Swine Flu

Info shared by my boss. ^_^


Dear All,
The World Health Organisation has declared a level 4 alert for Swine Flu. It is wise to be aware of what is happening and to be prepared on how to manage it.
Please spend a few minutes of your time to read through the FAQs below, which was also available in The Star newspaper yesterday.
To recap, the Health Ministry has advised against travel to some parts of United States, Mexico and Canada which have been affected by the swine flu.

What is swine influenza?
It is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. It regularly causes high flu outbreaks in pigs but with low death rates. There are four main sub-types of the virus, but the most recent isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

How does it spread?
Swine flu viruses do not typically infect humans though they do occur through close proximity or contact with infected pigs or contaminated areas. Cases of human-to-human spread have been documented.

What are the symptoms?
The symptoms are similar to those of regular flu:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Lack of appetite
- Vomiting and diarrhoea in some cases.

How common is swine flu infection in humans?
In the past, reports of about one human swine flu virus infection had been received every one to two years in the United States. From December 2005 till February 2009, 12 cases have been reported.

Has this strain of flu been seen before?
No. Flu mutates constantly, so it is common for new strains to emerge. Pigs can also be infected with both human and avian influenza, and the current circulating swine flu strain appears to contain genetic elements from all three.

Can swine flu be treated with antiviral drugs and flu vaccine?
The swine flu is resistant to two common drugs – Amantadine and Rimantadine. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are very different from human H1N1 viruses. Therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection. However, a “seed vaccine” has been specifically tailored to this swine flu and will be manufactured if officials deem it necessary.

Can people catch swine flu by eating pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 70ºC and above kills the swine flu virus.

How long is someone with swine flu considered contagious?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic; possibly for up to seven days following the onset of the illness. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What can I do to protect myself from the swine flu?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against the swine flu.
However, you can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza by:
- Covering your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or handkerchief when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the waste basket after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also helpful
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people. - If you get sick with influenza, stay at home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Consult your nearest healthcare facility if you think you have any of the symptoms.
Which countries have had cases of the swine flu?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed human cases of swine flu in Mexico, the United States, Canada and Spain. Only Mexico has reported deaths from the new strain.
Are there any travel restrictions or advisories for Malaysians?
The Health Ministry on April 27 advised Malaysians against travelling to certain places in the United States, Mexico and Canada which have been affected by the swine flu..
What precautions are in place in Malaysia?
- The Health Ministry’s operations room in Putrajaya has started a 24-hour monitoring of the situation. The public can call 03-8881 0200/300 for enquiries.
- Those returning from Latin American countries and found to have flu-like symptoms will be quarantined.
- Health Ministry officials are conducting health screenings on passengers arriving from the United States.
- Thermal scanners will be placed at international airports to speed up the screening process for swine flu.
- Public and private medical practitioners have been instructed to report to the district health office any patient with influenza-like illnesses or severe pneumonia symptoms and who had travelled to the affected countries after April 17.
- Owners of the 797 pig farms nationwide have been ordered to immediately contact the nearest Veterinary Services Department office or the Animal Disease Control Centre if their workers or animals show symptoms linked to the swine flu

The Ant Fable

This was actually a powerpoint slide that was forwarded around and came to me from my colleague Hari.

Every day, a small ant arrives at work very early and starts work immediately.
She produces a lot and she was happy.
The Chief, a lion, was surprised to see that the ant was working without supervision.
He thought if the ant can produce so much without supervision, wouldn’t she produce even more if she had a supervisor!
So he recruited a cockroach who had extensive experience as supervisor and who was famous for writing excellent reports.

The cockroach’s first decision was to set up a clocking in attendance system.
He also needed a secretary to help him write and type his reports and …
... he recruited a spider, who managed the archives and monitored all phone calls.

The lion was delighted with the cockroach's reports and asked him to produce graphs to describe production rates and to analyse trends, so that he could use them for presentations at Board‘s meetings.
So the cockroach had to buy a new computer and a laser printer and ...
... recruited a fly to manage the IT department.
The ant, who had once been so productive and relaxed, hated this new plethora of paperwork and meetings which used up most of her time…!

The lion came to the conclusion that it was high time to nominate a person in charge of the department where the ant worked.
The position was given to the cicada, whose first decision was to buy a carpet and an ergonomic chair for his office.
The new person in charge, the cicada, also needed a computer and a personal assistant ,who he brought from his previous department, to help him prepare a Work and Budget Control Strategic Optimisation Plan …

The Department where the ant works is now a sad place, where nobody laughs anymore and everybody has become upset...
It was at that time that the cicada convinced the boss , the lion, of the absolute necessity to start a climatic study of the environment .
Having reviewed the charges for running the ant’s department , the lion found out that the production was much less than before.
So he recruited the owl , a prestigious and renowned consultant to carry out an audit and suggest solutions.

