Player in quarantine with possible swine flu is a warning to children, pregant women and the disabled
Common sense will keep a few people home
With story from Winnipeg Free Press
With the first case of swine flu among the athletes at Canada Games, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure there is a risk. However, press and marketing people at Canada Games may not warn us to keep the Games momentum going.
A tennis player competing for Manitoba at the Canada Games in Prince Edward Island has been quarantined while Games officials await test results for H1N1 influenza.
Muzeen Ismath, a 17-year-old Winnipegger who plays out of the Tuxedo Tennis Club, showed symptoms of the flu Wednesday morning and was immediately quarantined and tested, Team Manitoba manager Barry Moroz said Wednesday night.
Moroz said Ismath had a fever of nearly 39 degrees C (102 F) and doctors decided to play it safe.
“He got sick overnight,” Moroz said. “A high fever, sore throat. And given all the concern about the H1N1 (flu), we were very diligent.
“We wanted to make sure that if he does test positive, it doesn’t spread.” Winnipeg Free Press
These are probably the same health officials spin doctors I worked with at Canada Games. “Happy talk all the time” is their motto. They won’t let any dose of reality or threat risk the PR event.
The reality is the boy, if he has swine flu, has already spread the virus among his team mates and anyone who touched a handrail, seat, table or other surface within 48 hours.
The H1N1 virus strain causing the current outbreaks is a new virus that has not been seen previously in either humans or animals. Although firm conclusions cannot be reached at present, scientists anticipate that pre-existing immunity to the virus will be low or non-existent, or largely confined to older population groups.
H1N1 appears to be more contagious than seasonal influenza. The secondary attack rate of seasonal influenza ranges from 5% to 15%. Current estimates of the secondary attack rate of H1N1 range from 22% to 33%. World Health Organization WHO as reported by Vancouverite
Several rumours were floating while I was on the street spreading the news about the lack of disabled parking on campus – Disabled find getting to class difficult at University of PEI, host of 2009 Canada Games.
“All the players were quarantined.”
“The Manitoba players were quarantined.”
“My boyfriend is an athlete and he has a fever.”
For people with disabilities, the smart money may be on staying home. Many people with disabilities have weakened states of health. They are prone to catch whatever is going.
No or poor parking, inaccessible bathroom facilities, and now the risk of swine flu. I might pass on the festivities. Or I’ll check with Patrick Kenny and see if it is safe.
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