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Swine Influenza (Flu) - update

April 29, 2009

Swine Influenza (Flu) - update

The outbreak of disease in people caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin continues to grow in the U.S. and internationally. Today, the CDC reports additional confirmed human infections, hospitalizations and the nation’s first fatality from this outbreak. The more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest that a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S. Most people will not have immunity to this new virus and, as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations, and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks.

The CDC has implemented its emergency response. The agency’s goals are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials, and the public address the challenges posed by the new virus. Yesterday, the CDC issued new interim guidance for clinicians on how to care for children and pregnant women who may be infected with this virus. Young children and pregnant women are 2 groups of people who are at high risk of serious complications from seasonal influenza. In addition, the CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) continues to send antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak. The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. This is a rapidly evolving situation and the CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.

U.S. human cases of swine flu infection as of April 29, 2009.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Swine influenza. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/. Accessed April 29, 2009.

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