In a study involving more than one hundred thousand of people who took metformin or other group of oral diabetes medications known as insulin secretagogues (SI), the researchers found that metformin and gliclazide and repaglinide SI had the lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death.

“Some medications, such as metformin, gliclazide and repaglinide are more effective in reducing cardiovascular risk than others,” The study’s findings are probably an indication that metformin, gliclazide and repaglinide are protective.

In previous research has shown that metformin reduces the risk of major adverse cardiac events and death in about 40 percent. This means that other drugs would have a lot to offer protection to be level favorable.

If you compare a good medicine with good medicine, good is not necessarily so good. But if you compare a good drug with a placebo, the cardiovascular risk is likely to be neutral.

Metformin is the first line of treatment recommended for anyone with type 2 diabetes. However like other medicine there are no of side effects of metformin.The findings of this study support this recommendation.

Although insulin secretagogues widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes, either by themselves or in combination with metformin, according to background information in the study, information is needed on their long-term cardiovascular effects.

To better determine what impact, if they do, carry these drugs on heart health, researchers reviewed data from 107.806 people. All were taking an oral diabetes drug, metformin, glimepiride, gliclazide, glibenclamide (known as glyburide in the USA. UU. And Canada), glipizide, tolbutamide and repaglinide. Of this group, 9.607 people had experienced a previous cardiovascular event, such as heart attack or stroke.

Compared with metformin, four of the drugs were more likely to be associated with increased risk of mortality from all causes among those who had no history of cardiovascular events. The risk with glimepiride was 32 percent higher, while the risk increased by 19 percent for glibenclamide. For glipizide, the risk was 27 percent higher and the risk of death was 28 percent higher for those taking tolbutamide vs. metformin, according to the study. The risks were even greater among those taking these drugs and had previously suffered a cardiovascular event.

The researchers also found that the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death was higher among those taking these drugs.

Gliclazide and repaglinide, SI drugs had similar risk profiles to metformin and did not appear to be related to increased risk of death, heart attack or stroke. Since there is no standard melatonin dosage guidelines can be obtained from clinical studies

We showed that for all results, the SI glimepiride, glyburide, glipizide and tolbutamide at greater risk when compared with metformin, while there was no statistical difference in the risk for gliclazide and repaglinide versus metformin.

People should not stop taking any medication for diabetes on their own. If you have any concern, “talk with your health care,” he said.

Schools were ordered closed in California and Texas, while nervous investors sent U.S. stock prices tumbling on expectations that the flu outbreak could further undermine the economy, which is struggling in recession.

President Barack Obama said he was monitoring the situation while bad news piled up from southern neighbor Mexico, where up to 149 people have died and more than 1,600 have been infected by the never-before-seen virus.

H1N1 Influenza Swine Flu English

The U.S. government on Sunday declared the flu strain a public health emergency — a fresh challenge for the Obama administration, which is still mindful of the damage inflicted on his predecessor George W. Bush over his government’s inept handling of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

No American deaths have been reported and most affected by the virus had light symptoms, recovering fast. But it has popped up in New York, Ohio, Kansas, Texas and California as well as Canada and Europe, raising fears of a pandemic.

"This is obviously a cause for concern and requires a heightened state of alert. But it is not a cause for alarm," Obama told a meeting of the National Academy of Sciences.

In New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said more than 100 sick students at a high school in Queens were being tested and that 45 were confirmed or likely cases of swine flu.

"We believe that there are probably more than 100 cases of swine flu at the school and lab tests are confirming what we have suspected," he told a news conference.

A first case was confirmed in northern California, where a student was found with the virus at a school in a Sacramento suburb. The school was closed. Ten other cases have been confirmed in southern California close to Mexico’s border.

Texas, meanwhile, confirmed a third case of swine flu near San Antonio. All three cases involve students at the same school, and Texas officials have closed 14 area schools in an attempt to contain it.

Department of Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano said inspections were being boosted at U.S. borders and airports, while the national stockpile of antiviral drugs was being activated and should be fully deployed by May 3.

The U.S. State Department urged Americans on Monday to avoid all "nonessential" travel to Mexico over the next three months because of the flu outbreak.

NO HEALTH SECRETARY

The flu scare comes as the Obama administration seeks to fill a number of senior health vacancies.