The owl spent three months in the department and came up with an enormous report , in several volumes, that concluded : “ The department is overstaffed ...”
Guess who the lion fires first?
The ant , of course, because she
“showed lack of motivation and had a negative attitude".

The end


The characters in this fable are fictitious; any resemblance toreal people or facts within the Corporation is pure coincidence…
Adapted from Portuguese by PR. Obrigado Mário.

Reptile Exhibition 07 - White Snake Eats Mice

Caution: Videos not for the faint hearted! =X

Not sure what snake is this, but he was really enjoying his meal. LOL! =X
Erm, this is the last one I have of what eat what clips from that exhibition. Hehehe! =P

Earth Hour

On Saturday, 28 March 2009, from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, cities and towns across the world will turn off their lights for Earth Hour. This is an event organised by WWF, focused on highlighting energy conservation and climate change around the world.

I would be joining in to turn off all my lights for Earth Hour. Will you be??
Hehehhe! ^_^

Reptile Exhibition 07 - Python eats Mice

Caution: Videos not for the faint hearted! =X

This 2 part clips shows how the Albino Python attacks the white mice, waits for it to die, before enjoying it. =P

Reptile Exhibition 07 - Bullfrog Eats Mice

Just want to share some interesting videos that I took years ago at the Reptile Exhibition at 1Utama. It was feeding time, so yeah, they were showing us how some animals eat other animals.

Caution: Videos not for the faint hearted! =X

This is how an African Bullfrog swallows a white mice. =P

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours (Live@EBS Korea - Acoustic)

I was looking for Jason Mraz's song on youtube and came across this whole collection of live performance played acoustically at EBS Korea. I liked all of it and decided to learn the song. Here's the first one, its called I'm Yours. ^_^

View Video Here:




CHORDS
GUITAR TUNING: Capo at 2nd Fret

Note: He played a few variations of the same chords in this song. I'll just simplify them with (x) for you to know which variant he was playing at that point.

CHORD FINGERING:
A - 577655
E - 0(11)999x
E(2) - 022100
F#m - x9(11)(11)(10)9
F#m(2) - 244222
D - (10)(12)(12)(11)(10)(10)
D(2) - x57755
B - 799877
A/Ab - 4776xx
Eb? - x678(10)x


        A           E
do do do do do do
        F#m           D
do do do doom do do do do do
             A               E
do do do do do do do do
        F#m    D
do do do ooh hoo hoo


      A
Well you done done me and you bet I felt it
  E
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted
  F#m                                                   D
I fell right through the cracks, and now I'm trying to get back


               A
Before the cool done run out, I'll be giving it my bestest
      E
And nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention
  F#m                                D
I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some

     A              E                      F#m
But I won't hesitate no more, no more
             D                     A
It cannot wait, I'm yours
    E
eeeh yeah
                          F#m(2)
yeah you best to believe I'm yours
              D(2)
Yours and yours alone


A                                               E
Well open up your mind and see like me
                                                 F#m
Open up your plans and damn you're free
                                               D
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love


A                                                                       E
Listen to the music of the moment people, dance and sing
                               F#m
We're just one big family
                                                  D                              B
And it's our God-forsaken right to be loved loved loved loved loved


   A               E(2)                    F#m(2)
So I won't hesitate no more, no more
             D(2)
It cannot wait, I'm sure
              A                   E                      F#m
There's no need to complicate, our time is short
               D
This is our fate, I'm yours

A                   A/Ab                    F#m(2)
D-d-do do you, do you do you do do
                                      E(2)
But do you want to come on
                              D(2)
Scooch on over closer dear
                           Eb?
So I can nibble your ear


Szu zeh za ba ba ba ba
(Drum Roll)
A   A/Ab   F#m(2)   E(2)   D(2)   Eb?


                                A
Well I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
      E
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
        F#m
But my breath fogged up the glass
           D
And so I drew a new face and I laughed


  A
I guess what I be saying is there ain't no better reason
    E
To rid yourself of vanities and just go with the seasons
  F#m                                               D
It's what we aim to do, our name is our virtue


(Note: He stopped playing here but if you want you can continue)


     A               E                       F#m
But I won't hesitate no more, no more
             D
It cannot wait, I'm sure
              A                   E                      F#m
There's no need to complicate, our time is short
               D
This is our fate, I'm yours


A                                                           E
Come on and open up your mind and see like me
                                                 F#m
Open up your plans and damn you're free
                                                    D
Look into your heart and you'll find that the sky is yours
    A
So please don't please don't please don't
               E
There's no need to complicate
               F#m
'Cause our time is short
                                   D
This is, this is, this is our fate
          B
I'm yours


(He continues to sing to entertain the crowd but I'll stop here ^_^)