Volcanic News Blog!

Two FREE Apple iPhones 3G's

2009-05-07T14:11:00.000-07:00

What's better then receiving one iPhone 3G... receiving two!!! Surfers who participate in this campaign can own two of the hottest new iPhone from Apple. Only Email address is required.

Defining the swine flu pandemic: "Some Basic Information"

2009-05-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

Health watchdogs are watching developments in Mexico and the US carefully after human cases of swine flu were reported. How worried should we be about the illness?

Q: What is swine flu?

A: It is a contagious respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses.

Pigs are hit by regular outbreaks.

There are many different types of swine flu and the current cases involve the H1N1 strain of type A influenza virus.

Q: How do humans catch it?

A: While people do not normally catch it, humans can contract the virus, usually if they have been in close contact with pigs.

It is also possible for the constantly changing infection to spread from person to person, which has happened in the latest outbreak.

Experts believe it spreads in the same way as seasonal flu - through coughing and sneezing.

Q: What are the symptoms?

A: The symptoms of swine influenza in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza infection and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat.

Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea.

Q: What is the difference between swine flu, avian flu and the flu commonly seen in the UK during the winter?

A: Influenza viruses are commonly circulating in the human and animal environment, with different strains causing illness in humans, bird and pigs.

Seasonal influenza is caused by viruses that are adapted to spread in humans.

Humans have some natural immunity to the strains that are in common circulation, and this immunity can be boosted by immunisation with a vaccine.

Avian influenza is caused by influenza viruses adapted for infection in birds.

Similarly, swine influenza is caused by influenza viruses adapted for infection in pigs.

These illnesses all cause the same respiratory symptoms in sufferers and can be passed between one another.

Q: How dangerous is it?

A: More than 80 people have died and thousands made ill, in Mexico in particular, although cases have also been reported in the US and New Zealand.

However, testing has shown that the antiviral drugs oseltamavir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) appear to be effective against the human swine influenza H1N1 strain,

Q: Why should we be worried about it?

A: The World Health Organisation warned the outbreak had "pandemic potential" and countries were advised to step up surveillance and preparation in case the infection spreads rapidly.

Flu viruses have the ability to change and mutate, making it difficult for drugs manufacturers to ensure effective vaccines are available.

The new version of the H1N1 virus is a mix of different animal and human versions of the disease. Mixing can lead to the development of changed viruses to which humans have little immunity.

Q: What is a pandemic?

A: If the flu spreads over a wide geographic area and affects a large proportion of the population it goes beyond an epidemic and becomes a pandemic.

According to the Health Protection Agency, an influenza pandemic is defined as a new or novel influenza virus that spreads easily between humans.

When new influenza viruses are introduced into the environment, humans do not have any natural immunity to protect against them.

Therefore, there is a risk that that new influenza viruses could develop into a pandemic if the virus passes easily from human-to-human.

Q: What is being done in the UK to prevent the infection?

A: The HPA said it is working with the UK government to review the current incident and any threat it poses to UK public health.

It advised people to follow general infection control practices and good hygiene to reduce transmission of all viruses.

This includes covering their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully, washing hands frequently with soap and water and cleaning surfaces which are regularly touched.

FIRST ADULT AMERICAN LIFE TO BE TAKEN BY SWINE FLU

Judy Trunnell’s tragic death seems to have belied the Health Experts’ hopes about the Swine Flu pandemic to be subsiding. It is reported that Jude had “chronic underlying health conditions” when she was admitted to a hospital on 19th April. Judy Trunnell was 33 year old pregnant lady. She gave birth to a healthy child before dying.

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Adam Lambet does it with "Whole Lotta Love"

2009-05-05T20:55:00.001-07:00

Adam Lambert's 'Whole Lotta Love' melts down 'American Idol' judges

Up first is Adam Lambert.Adam says he loves this week and wants to go out and kill it. Singing "Whole Lotta Love," this is like heaven for him -- just goes out all in leather, and is totally in control from the get- go.Slash says he's got killer pipes.

Totally believable, this is Adam at his best, scowling and pouring the song out. It's not amazingly creative, until the last few notes -- but man, he has got stage presence, and the audience is totally sucked into it. He's glaring throughout, playing up the rock god thing - -just spoils it with a smile as he basks in the applause.

Randy says this is the Adam that I love, you're a rock star waiting to happen. Kara calls him a rock god, wants him to make classic rock from the '70s, glam rock from the '80s. Wow, she's totally over the top, is screaming, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Paula can't speak straight either, she's too excited.

Simon says it was one of his favorite performances ever from Adam. "Nobody can top that now."

Yup, Adam's back -- and my guess is his fans are going to melt the phone lines voting for him hundreds of times each.

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Victoria Principal sues former housekeeper

2009-05-05T16:19:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Victoria Principal is embroiled in a legal fight with a former housekeeper that's worthy of a prime-time soap opera. It involves allegations of a gun, a sick dog and extortion.

Maribel Banegas claims she was fired by the former "Dallas" star on Dec. 26, but instead of paying her, the actress threatened to shoot her.

Principal, in a lawsuit filed Tuesday, states she pulled the gun only after Banegas injured her dog and was acting aggressively toward the actress and another worker. She claims Banegas repeatedly demanded money during an argument and refused to leave her home.

The dueling lawsuits will play out in Santa Monica, Calif. Neither woman's lawsuit lists an amount she is seeking.

The incident that sparked them happened at Principal's Malibu home. According to Principal's lawsuit, she hired Banegas from a temp agency and the woman was only employed with her for three days.

Banegas, in a lawsuit filed Friday, claims Principal fired her and refused to pay her after she took Principal's dog for a walk. The lawsuit claims Principal berated her for taking so long.

She claims that she locked herself in a room and called 911 after Principal pointed the gun at her. She is suing for false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and assault.

A phone message left for Banegas' attorney, Chris Allgreen, wasn't immediately returned Tuesday morning.

Principal's lawsuit claims Banegas took her dog on Dec. 26, and that when she returned with it an hour later, the dog was "visibly choking and shaking." The suit states she and Banegas got into a shouting match, and that it was the worker's aggressive behavior that compelled her to grab her gun.

Principal, 59, is suing for several claims including trespass, civil extortion and animal cruelty. Her lawsuit states that Banegas' treatment caused her dog to have weight loss and "significant injuries," including vertebrae damage.

Principal played Pamela Barnes Ewing in the hit series "Dallas" and has her own line of skin care products.

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