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H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) – CDC Update, May 6, 2009


Atlanta, Georgia– (ENEWSPF)–May 6, 2009.

The ongoing outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1) continues to expand in the United States. CDC expects that more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths from this outbreak will occur over the coming days and weeks.

CDC continues to take aggressive action to respond to the expanding outbreak. CDC’s response goals are to reduce spread and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this emergency.

CDC is issuing updated interim guidance daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation.

School Guidance

This includes updated interim guidance for schools and childcare facilities on preventing the spread of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. At this time, CDC recommends the primary means to reduce spread of influenza in schools focus on early identification of ill students and staff, staying home when sick, and good cough etiquette and frequent hand washing. Decisions about school closure should be at the discretion of local authorities based on local considerations.

Increased Testing

CDC has developed a PCR diagnostic test kit to detect this novel H1N1 virus and has now distributed test kits to all states in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The test kits are being shipped internationally as well. This will allow states and other countries to test for this new virus. This increase in testing capacity is likely to result in an increase in the number of reported confirmed cases in this country, which should provide a more accurate picture of the burden of disease in the United States.

Currently, 41 states have reported 642 cases and 2 deaths.  Specifically:

Alabama — 4 cases

Arizona — 48 cases

California — 67 cases

Colorado — 17 cases

Connecticut — 4 cases

Delaware — 33 cases

Florida — 5 cases

Georgia — 3 cases

Hawaii — 3 cases

Idaho — 1 case

Illinois — 122 cases

Indiana — 15 cases

Iowa — 1 case

Kansas — 2 cases

Kentucky — 2 cases

Lousiana — 7 cases

Maine — 1 case

Maryland — 4 cases

Massachusetts — 45 cases

Michigan — 8 cases

Minnesota — 1 case

Missouri — 2 cases

Nebraska — 4 cases

Nevada — 5 cases

New Hampshire — 2 cases

New Jersey — 7 cases

New Mexico — 3 cases

New York — 97 cases

North Carolina —  7 cases

Ohio — 5 cases

Oklahoma — 1 case

Oregon — 15 cases

Pennsylvania — 1 case

Rhode Island — 2 cases

South Carolina — 16 cases

Tennessee — 2 cases

Texas — 61 cases and 2 deaths

Utah — 1 case

Virginia — 3 cases

Washington — 9 cases

Wisconsin — 6 cases

 

Source: cdc.gov


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