Fluview - Flu Updates Released April 23

It seems that swine flu or h1n1 virus is almost non-existent anymore.  The April 23 update on the flu activity only mentions the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus a couple of times.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) April 23 updated the flu activity or key flu indicators in a report called Fluview saying that during the week of April 11 to 17, 2010, nationally most key flu indicators declined slightly compared to the previous week.

Visits to doctors for flu-like illness were low and on the decline nationally. All 10 regions reported flu-like illnesses below region-specific baseline levels.  And few lab-confirmed hospitalizations were reported by states during the week.

Deaths due to pneumonia and flu based on reports from 122 cities increased over the last week, but generally were not higher than expected, the CDC said.  No more pediatric deaths from flu or pneumonia were reported this week.

Still the CDC reminded readers that since April 2009, the agency had received reports of 337 lab-confirmed pediatric deaths, 281 due to 2009 swine flu H1N1 virus, 53 due to influenza A with its subtype undetermined and three deaths from seasonal flu.  The majority of deaths occurred in children with known health conditions.

No more states this week reported widespread or regional flu activity.  But the 2009 pandemic h1n1 flu virus was still around. The majority of flu viruses were still swine flu H1n1 influenza A, which is similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 swine flu  H1N1 vaccine.

Those who want some protection against H1N1 virus may consider maintaining high levels of vitamin D in their blood.  Both observational and trial studies have already demonstrated that vitamin D may be equally if not more effective at protecting against swine flu H1N1.

JD