View 2009 H1N1 Flu Outbreak Map in a larger map

Don’t panic yet, though! Out of six cases of swine flu, also known as H1N1, confirmed in Pima County on Saturday, May 02, 2009 all six have recovered. Only two out of six were students in Tucson area.

So, lets hope the virus is not going to be as deadly as in Mexico and will pass by as a regular flu. What I still don’t understand though is why so many Mexicans have died from this virus?
- Is it just because swine flu is much more spread in Mexico than in the US?
- Is it because it began a month earlier in Mexico and US will follow the trend in a few weeks?
- Is there difference in climate or nutrition?
Does anyone have any ideas?

So far, the symptoms of swine flu in people are somewhat similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also indicated to have sore throat, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

However, someone with the flu symptoms would face a dilemma of going to the Doctor or Emergency Room and spend time around all other possible swine flu victims, or stay at home and guess on the nature of the disease. Not such a pleasant choice in my view.

Here is the current map of 2009 Swine Flu outbreak:

View H1N1 Swine Flu in a larger map

Influenza A Evolution (History):

1874 — (H3N8)
1890 — (H2N2) …………………….Pandemic
1902 — (H3N2)
1918 — (H1N1)……………………..”Spanish” Pandemic
1933 — (H1N1)……………………..First strains isolated
1947 — (H1N1)……………………..Variation detected
1957 — (H2N2)……………………..”Asian” Flu pandemic
1968 — (H3N2)……………………..”Hong Kong” Flu pandemic
1976 — (H1N1)……………………..”Swine” Flu, non-epidemic
1977 — (H1N1) + (H3N2)………….”Russian” Flu epidemic
2003 — (H3N2)……………………..”Fujian” Flu outbreak

In 1918-1919 “Spanish” influenza pandemic affected about 30 percent (500 million people or so) of the total world population, leaving 50 million (and arguably as much as 100 million) dead. There were 3 waves, with first being the mildest.

Asian flu pandemic struck in two waves, in the autumn of 1957 and then in early 1958, with very high rates of illness and an increase in fatalities. One million people were killed worldwide, but only 70,000 people died in the U.S., thanks to the vaccines.

Hong Kong Flu 1968 pandemic was milder than that of 1957, and spread more slowly than previous pandemics. Between 1 million and 4 million people are estimated to have died worldwide, and around 34,000 people were killed in the U.S.

2009 Swine Flu outbreak has started in March and is widely compared to the 1918 pandemic. Virus type, time of the year, average mortality age – there are a lot of similarities. In a month, the flu virus spread enormously fast around Mexico, US and other countries due to a lot of travel activity, especially during the spring break season.

As such, just to be on the safe side, we are keeping kids at home since Monday. I have cut my participation in any meetings and didn’t even go to the “Villas at Sabino Canyon” Condominiums Auction.

Unfortunately, today the news broke out that Maricopa County, Arizona, US now has 1 confirmed case of Swine Flu and 20 suspected cases (24 total cases). One of the Phoenix schools has been closed. Meanwhile, Tucson is so close to Mexico, California and Phoenix, that it is probably just a matter of days, if not hours, until we hear about Swine Flu case in Tucson, AZ.

I hope I’d be wrong on that.

Yesterday, Fed has cut key interest rate to record low: zero to 0.25%.

One would think that there would be plenty of money for banks to issue new loans with low interest rates. That’s not exactly so, at least for now. As a Real Estate agent in Tucson, Arizona, I am talking weekly, if not daily to the lenders and mortgage consultants. Even though mortgage rates for conforming loans have moved significantly lower, it is now much harder for the Buyers to qualify for those loans. In addition to it, the rates didn’t move down as much as one would expect – the spread between Fed rates and mortgage rates is getting wider & wider. In other words, banks are keeping the difference, without passing the savings on to the Buyers. Same, if not worse applies to the non-conforming loans. For example, Jumbo mortgage rate is now almost 2% higher than it was at the end of 2005 – 8% vs. 6.375%, even though Federal Funds Target Rate moved down from 4.25% to almost 0%.

With this in mind, if you are planning to buy a house and HAVE the means to do so, do it wisely. It’s definitely a great time for bargaining the price and there are plenty of other things that can add value to your purchase.

If you need an advice on Buying or Selling home in Tucson, AZ, please visit http://www.FoothillsInsider.com. I specialize in the luxury residential real estate in the Catalina Foothills and North, NE, NW & E areas of Tucson.

Tucson is becoming an area synonymous with an easy-going lifestyle. Baby boomers are moving here in droves largely because of this. Everyone knows that in order to maximize lifespan, we have to minimize stress levels. The vast open expanses of desert coupled with the majesty of mountain ranges in every direction make for easy breathing in Tucson. Locals breathe in lungfulls of clear air daily from an atmosphere that falls well beneath the national pollution median. Laid-back attitudes and clean air are the best reasons for Tucson’s healthy longevity.

Tucson is an area that thrives on exercise. Golfing, horseback riding, hiking, mountain climbing, camping, swimming and fishing are all elements of the healthy style of living incorporated in Tucson. As a matter of fact, people that move here due so largely because of these factors. Very few places offer such an incredible chance to embrace nature as an integral component of daily life. Moving to the Tucson region means becoming much closer to a naturally healthy lifestyle.

The health care system in Tucson, Arizona is one of the best on the planet and ultra-modernized hospitals are at the forefront of Tucson’s healthcare system. Leaders in research from major universities in and around the area contribute to increased health rates. While the need for health care may be diminished in this healthful region, the availability of high-quality care is abundant.

Tucson, Arizona also provides above-national-average economic opportunities for its people to enjoy. The area’s qualities have generated a local population that is motivated towards happiness and health. This motivation directly affects the economy. Simply put, happy, healthy people create a buoyant economy which in turn helps keep them happy and healthy.

Personal economic schemes are paramount in the stress, and therefore health, levels of individuals. Clean air, great health care, bountiful outdoor activities and intentional relaxation are all parts of everyday existence in Tucson.  Come to Tucson: relax your soul and lengthen your lifespan.