Obama’s choice for health secretary, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, has not yet been approved by the Senate where some Republicans are upset over her support for abortion rights, but Democrats hope Sibelius will get the nod soon.

Swine flu is less lethal than feared, according to reports on the BBC News. The website quotes research led by Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer, which found that only 0.026% of those infected with swine flu have died.

This was a well-conducted investigation into all deaths in England attributed to swine flu up to November 2009. It found that there were 138 deaths from an estimated 540,000 cases, or around 26 deaths per 100,000 people. Because of the nature of swine flu and the difficulties in identifying cases, there remains the unavoidable possibility that these mortality rates were slightly over- or underestimated. For example, some deaths associated with swine flu may not have been correctly identified, which would lead to an underestimation of the mortality rate. Equally, underestimations of the total number of swine flu cases could lead to overestimation of the mortality rates. However, the figures calculated in this study give the best estimate based on available information.

This research also suggests that mortality rates are much lower than in 20th century flu pandemics. However, vigilance and the prompt use of antivirals when indicated, in addition to vaccination, remain highly important.

Where did the story come from?

This research was conducted by Sir Liam Donaldson, chief medical officer for England, and colleagues of the Department of Health and Health Protection Agency. This work was conducted as part of the public health response to pandemic influenza in England, and no additional funding was sought. The research was published in the peer-reviewed British Medical Journal.

This research received coverage from The Guardian, the Daily Mirror and BBC News, which have all accurately reported the figures calculated and the nature of this research.

What kind of research was this?

This was a cross-sectional investigation of all reported deaths related to the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic. The data was obtained through compulsory reporting systems used by general practices and hospitals.

This research has investigated all deaths considered to be related to flu, which may together be expected to provide accurate projections of flu-related mortality rates. Broadly speaking, overall mortality rates are calculated by dividing the total number of deaths by the total number of cases. It is possible that the death rates calculated could have some unavoidable inaccuracy. They could either be a slight underestimate if there have been other deaths that have not been correctly attributed to swine flu, or a slight overestimate if the total number of swine flu cases has been underestimated. 

This study used data from medical reporting systems. An alternative way of measuring flu-related mortality would be solely to examine death certificates. However, this would probably involve some delay, meaning that statistics derived from them would not be up to date or may not be available soon enough to aid planning. Also, the accuracy of the figures obtained in this way would be subject to correct identification of flu as the primary cause of death as well as the accurate completion of death certificates.

What did the research involve?

Since July 2009, hospitals have been required to report all suspected and confirmed cases of swine flu death to the Department of Health. Deaths in hospitals prior to this time were identified using the Health Protection Agency’s flu reference centre and public health department records. From August 2009, a separate reporting system has been used for deaths occurring in the community, such as those occurring in the home.

All identified deaths were followed up by contacting the senior physician involved in reporting the death. Deaths were considered to have been caused by swine flu if this was the cause of death listed on the death certificate, or if swine flu had been confirmed by a laboratory before or after death. Underlying medical conditions, duration of illness and the use of flu drugs were taken into account. The researchers also considered how many of those who had died would have been eligible for the vaccination once it had arrived.

The researchers estimated the number of cases of flu per age group based on the proportion of suspected cases that were confirmed in laboratory tests, GP consultation rates for flu, population estimates from the Office for National Statistics and the estimated numbers that would not consult a GP. The researchers then calculated the specific case fatality rate per age group.

This was well-conducted research that has used the best possible methods to gain an accurate estimate of death rates of flu in England.

What were the basic results?

There were reportedly 138 deaths in England definitely attributable to swine flu between June and November 2009. An estimated 540,000 people had symptomatic flu during this period in England (around 1% of the population). From these figures, the estimated mortality rate was 26 deaths (range 11 to 66) per 100,000 people who had swine flu, or 0.026% of those affected. There was no difference between males and females.

The lowest death rate was in children aged five to 14, at 11 deaths per 100,000 cases. The highest rates were for those aged 65 years or over, at 980 deaths per 100,000 cases.

Of the 138 who died, the average age (median/middle) at time of death was 39 years. Fifty of these, or just over a third, (36%) were in previous good health with no, or only mild, pre-existing illness. However, two-thirds had either severe underlying disease (33%) or incapacitating prior illness (30%). Three quarters of those who died (108; 78%) had been prescribed antiviral drugs prior to death, but of these, 82 (76%) did not begin taking them within the first 48 hours of illness, as is recommended.

