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1,639 Cases of A(H1N1) Flu in U.S.
CDC, May 8, 2009, 11:00 AM ET |
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See Flu Media News Page
If you’d like current news from media sources worldwide on the A(H1N1) flu pandemic, go to WSU Today’s new “Flu Update” page. There is a link for it in the left-hand navigation column. It provides a news feed from media worldwide, via Live.com, as well as links to the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, Washington state Department of Health and WSU’s Health and Wellness Services (see right-hand column on that page).
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The number of “confirmed” cases of A(H1N1) flu in the United States nearly doubled in the past 24 hours, from 896 yesterday, to 1,693 today, Friday, May 8. In Washington state the number increased from 23 to 33, during the same period. The WSU Health and Wellness Services (HWS) clinic has seen no suspicious cases.
HWS signed an agreement on Wednesday with Whitman County Department of Public Health to receive a portion of the strategic national stockpile-provided antiviral drugs.
“We do not yet know when we will receive the antiviral drugs, however, when they arrive, they will be stored at the HWS pharmacy for distribution to WSU students,” said Paula Adams, communications coordinator for HWS. “Federal guidelines restrict the use of these antiviral drugs to treatment of confirmed, probable or suspected cases of H1N1 influenza. They may not be used to treat those with seasonal flu.
Patients will not be charged for the drug. If it is determined that it is no longer necessary to use these antiviral drugs, unused supplies will be returned to Whitman County Health Department.
“The HWS pharmacy already has a separate stock of antiviral drugs for treatment of seasonal influenza, and these are available at regular costs to pharmacy patrons,” Adams said. “All antiviral drugs require a prescription.”
A new CBS News report titled “Expert Warns Of Swine Flu-Bird Flu Mix: Mutation May Create Virus Both Highly Contagious And Lethal,” provided insights as to why the CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) are tracking this flu closely.
Globally, WHO reported 2,500 cases in 25 countries this morning, with no dealths. Nearly half are in Mexico with 1,204.
Other countries reporting cases include: Austria (1), Brazil (4), Canada (214), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), El
Salvador (2), France (12), Germany (11), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (6),
Netherlands (3), New Zealand (5), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (88),
Sweden (1), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (34).
WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A
(H1N1) virus.
Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travelers who fall ill should seek
appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which
can limit the spread of many communicable diseases, including influenza.
