Week 34 Swine Flu Update

This week Swine Flu update 1109 specimens were tested by the WHO and Centers for Disease Control were positive for the H1N1. The numbers of positive swine flu specimens were higher than usual. The deaths that are related to the H1N1 is down due to awareness and receiving medical care as soon as possible. Most deaths reported attributed to pnemonia but still remain below epidemic threshold. It is still spreading rapidly and has become widespread in the Southeastern part of the United States.

Six states including Puerto Rico reported widespread activity of the H1N1 virus. Thirteen states reported Regional activity, Ten states and DC reported Local activity and nineteen states reported sporadic activity. Virgin Islands and Guam did not report.

As of September 4, 2009 there have been 9079 hospitalizations and 593 deaths in the United States Alone .Sixteen deaths ages 0-4, Ninety-three deaths in the age group of five-twenty-four, Two Hundred and Forty Nine deaths reported in adults ages Twenty five to forty-nine, One hundred and seventy-one deaths for adults fifty-sixty-four and fifty seven deaths ages sixty-five and older. Seven deaths were reported with no age.

It is very important that you wash your hands on a very regular basis, getting the H1N1 Virus is as simple as coming in contact with something or someone contaminated and then touching you mouth, nose or eyes.  The H1N1 Virus immediately attacks the respiratory System.  Any sign of cough and fever should be taken seriously and medical attention should be sought immediately.

 One case of human infection with a novel influenza A virus was reported by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The case patient was infected with a swine influenza A (H3N2) virus and reported contact with pigs in the week preceding symptom onset, July 28, 2009. The patient did not require hospitalization and has fully recovered. Although the investigation is ongoing, there does not appear to have been sustained human-to-human transmission with this virus. Early identification and investigation of these cases is critical to evaluate the extent of the outbreak and possible human-to-human transmission. Surveillance for human infections with novel influenza A viruses continues, even with the sustained community transmission of the 2009 H1N1 virus