foodconsumer.org: Swine flu: case reports on the rise

Swine flu: case reports on the rise
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admin on 05/03/2009 00:04:00
 
Saturday May 2, 2009 (foodconsumer.org) --The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention announced Friday that as of May 1, a total of 141 cases of swine flu
including one death have been reported from 19 states.
The affected states include Arizona (4), California (13), Colorado (2), Delaware
(4), Illinois (3), Indiana (3), Kansas (2), Kentucky (1), Massachusetts (2),
Michigan (2), Minnesota (1), Nebraska (1), Nevada (1), New Jersey (5), New York
(50), Ohio (1), South Carolina (16), Texas (28) and Virginia (2).  One death
from swine flu was reported in Texas.
The real number of cases may be much larger than reported by the CDC, as it
takes some time for the local and state health agencies to file reports to the
CDC.
Worldwide, the World Health Organization updated the situation of the swine flu
or influenza A (H1N1) on May 2 on its website, saying that 15 countries have
officially reported 615 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.
Mexico is believed to be the origin of the outbreak.  As of May 2, the country
has confirmed 397 human cases including 16 deaths, an increase of 241 cases as
compared to the number of cases reported on May 1.  The WHO believes the rise is
due to the ongoing testing of previously collected specimens.
Other countries that have reported swine flu cases include Austria (1), Canada
(34), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Denmark (1), France
(1), Germany (4), Israel (2), the Netherlands (1), New Zealand (4), Republic of
Korea (1), Spain (13), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (13), according to
the WHO.
The WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders, but
considers it prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel, and
for those who have developed symptoms following international travel to seek
medical attention.
Regardless, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines and JetBlue Airways have
decided to reduce service to Mexico or cancel flights in response to the swine
flu outbreak, the Washington Post reports.
China also has banned flights from Mexico to Shanghai due to the concern over
the spreading of swine flu after one case was confirmed in a passenger from
Mexico.
Precautious measures are being taken in U.S. schools to curb the spread of H1N1
virus.  The U.S. Department of Education said Friday that more than 430 schools
in 18 states had closed. The closure could last for at least 14 days as it could
take 10 days for a person to develop symptoms after getting infected.
People infected with swine influenza A may develop symptoms similar to those of
seasonal flu including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills
and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting may also be possible.  Like other infectious
diseases, people who have underlying chronic medical conditions are at a higher
risk.
(Written by David Liu and edited by Heather Kelley)