Death was on average 12 days after symptoms began. There was a peak of deaths in July, and a second wave in October and November. Had these people survived, 67% of them would have been eligible for the newly developed flu vaccine.

How did the researchers interpret the results?

The researchers conclude that mortality levels in this pandemic compare favourably with rates of death in the influenza pandemics of the 20th century. However, they say that public health measures are still required even though mortality rates appear low, and that the vaccination of high-risk groups remains a priority. They also say that as a third of the deaths occurred in previously healthy people, there is a case for extending the vaccination programme and for continuing to make early antiviral treatment widely available.

Conclusion

The H1N1 flu pandemic was announced by the World Health Organization on June 11 2009, after the strain first emerged in Mexico in March. So far, this well-conducted investigation into all deaths in England known to be attributable to swine flu from July-November 2009 has found 138 deaths out of an estimated 540,000 cases, which is about 26 deaths per 100,000 people (0.026% of those affected).

Other points to note:

This research does appear to show that death rates in the swine flu pandemic are lower than previously anticipated, but that vigilance and the prompt use of antivirals when indicated, in addition to the vaccination schedule, remain important.

A vaccine is now available to the public to inoculate us against H1N1 swine flu. It has been tested for effectiveness and safety and is being distributed throughout the United States to medical practices and state and local health departments. (Please note, if you find any claim that you can purchase swine flu vaccine, online or anywhere else, know that this claim is bogus.)

How Is the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Developed?

The H1N1 swine flu vaccine was developed like any flu vaccine is developed. According to the FDA (pdf), "seed" virus, in this case the H1N1 swine flu virus, is injected into fertilized eggs where it grows into the agent needed to vaccinate human beings. Once the material has grown in the eggs, it gets distributed to manufacturers who use it to develop individual doses of either an injectable or a nasal vaccine. From there it is distributed to the organizations who make it available to the public – medical practices, government health organizations and others.

Why Is There a Shortage of H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine?

In the United States, the federal government approved the swine flu vaccine for production in April 2009. Based on the growth patterns in previous years of seasonal flu seed vaccine, then vaccination doses, it estimated that 120 million doses of swine flu vaccine would be ready for the public by mid-October. What was not anticipated was the slower growth of the virus during the egg stages of development, meaning, the remaining aspects of production were delayed. As of late October 2009, only about 10% of the expected doses were ready for injection.

Additional delays are chalked up to capacity. The manufacturers that produce vaccines were already running full throttle developing seasonal flu vaccines. Decisions had to be made about whether to repurpose their manufacturing lines to swine flu vaccine production, replace those lines all together, or exactly how to handle this additional load of manufacturing.

A further drain on the supply occurred when officials decided that many children would need two doses instead of just one to protect them completely. That means that twice as many doses will be needed for many children, increasing the demand by possibly 30%.

The revised estimate for H1N1 swine flu vaccine dose delivery is 150 million doses by the end of 2009. It remains to be seen whether that will happen, or what further problems may crop up.

Who Should Get the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine?

The World Health Organization (WHO) met in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss the reach of pandemic Novel H1N1 swine flu across the globe, and to discuss progress in the development of the vaccine and the approach countries should take to assure vaccination of its citizens.

American public health officials reviewed the WHO recommendations, then developed their priority list of who should receive H1N1 vaccinations.

According to the CDC, citizens should be vaccinated in this order:

Note: children under age six months are too young to get the vaccine.

Information about vaccination or precautions for specific groups of people such as pregnant women, schools and daycare centers, businesses, people who suffer from specific medical conditions, even people who work with pigs, can be found at the CDC’s website.

How Many Doses of the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Do I Need to Get?

Make sure you understand that in late 2009, there are two vaccines officials believe we will need to develop the most protection from flu. One vaccine is intended to prevent catching the H1N1 swine flu and a second vaccine is needed to protect against the seasonal flu, the flu that comes around once a year.

As of October 2009, the CDC is recommending:

Can I Get Both the Seasonal and the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine at the Same Time?

Whether or not you can get doses of both vaccines at the same time depends on the type of administration (shots vs. mist, or killed vs live) that you will be receiving. Your safest bet is to ask your doctor what he or she recommends.

