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Novel H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu) Update For Arkansans
As of Wednesday, July 29, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) reported 150 lab-confirmed cases of novel H1N1 influenza A (Swine Flu) in Arkansas in residents from 38 of the state"s 75 counties. There have been no deaths due to H1N1 influenza A in Arkansas.

Opinion Pieces React To Obama's Nomination Of Sotomayor To Supreme Court
Several newspapers on Wednesday included editorials and opinion pieces on President Obama"s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Summaries appear below. ~New York Times: Obama "seems to have made an inspired choice" in selecting Sotomayor as his nominee because she "has an impressive judicial record, a stellar academic background and a compelling life story," a Times editorial states. According to the editorial, "Based on what we know now, the Senate should confirm her so she can join the court when it begins its new term in October." The editorial notes that, "Conservative activists have already begun trying to paint Judge Sotomayor as a liberal ideologue, but her carefully reasoned, fact-based decisions indicate otherwise." The editorial continues, "If Judge Sotomayor joins the court, it will be a special point of pride for Hispanic-Americans," and "will also bring the paltry number of female justices back to two." It adds, "Judge Sotomayor, though, is more than just a distinguished member of two underrepresented groups. She is an accomplished lawyer and judge, who could become an extraordinary Supreme Court Justice" (New York Times, 5/27).~Gerard Magliocca, New York Times: In addition to sharing Obama"s "experience and intellect," Sotomayor "also mirror"s the president"s measured temperament," Magliocca, a law professor at Indiana University, writes in a Times opinion piece. Magliocca writes that he has known Sotomayor for 13 years and notes that although he is a conservative and has at times been "at odds with" Sotomayor professionally, he does not dispute her qualifications. According to Magliocca, "For those of us who think that intellectual rigor and fairness are the crucial factors" to be a Supreme Court justice, "no matter which party the president hails from, there is no question that Judge Sotomayor should be confirmed" (Magliocca, New York Times, 5/27).~USA Today: Upon hearing that Sotomayor was Obama"s nominee, Republican critics "quickly insisted that the Senate assure itself that Sotomayor would not make rulings based on her "personal politics, feelings and preferences,"" a USA Today editorial states. According to the editorial, "To some extent, the entire argument is overblown. People inevitably are the product of their experiences, and they can hardly shed their history and character at the courthouse door." The editorial continues, "That is why the court is enriched by having an eclectic mix of justices who can bring differing perspectives to bear on the case at hand." The editorial concludes, "Sotomayor"s education and experience make her far more than a political twofer who allowed Obama to check the "female" and "Hispanic" boxes. But there"s a limit to the application of empathy and heritage to the law, and her confirmation hearings will be an opportunity for her to spell out exactly where she believes that line falls," (USA Today, 5/27).~ Steven Waldman, Wall Street Journal: "Everyone seems to assume" that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is "ardently for abortion rights," but there is "stunningly little information about her abortion views -- and what we do know hardly paints her as a pro-choice activist," Waldman, president and editor-in-chief of Beliefnet.com and author of "Founding Faith," writes in a Journal opinion piece. He continues that Sotomayor has ruled only on three cases "indirectly related to abortion," and each time ruled in a way preferred by abortion-rights opponents, "albeit for reasons unrelated to the merits of abortion." Although Sotomayor"s decisions in the cases were related "to matters of constitutional law and criminal procedure, ... at a minimum, it showed that whatever her abortion views, it didn"t produce some powerful inclination against the pro-life position," according to Waldman. "Now all of this might not mean anything. She may prove to be a strong advocate of Roe v. Wade. But it"s telling that the abortion interest groups took sides without knowing anything about her abortion
News of the day
Reproductive Health Bill Could Reduce Maternal Mortality In Philippines
The number of Filipino "women who die yearly due to childbirth and pregnancy complications has doubled in the last four years," and a reproductive health bill opposed by some lawmakers and stalled in Congress could address this rise in maternal mortality, health groups say, ABS-CBN News reports. The bill includes a "range of programs to promote reproductive health through education and access" to family planning methods, according to ABS-CBN News.
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Swine Flu In Somerset - Briefing Note, UK

Public health experts throughout the UK and Somerset are now implementing new national guidance regarding the treatment and management of swine flu in the UK. Up until last week, public health doctors in Somerset had seen few "confirmed" cases of swine flu (only eight confirmed cases by 1st July) and were still implementing a process called "containment". This involved isolating individuals who believed they might be infected with swine flu (asking them to remain at home); mouth swab testing them and sending their swab sample for laboratory testing and virus confirmation. Close contacts of anyone "confirmed" with the H1N1 swine flu virus were being offered the antiviral drug, Tamiflu as a precautionary measure. Symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing, sore throat, pain in muscles and joints, headache and chills. Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea. Public health doctors are still stressing that in most confirmed cases of swine flu the patient has displayed only mild symptoms. The infection is "self limiting" and the majority of patients recover quickly after resting at home. Since Thursday 2nd July and following an announcement by the Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham and the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, the Health Protection Agency and Somerset"s public health services are only implementing a "treatment" response to any clinically diagnosed cases of swine flu. ("clinically" diagnosed means a GP believes the symptoms shown by the patient look like swine flu) The "Treatment" Phase This "treatment" phase means that from now on: - GPs will be able to diagnose and treat swine flu on the basis of patients" symptoms rather having to waiting for "confirmation" via laboratory results - The routine tracing of people who have come into contact with confirmed cases of swine flu will end. However people considered to be at high risk by their doctor may still be offered antivirals in some situations as a preventive measure. - Schools and other institutions will close only if local circumstances warrant it, for example if a significant number of pupils or teachers are ill. Advice To The Public To Reduce The Spread Of The Swine Flu Virus - To help limit the spread of swine flu it"s important to make sure that if you have symptoms, you don"t leave the house - don"t visit your GP or hospital - you should phone your GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or go to the website http://www.nhs.uk - Hygiene measures are important to help to reduce the spread of all viruses, including the swine flu virus. This includes: * Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and using a tissue when possible * Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully * Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face or to other people * Cleaning hard surfaces (such as door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product. - If you"re not poorly and do not have any symptoms there"s no reason that you shouldn"t continue to go about your daily routine. NHS


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