Swine Flu Updates

Sunday May 10, 2009 (foodconsumer.org) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) updated information regarding the outbreak of the H1N1 flu Sunday on its website, stating that as of May 10, a total of 4379 people in 29 countries have been diagnosed with the new flu. The organization reported 45 deaths related to the H1N1 flu.

Mexico has been hit hardest by the H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu, reporting 1626 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection which includes 45 deaths, compared to 1,364 cases reported yesterday.

The United States has reported 2254 cases, including two deaths, compared to 1639 cases reported on Saturday, the WHO reports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Sunday that it has received 2532 case reports from 44 states including three deaths from H1N1 flu.

The number of influenza A (H1N1) cases reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention likely underestimated the actual number, stated Anne Schuchat, MD, on Medpage Today. Dr. Schuchat is the Director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

Canada has also seen an increase in lab confirmed human cases of infections; 280 cases were reported today compared to 242 cases reported on Saturday. One person has died from the infection.

Costa Rica has confirmed one death from the influenza A(H1N1) virus for the first time. In total, the country reported eight human cases Sunday compared to one case previously, but no deaths as of Saturday.

Countries that have reported human cases, but no death include Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Brazil (6), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (12), Germany (11), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (4), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (7), Panama (3), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (93), Sweden (1), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (39).

The flu virus is combination of genetic material from the swine, bird and human viruses. It is believed that the strain is not as lethal as thought.

The WHO stated that international travel should not be affected by the outbreak. But WHO Director-General Margaret Chan has raised the global alert level last week to 5 out of 6 in response to the outbreak of H1N1 flu, meaning that a pandemic is imminent, Reuters reported Saturday.

The CDC recommend the following:

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

  * Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
  * Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
  * Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
  o Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  o Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  o Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  * Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
  * Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.

(By David Liu and edited by Will Levine)