If I was vaccinated in 1976 against swine flu, do I need to get the 2009 vaccine?

According to the CDC, it is unlikely the vaccine given in 1976 will protect you from this more current strain of influenza.

I’m having trouble finding flu vaccine supplies. How can I find a place to get my flu shots?

If I Decide Not to Get the H1N1 Vaccine, or If I Am Unable to Get It, What Can I Do to Protect Myself?

The best defense against any flu or any infection, whether or not you have been vaccinated, is to practice good hygiene such as frequent handwashing. If you do get sick, stay home from school or work to prevent spreading it to others.

Sometimes the defense is a good offense, too. The World Health Organization estimates one third of us will get H1N1 swine flu regardless of what we do to prevent it. A smart patient prepares ahead of time by developing a swine flu plan for when a family member gets swine flu.

New York officials previously had said there were eight probable cases, but Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that it was swine flu, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

About 100 students at St. Francis Preparatory School, the largest private Catholic high school in the nation, complained of flu-like symptoms. The school canceled classes on Monday and Tuesday in response to the outbreak.

Bloomberg stressed that the cases in New York were mild and many are recovering, but also said that parents of the students had flu symptoms as well, "suggesting it is spreading person to person."

"We do know that some of the students from the school had a spring break in Mexico," Bloomberg said, surrounded by top city officials and members of Congress. "It is most likely to be brought back from Mexico, but nobody knows."

The outbreak, which has caused mild illnesses in the USA but has sickened more than 900 and may have caused 60 deaths in Mexico, is raising fears of a global flu pandemic. World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan said the outbreak had "pandemic potential," according to the Associated Press.

Also Sunday, Nova Scotia’s chief public health officer announced that the east coast Canadian province has four confirmed cases of swine flu. Four students from King’s-Edgehill School in Nova Scotia ranging in age from 12 to 17 or 18 are recovering. All of them had what he describes as "very mild" cases of the flu.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has confirmed two cases of swine flu in a home in Dickinson County. One of the patients there had recently traveled to Mexico, flying in and out of Wichita.

Just this past Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported eight confirmed cases in suburban San Diego and San Antonio, Texas, of an unusual new swine flu.

Swine flu is a respiratory infection that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs, but it’s rare in humans, however sporadic infections can occur, according to CDC’s Anne Schuchat, interim deputy director for Science and Public Health Program.

Human cases of swine flu typically involve people who have had direct contact with pigs, but person-to-person transmission is more likely in the cases in California and Texas.

The cases in California and Texas have been mild, but CDC officials said in a press conference early this afternoon that in Mexico, the same or a related strain of swine flu has killed many.

"We’re very fortunate all of our cases have been mild. Only 1 out of 8 confirmed cases in the Southwest has been hospitalized," Schuchat said.

Some infectious disease experts are concerned that Mexico’s flu situation only recently came to light. "I’m wondering if Mexico notified us soon enough?" says Neil Fishman, director of health care epidemiology and infection control at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

All three new British victims are said to have mild symptoms and to be responding to treatment at home.

The Health Protection Agency said 230 possible other cases were under investigation in the UK.

In Scotland, the health secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, said it was "probable" that one of the people in contact with honeymooners Iain and Dawn Askham had contracted the disease. If so, he would be the first person to be diagnosed who had not travelled to Mexico recently.

Sturgeon said: "If this case was confirmed it would be the first case in Scotland of onward transmission, but I stress it’s not confirmed at this stage."

She said the person, a male, had tested positive for type A flu and was having further tests to determine whether it was H1N1.

The new victim from the north-east, who had recently returned from Mexico, shares a house with two Newcastle University students living off-campus, the university said today. It said it had spoken to the Health Protection Agency and had decided not to shut down.

In a statement, the university said: "Neither of the students concerned has so far displayed any flu-like symptoms. Both students have received the anti-viral Tamiflu, and they and the university have been advised by the Health Protection Agency that there is no need for the students to isolate themselves from the community unless they show symptoms."

Ireland also reported its first probable case of swine flu this afternoon, a man who has recently returned from Mexico. The chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said tests had shown the man had Influenza A, and he was now being tested for H1N1.

Pat Wall, professor of public health at University College Dublin, said the case was "likely to be positive".

