foodconsumer.org: Schools reopen as U.S. reports first swine flu death

Schools reopen as U.S. reports first swine flu death
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admin on 05/07/2009 00:56:00
 
U.S. schools that shut-down due to swine flu fears are re-opening as health
officials are lifting a recommendation that schools with an infected student
shut down, numerous sources report.  Meanwhile, the U.S. has reported its first
native swine flu death.
The virus has caused the close of at least 726 schools throughout the nation,
affecting more than 480,000 students, reports the Washington Post.  The
recommendation that caused the shutdown suggests that a school close for two
weeks if one student is reported to have swine flu, or virus AH1N1.  New
recommendations suggest that sick students should merely stay home.  The
decision to remove the closure recommendation came as U.S. health officials are
finding that the majority of cases in the country have been mild.  Most cases do
not appear to be as aggressive as the flu that caused larger numbers of
fatalities in Mexico.  Jose Cordova, the Mexican Health Minister, stated that
the number of swine flu cases in Mexico is on the decline.
Still, Bloomberg News reports that the death of a 33-year-old teacher Judy
Trunnell in Texas brought World Health Organization officials close to declaring
a pandemic.  Richard Besser of the United States Center for Disease Control and
Prevention stated yesterday that countries who have not seen the virus yet
should prepare for outbreaks.  Yet, Besser also stated that the school-closure
recommendations should be reversed.
Bloomberg reports that the current tally of swine flu cases in America is up to
403.  The Washington Times corroborates the number, adding that there are more
than 700 probable cases.  Twenty-one countries have been afflicted with a total
1,490 cases.  Fifty-seven cases in Spain are being monitored alongside 27 in the
U.K. in order to determine if the virus has “established itself” outside
North America, Bloomberg reports.  If it is found that the virus has established
itself, the WHO would be forced to declare its first pandemic since 1968.
The numbers perhaps reflect a small portion of actual cases, many of which may
go unreported.  The data collected thus far suggests that the disease
disproportionately affects a younger age group than common influenza.  Younger
patients seem to be reporting more severe symptoms, as well.  So far both
fatalities reported in the U.S. occurred in Texas.  Though evidence is beginning
to point to a less alarming swine flu than initially suspected, Secretary of
Homeland Security Janet Napolitano reinforced that “this is not a time for
complacency…people are still getting infected and sick.”
(By Will Levine, and edited by Heather Kelley)