Monday, April 27, 2009

Swine Flu Update

[Update- 5/1/09]Confirmed cases in 19 states in U.S. and 11 countries.


[Update]4/30/09- CDC has confirmed US cases to 109.

[Update- 4/29/09] CDC reports 91 cases confirmed in the U.S..... update found here.

[Update]4/29/09, 64 confirmed cases in the US.

Most Recent Update 4/28/09- Number Of Swine Flu Confirmed Cases Continue To Rise.

Updated numbers on the cases of Swine Flu in the U.S., which started in Mexico, are listed at the CDC (Center of Disease Control and Prevention) and that is being updated continuously as new cases are confirmed.

California 7 cases
Kansas 2 cases
New York City 8 cases
Ohio 1 case
Texas 2 cases
TOTAL COUNT 20 cases


According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. now has 40 cases, no offered reason for the differences in the CDC numbers compared to the WHO numbers as of yet.

The World Health Organization says there are now 40 confirmed cases of swine flu in the United States and that it «very concerned» about the disease's spread.
WHO says none of the cases in the U.S. have been fatal.

But the U.N. agency says it could decide in a matter of hours whether to raise its pandemic alert level as a result of the increasing number of confirmed swine flu cases in Mexico and elsewhere.


In Mexico, the numbers continue to rise as well, ranging (depending on what article you read)from 1,300- 1,600 infected and from 81 to 100 dead, from this latest outbreak of Swine Flu.

In New Zealand there are three reported cases of students, returning from Mexico after spending Spring break there.

Spain has also become the first country outside North America that has confirmed a case of Swine Flu.

According to the Press Association, one Canadian woman is being tested for Swine Flu.

Statement by WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan:

In response to cases of swine influenza A(H1N1), reported in Mexico and the United States of America, the Director-General convened a meeting of the Emergency Committee to assess the situation and advise her on appropriate responses.

The establishment of the Committee, which is composed of international experts in a variety of disciplines, is in compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005).

The first meeting of the Emergency Committee was held on Saturday 25 April 2009.

After reviewing available data on the current situation, Committee members identified a number of gaps in knowledge about the clinical features, epidemiology, and virology of reported cases and the appropriate responses.

The Committee advised that answers to several specific questions were needed to facilitate its work.

The Committee nevertheless agreed that the current situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.

Based on this advice, the Director-General has determined that the current events constitute a public health emergency of international concern, under the Regulations.

Concerning public health measures, in line with the Regulations the Director-General is recommending, on the advice of the Committee, that all countries intensify surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia.

The Committee further agreed that more information is needed before a decision could be made concerning the appropriateness of the current phase 3.


Listed below are the recent reports on this sometimes deadly Swine Flu.

"Flu Outbreak Raises a Set of Questions"

"Countries race to contain swine flu outbreak"

"As flu hits, holes in W.H. health team"

"Europe Urges Citizens to Avoid U.S. and Mexico Travel"

"Stocks Fall Amid Swine Flu Concerns "

"As fear of flu spreads, all key Health and Human Services jobs still unfilled"

"European Union Revives Pandemic Plan"


Resources: Keep up with the latest official numbers at the CDC and WHO websites.

Make sure to also read the Q & A page from the CDC, which answers many of the most commonly asked questions concerning this latest concern.

There will be updates as new cases are confirmed.


Previously:

"Swine Flu: U.S. Declares Public Emergency"

"Swine Flu: Pandemic Potential"