The latest cases came as the UK’s chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said today he was "concerned but not alarmed" after the World Health Organisation raised its swine flu global epidemic threat level to phase five, the second highest.

He said the UK would see "many more cases" of swine flu but most people would make a good recovery.

From next Tuesday, all UK households will receive an information leaflet on swine flu outlining the Department of Health’s to encourage people to use tissues when they sneeze.

The first Britons confirmed with swine flu have left hospital and are "very well", Scotland’s first minister, Alex Salmond, said today. The Askhams had been treated in an isolation ward after falling ill after their honeymoon in Mexico.

A second newlywed couple who feared they had contracted swine flu in Mexico were among those given the all-clear. Pete and Jenny Marshall had been on honeymoon in Cancún, the same resort as the Askhams, and reported flu-like symptoms and other illnesses.

After the three British cases of swine flu confirmed yesterday the Department of Health stepped up its emergency response with plans to purchase additional stocks of antiviral drugs and face masks.

Those three Britons – a 12-year-old girl from Paignton, Devon; a 41-year-old woman from Redditch, Worcestershire; and a 22-year-old man from north-west London – had recently returned from Mexico. The child was on the same flight into Birmingham as the Askhams.

Her school, Paignton community college, has been closed for a week. All 267 pupils in her school year and all teachers who might have come into contact with her have been given the antiviral drug Tamiflu, the college principal, Jane English, told a press conference today. English said the girl attended school on Wednesday to Friday last week after returning from holiday but had not been in since.

Dr Sarah Harrison, a public health consultant for Torbay Care trust, said of the afflicted pupil: "She is suffering from flu, so she’s not feeling very well, but she’s improving." She said 340 courses of Tamiflu had been given out in Devon and dozens of people were being monitored for the virus in the area.

Chemists in Torbay were selling out of face masks, nasal sprays and hand washes today. A spokesman for Crossways pharmacy, also in Paignton, said: "Our customers are very keen to take precautionary measures against swine flu. So far we have sold out of medicated hand gels and completely sold out of face masks. We sold out within hours of the first case in Torbay being announced."

Pregnant women should take prescription flu medicines if they are diagnosed with the new swine flu, health officials said Tuesday.

So far, the swine flu has not proven to be much more dangerous than seasonal influenza, and it’s not clear whether or not pregnant women catch swine flu more often than other people. But in general, flu poses added risks for pregnant women, said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pregnancy weakens a woman’s immune system, so that she’s more likely to suffer pneumonia when she catches the flu. In earlier flu pandemics, infection also raised the risk of a premature birth, said Schuchat.

So far, some 20 pregnant women have contracted the novel H1N1 virus now confirmed in more than 6,000 around the world. Three deaths have been confirmed in the United States. One of the three was a Texas woman who was pregnant. Her baby was delivered via Caesarean section while she was hospitalized.

Pregnant women with asthma and some other health conditions are particularly at risk for complications.

Risks from the virus are greater than the unknown risks to the fetus from the drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, Schuchat said at a press conference Tuesday.

“We really want to get the word out about the likely benefits of prompt antiviral treatment” for pregnant women, she said. CDC officials recommend Tamiflu for pregnant women.

Antiviral medications such as Tamiflu and Relenza can help lessen or avert complications, she said.

Most H1N1 flu patients do not require antiviral therapy to recover, a World Health Organization expert said on Tuesday, so saving such stockpiles for pregnant women and patients with underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes may prove most prudent.

"We will recommend to consider the use of antivirals for high risk groups," said Nikki Shindo, a medical officer with the WHO’s global flu program.

Still, the flu medicines’ effectiveness is somewhat limited, studies have shown. They can relieve symptoms and shorten the disease by about a day. They only work if started within 48 hours of first symptoms, and little is known about whether they cut the chances of serious flu complications. Most people recover from the flu with no medical treatment.

But a 33-year-old pregnant Texas woman who had swine flu died last week, after giving birth through an emergency cesarean section. At least 20 other pregnant women have swine flu, including three who were hospitalized.

Pregnant women with confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu should take the antiviral medicines for five days, the CDC recommends.

In total, over 4,000 U.S. cases of swine flu have been confirmed through lab testing so far, most of them ages 18 and under. Officials think the actual number of infections is much higher, and that infections are still occurring.

