences have been.
We can interview over the web, at home or at a special research facility; depending on what type of study it is, the choice is often yours. We also run patient diaries and blogs, so you can air your views as honestly and informally as you like. We want to ensure that you have access to the best research experience, and in turn, our clients will learn from your story. Our clients are quite diverse. They range from pharmaceutical or medical device companies, to charities and government bodies. The Patients Voice is open to anyone in the world who wants to give an opinion and would like to try to make a difference. This forum gives you power by allowing you to get YOUR VOICE HEARD.
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