Is This The Long Awaited Pandemic?

[Bruce Clemens]

Mexico City launches massive vaccination campaign against swine flu


www.chinaview.cn 2009-04-24 23:06:06 Print
MEXICO CITY, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The government of Mexico City is launching a massive vaccination campaign throughout the city
The Mexican government confirmed on Friday the outbreak of the swine flu, and warned people to avoid crowds.
"It's a virus which mutated from pigs and transmitted to some human," Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova told Televisa television.
Health officials are now investigating the possible deaths and infections caused by the virus. Virus samples have been sent to laboratories in Canada for testing, they said.
The government also decided to close all schools in Mexico City and the center of the country to avoid spreading of the virus.
The World Health Organization, which has identified swine influenza as a potential source of a human flu pandemic, has also activated its global epidemic operations center. against swine flu, which has possibly killed 45 people and infected 943 nationwide.

OK...I'm no expert, but I recall seeing information that every year flu vaccine is a hit-and-miss proposition. The CDC and other flu "experts" monitor the strains that develop (primarily in China) early in the season, and produce vaccine that is targeted for that strain. If they are right, their vaccine works. But often the strain mutates before getting to the Western world, and they are caught short with stockpiles of vaccine that aren't effective. If this is the case (please chime in, medical experts.) how can Mexico actually have an effective vaccine for a flu strain that has only been seen for a few days?

Update:
Here's some information addressing the question I raised above.
(from http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2009/04/24/s...nd-mexico/)

Can the swine flu be treated with antiviral drugs?
Like some garden-variety flu, this swine flu is resistant to two drugs known as amantadine and rimantadine. Earlier this week, the CDC reported that the swine flu was being tested for susceptibility to Tamiflu and Relenza, two newer drugs.
Does the flu vaccine protect against the swine flu?
The CDC reported earlier this week that the seasonal flu vaccine “might not” provide protection against the flu. The agency says it has created a “seed vaccine” specifically tailored to this swine flu. That could be used to manufacture a targeted vaccine if officials deem it necessary to do so.