CDC officials said the swine flu may seem to be mild now, but they worry the virus will mutate into something more dangerous. One concern is that it will combine with the more deadly but less easily spread bird flu virus that has been circulating in Asia and other parts of the world.

The newest information from the health department says several samples from Central Florida cases have been sent to the CDC. However, the Florida Department of Health told Eyewitness News early Tuesday evening no samples from anywhere in Florida have been sent to the CDC.

So far, there are no confirmed cases of swine flu in Central Florida.

Florida Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Loran Hauck, sent the email and it didn’t take long for word to get around. His email said there was a diagnosed case of swine flu.

Two hours after Eyewitness News broke the story on WFTV.com, Dr. Scott Brady, the medical director for Florida Hospital Centra Care, where the case in question and two other possible cases came in, called a press conference (watch press conference).

“This was a direct answer to a question about swine flu. Did your chief medical officer speak out of turn?” Belich asked Brady.

“I have not spoken to the CMO about that,” Brady said.

“You haven’t?” Belich asked.

“It’s not confirmed,” Brady said.
You have not spoken to him about why he generated this email?” Belich asked.
I don’t know why he generated the email,” Brady said.
Eyewitness News tried to speak to Dr. Hauck about why he sent the email, but the hospital denied it. Instead, Florida Hospital released a statement from him late Tuesday afternoon.
I regret that an unofficial e-mail I sent to a friend has been taken out of context,” Hauck wrote in the press release. “My intent was to comment on current influenza cases in Central Florida, but I regret my strong choice of words. I apologize for the concern this has caused.”

While Hauck’s statement says he was really talking about “current influenza cases” and not swine flu, he only referred to one specific diagnosed case when Florida Hospital says it has had numerous cases of diagnosed influenza.

Dr. Brady told Eyewitness News a Mexican tourist who had been to Disney came into one of the clinics Sunday night with the flu. On Monday, they swabbed the tourist and said they sent the culture to the CDC. Florida Hospital says it sent two more cultures from Orlando to the CDC on Tuesday, but the the Florida Department of Health denies having sent any samples to the CDC.

Orange County Health Officer Dr. Kevin Sherin won’t say exactly how many possible cases there are in the county. He’s been asked by the health department not to do that, but says if there is a confirmed case he will get that information out right away.

Shortly after the hospital’s press conference, the Florida’s Health Department held their own (watch press conference).

At this time we have no confirmed cases here in Florida,” Florida Surgeon General Ana M. Viamonte Ros said during theTuesday afternoon press conference.

Viamonte Ros said several samples are being sent to state labs where, if they get a positive test, they are then forwarded to the CDC for confirmation.

“Several tests are being conducted at this time, but there are no confirmed cases at this time” Viamonte Ros said.

TOURIST INDUSTRY COULD BE HURT BY SWINE FLU FEARS

Disney will only say it’s following CDC guidelines, but Eyewitness News talked to one guy who’s telling his friends and family who work on Disney property to wear a mask and not take any chances.

The threat of swine flu has hit Central Florida’s tourist district. One family from the United Kingdom heard of a possible case in Orlando and the news has made them a bit uneasy.

“Scary, scary,” tourist Paul Brennan told Eyewitness News. “I think it’s killed 160 people so far. Obviously, a bit of a worry.”

Disney has not confirmed any cases on property and will only say it is following all health department guidelines.

Universal told Eyewitness News the same thing, but it sparked impromptu discussions at Tuesday’s Orange County commission meeting.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau admits it is concerned but says it has no plans to do anything different right now. There is a crisis plan already in place and daily communication is a priority.

“Depending on where this goes could have an impact. We try to minimize the impact, let people know the true story,” said Danielle Courtney, Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The CVB has 1,300 local members and said it will disseminate information as needed to those members. Part of that communication is to local hotels feeding them tips on sterilization. The hotel owners Eyewitness News talked to said thorough sanitizing is already part of their daily routine and that’s how some tourist see it, too.

Life’s too short at end of day to worry about things like this,” tourist Edward Howard said.

Eyewitness News spoke on Tuesday afternoon with Harris Rosen, who owns several hotels in the tourist area. He said he has had no cancellation due to the swine flu scare or a decline in business. Eyewitness News checked with OIA and there were two flights from Mexico arriving Tuesday.