7.8 Earthquake In China

A strong earthquake hits China, measuring 7.8 in magnitude and felt as far away as Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan.

Reports are that the quake has caused 80 percent of buildings to collapse, trapping and burying many people. In one area a school collapsed and 900 children are buried under the remains of the building

As of this writing the death toll has passed 8,500 and is expected to increase reports are also indicating about 10,000 injured.

The power and water systems have been knocked out and much of the communications systems and networks are not operational. Though phone service is disrupted it has been reported that some have been able to get text messages through in some cases. It has also stopped service at several airports.

The quake was centered about 60 miles northwest of Chengdu, in Sichuan province.

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Update: Quarantined Train Cleared

The train that was detained due to fears of a possible disease outbreak has been released after officials found that people on board the train who had become ill was due to the common flu.

One woman who had died which sparked the fear of the outbreak apparently died of natural causes and was identified as an 86 year old from South Africa.

The train, carrying 264 passengers and 30 crew members, was being held in the station in the town of Foleyet, Canada 500 miles north-west of Toronto. The station was also evacuated.

The train was allowed to continue on to Toronto after it was confirmed that no outbreak was occurring.

You can see our original post of this story here: Canadian Passenger Train Quarantined

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Pandemic Planning Anyone? Norovirus Outbreak At Moscone Center

Photo by AJC1

Looking for a reason to have a pandemic plan? What if you went to a convention, and everyone around was getting sick? Or what if you were from the business that was running the event, what would you do?

Sound unlikely? Not so fast... Recently there was an outbreak that occurred at a convention here in San Francisco that should give anyone that thinks they do not need such a plan a reason to rethink about the risks if they do not have a pandemic plan in place.

In the last week or so, about 70 people became ill at the Moscone Center in San Francisco during the Sun Micro Systems JavaOne convnetion from a highly contagious norovirus.

The Virus also known as "stomach flu" and as viral gastroenteritis which is the most common name for the illness caused by norovirus, causes violent and sometimes uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhea.

The Moscone Center has been completely disinfected by workers according to the center, and officials are asking anyone who has felt ill to please stay away for 24-48 hours. Organizers also sent out a mass communications email to all attendees to inform them of the outbreak.

Canadian Passenger Train Quarantined

Photo by bogers

A train carrying 269 passengers and 30 crew members has been stopped and quarantined in Foleyet, Canada after 10 people fell ill with flu like symptoms. One of the passengers that became ill has died and another was taken to a hospital.

Officials are saying that it appears the illness is contained in two cars but are not letting any of the passengers off the train and have evacuated the station at Foleyet as a precaution.

The cause of the symptoms as of this writing are unknown and we will try to provide an update as soon as possible.

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Update on Burma Disaster, Death Toll of 100,000

Photo by soldiersmediacenter

Some relief aid is finally getting into Burma, but it is not enough as the military run Government is still not allowing all relief help efforts into the country. U.S. Aid is still on standby and there are delays in getting Visa's to Taiwanese aid workers.

World Food Programme is stating that it is critical to get aid into the country within the next 10 days or the crisis will widen. If you can please visit the World Food Programme site to make a much needed donation.

New death toll estimates coming from an official U.S. diplomat in the country put a number out that could exceed 100,000. Much higher than estimates of 22,000 - 50,000 as the Government of Burma stated.

France suggests the invoking of a UN "responsibility to protect" and that aid should be delivered without the permission of the military run Government.

See my other post on this story Here.

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