The New York City Health Department to hold News Conference

[annabanana]

http://adjix.com/45vu

The department sent out a media alert to the news media just before 1 p.m. Eastern time, saying that Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas R. Frieden will give an update "on the status of influenza in New York City." The briefing will take place at 3 p.m. Eastern time.

A spokeswoman for the department, in a call with BNO News, refused to provide any more information on the briefing. "I can't give any information other than what was stated on the media advisory," she said. A press release was also scheduled to be released later on Saturday.

It is unclear if this is related to the swine flu outbreak in Mexico and some parts of the United States, which has so far killed up to 70 and infected more than 1,000 people. The World Health Organization had earlier said it fears the disease may develop into a global pandemic.

Meanwhile, New York City health officials are still investigating a school in Queens were some 75 students have fallen ill with flu-like symptoms. Tests are being taken to rule out swine flu but the results can take up to several days.

[seemslikeadream]

1. ok let me get this straight

Students RETURNING from Mexico are now sick, it will take several days to get results, all the while these students may pass on the illness to others. Why is the sick in another state being quarantined and not them? Incubation is how long?

[annabanana]

2. I'm guessing that no one knows the answers yet...

They just barely determined that this is a combo Swine/Avian/Human thing. . .

[emilyg]

3. CDC just announced

the swine flu is widespread and no means to contain it.

[roamer65]

4. Please provide the source of this information.

[Avalux]

5. I read it too just now. Twitter.....

http://twitter.com/mpoppel

[FedUpWithIt All]

8. The twitter feed has mentioned the third case in TX. Seems they are closing the school.

The family has already been indefinitely quarantined.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5531422

[Avalux]

9. Yes. Cibolo High School closed until further notice.

Students and teachers to be screened. The Twitter page also says reporters with "flu-like" symptoms banned from Texas. WTF?

Also - NYC Health Department News Conference delayed by one hour. That sounds ominous. Why would they wait if they're going to tell us the cases aren't related?

[emilyg]

7. There was a breaking bleep-bleep on TV.

[seemslikeadream]

6. !!

shit