H1N1 Flu-Updates!

The H1N1 Flu known as the swine flue continues to spread in the United States and infect a lot of people.

3,352 Confirmed Cases in 45 States (includes the District of Columbia)



As you can see in the table below:

U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection

(As of May 13, 2009, 11:00 AM ET)

States* Laboratory confirmed Cases and Deaths

Alabama 9
Arizona 187
California 221
Colorado 44
Connecticut 33
Delaware 54
Florida 58
Georgia 8
Hawaii 6
Idaho 3
Illinois 592
Indiana 70
Iowa 55
Kansas 23
Kentucky** 10
Louisiana 33
Maine 6
Maryland 23
Massachusetts 107
Michigan 134
Minnesota 31
Missouri 18
Montana 1
Nebraska 21
Nevada 21
New Hampshire 17
New Jersey 8
New Mexico 44
New York 211
North Carolina 12
Ohio 11
Oklahoma 22
Oregon 74
Pennsylvania 22
Rhode Island 7
South Carolina 32
South Dakota 3
Tennessee 57
Texas 293 (2 - deaths)
Utah 72
Vermont 1
Virginia 17
Washington 176 (1)
Washington, D.C. 9
Wisconsin 496


TOTAL*(45) 3352 cases 3 deaths

*includes the District of Columbia

**one case is resident of KY but currently hospitalized in GA.

This table will be updated daily Monday-Friday at around 11 AM ET.

For more info. see the World Health Organization.

source:cdc.gov

H1N1 Flu (swine flu) ...

what is H1N1 virus (swine flu?



H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

Why is this new H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?

This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.

H1N1 flu updates....

The ongoing outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1) continues to expand in the United States. CDC expects that more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths from this outbreak will occur over the coming days and weeks.

U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection
(As of May 7, 2009, 11:00 AM ET)

TOTAL

States (41)

Laboratory confirmed cases - 896

Deaths - 2

International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection,
see World Health Organization


Antiviral Guidance

CDC has issued guidance for health care providers on the use of antiviral medications during the current outbreak. The priority use for influenza antiviral drugs is to treat severe influenza illness and people who are at high risk of serious influenza-related conditions.
School Guidance

At this time, CDC recommends the primary means to reduce spread of influenza in schools focus on early identification of ill students and staff, staying home when sick, and good cough etiquette and frequent hand washing. Decisions about school closure should be at the discretion of local authorities based on local considerations. (See the School Guidance.)
Increased Testing

CDC has developed a PCR diagnostic test kit to detect this novel H1N1 virus and has now distributed test kits to all states in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The test kits are being shipped internationally as well. This will allow states and other countries to test for this new virus. This increase in testing capacity is likely to result in an increase in the number of reported confirmed cases in this country, which should provide a more accurate picture of the burden of disease in the United States.

To read more about the Swine flu virus please click the link below:

cdc.gov