CDC estimates for spring’s swine flu outbreak in the millions

http://benkazie.wordpress.com/2009/10/31/cdc-estimates-for-springs-swine-flu-outbreak-in-the-millions/

H1N1 continues to be a major concern to all Americans. The CDC has now confirmed what most American’s already know – the numbers of persons affected is large and widespread. The data just released indicates that in the spring of 2009 as many as 5 million + individuals were infected with the swine flu virus. Official estimates for the fall are not in, but clearly are in the many millions. In another troubling bit of news, the death rate for children who require hospitalization from swine flu is just this past week, higher than for an entire year with the usual seasonal flu. Accordingly, some officials are now rethinking vaccination strategies arguing that many more school age children should be vaccinated. This is now in line with what a number of experts felt should have been the course from the beginning. In any event, there are still major shortages of vaccine for those that need to be and want to be vaccinated. Also, Tamiflu is in short supply in some areas, particularly in a liquid form which is most suitable for the treatment of young children who become ill. Early treatment is also considered important for those who become ill to prevent complications and the need for hospitalization. As present, physicians continue to counsel good common sense: avoid those who are infected, get vaccinated when vaccine is available (especially if an individual is in a high risk group), practice diligent hygiene and hand washing, and seek medical attention promptly if you are ill. Delays can cause more serious complications and lead to death, particularly in children . . . ben kazie md

There were 1.8 million to 5.7 million cases of swine flu in the country during the epidemic’s first spring wave, according to a new estimate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Thursday. From 9,000 to 21,000 people were hospitalized as a result, and up to 800 died from April to July, when it largely faded out, according to the estimates, which were conducted by the C.D.C. and the Harvard School of Public Health and published online in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. Researchers have not yet made similar calculations for the fall season, so CDC officials will say only that ‘many millions’ of people have now been infected.

Swine Flu Hit Millions in Spring, Agency Says – http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/health/30cdc.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=%2b%22Centers+for+Disease+Control%22&st=nyt

CDC gives new swine flu numbers – http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-sci-swine-flu30-2009oct30,0,6865331.story

October 30th CDC briefing on H1N1 flu and vaccine distribution – http://www.flu.gov/live/

Tracking how flu evolves _ it has sticky tricks – http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jVZeORscGcbvFihgSIKSOB0jm8XQD9BKTGH80