Curtas do Bryant´s

WHO – Influenza A(H1N1) update – 898 cases worldwide

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued an update regarding the outbreak of Influenza A(H1N1). As of 1600 GMT, 3 May 2009 seventeen (18) countries have reported 787 cases of Influenza A(H1N1) infection: Mexico – 506; United States – 226; Canada – 85; Costa Rica – 1; Austria – 1; Denmark – 1; France – 2; Germany – 8; Ireland – 1; Italy - 1; the Netherlands – 1; Spain – 40; Switzerland – 1; the United Kingdom – 15; China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region – 1; Israel – 3; Republic of Korea – 1; and New Zealand – 4. In an ironic twist, the update states that the virus has been identified in a swine herd in Alberta, Canada and that it is highly probable that the pigs contracted the virus from a Canadian farm worker who recently returned from Mexico. WHO recommends no restrictions be imposed on regular travel and on border crossings, but individuals who are ill should consider delaying unnecessary international travel. Meanwhile, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an update reporting 226 confirmed cases in 30 states. (5/3/09).

EU – piracy updates

The European Union Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa [EU MSC(HOA)] issued an press release stating that a UK-owned bulk carrier was hijacked in the Indian Ocean approximately 250 nautical miles south-west of the Seychelles islands, shortly after another, albeit unsuccessful piratical attack in the same vicinity some hours earlier. A second press release reports on recent strengthening of the Operation Atalanta fleet operating in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. There are now eleven ships, and four maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. A third press release states that a French warship stopped a suspected mothership and two skiffs, detaining eleven suspected pirates. (5/3/09).

NATO – piracy update

The NATO Shipping Centre issued an update stating that a merchant vessel in the Indian Ocean 1,150 nautical miles east of Mombasa, Kenya reported that it was attacked by pirates in two white speedboats. The pirates fired on the ship but broke off the attack when the ship increased speed to 20 knots. Note: This reported attack is significantly further from shore than prior ones. It may represent a major shift in tactics and/or capability by the pirates. (5/1/09).

USGS – methylmercury entering the Pacific Ocean

The US Geological Survey (USGS) issued a news highlight reporting discovery of a new source of methylmercury entering waters of the North Pacific Ocean – air emissions of mercury, primarily originating in Asia. The mercury emissions settle into the ocean waters where they are taken up by algae. The algae die and rain down into the mid-depth regions where bacteria convert mercury into highly toxic methylmercury. The methyl mercury is passed into the food chain, eventually accumulating in top predator fish such as tuna that are consumed by humans. (5/1/09).

Milwaukee – homeland security and emergency preparedness exercise

The US Coast Guard issued a press release stating that more than 350 emergency response and law enforcement personnel from 30 agencies will participate in a homeland security and emergency response exercise in the Port of Milwaukee on Tuesday, May 5. (5/1/09).

Bills introduced re marine renewable energy technologies

Senator Murkowski (R-AK) and Representative Inslee (D-WA) introduced companion versions of the Marine Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2009 (S. 923 and H.R. 2148 respectively) to promote the development and use of marine renewable energy technologies, and for other purposes. (4/28/09). Fonte: Dennis Bryant.