U.S. officials Have Detected 40 Cases of Swine Flu
A public health emergency was declared on Sunday to manage new cases of swine flu. At this time, 42 U.S. cases of swine flu have been reported in five states–California, Texas, Kansas, New York and Ohio.
Officials suspect that this particular strain of swine flu might be the same strain that has also been identified in Mexico and Canada. However, in Mexico this same strain appears to be killing dozens of people, whereas cases in the United State have been mild. Health authorities don’t yet understand this difference.
As of April 27, 2009, the United States Government has reported 40 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A(H1N1), with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection with the same virus, including seven deaths. Canada has reported six cases, with no deaths, while Spain has reported one case, with no deaths. Many of the people under observation around the world have reported recent travel to Mexico.
According to the CDC, there are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Major airlines, including American, United and Continental, have begun revising their policies so that travelers flying to Mexican cities can change their plans without fees or penalties.
This is a rapidly evolving situation and the CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.
Read more about Influenza from Bay Area Medical Information
If you are traveling to Mexico, read the following important travel information from the CDC
Source: Center for Disease Control, April 27, 2009; World Health Organization, April 27, 2009
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