CDC: 100,000 have flu and Swine Flu

CDC believes Flu and Swine Flu in the USA is now widespread infecting over 100,000 people

By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

May 15, 2009 -- More than 100,000 Americans probably have the flu -- and at least half of these cases are H1N1 swine flu, a CDC expert estimates.

The comment came from Daniel Jernigan, MD, PhD, deputy director of the CDC's influenza division, during a news conference.

Jernigan noted that the 4,700 confirmed or probable cases of swine flu reported to CDC represent a gross underestimate. When asked how many actual cases there were, Jernigan noted that 7% to 10% of the U.S. population -- up to 30 million people -- get the seasonal flu each year.

"So with the amount of activity we are seeing now, it is a little hard to know what that means in terms of making an estimate now of the total number of people with flu out in the community," Jernigan said. "But if I had to make an estimate, I would say ... probably upwards of maybe 100,000."

The CDC's most recent data, for the week ending May 9, shows that about half of Americans with confirmed flu had the H1N1 swine flu. If Jernigan's off-the-cuff estimate is correct, more than 50,000 people in the U.S. have the new flu.

At a time when flu season should be ending or over, the CDC's flu season indicators are going up instead of down. As of May 9, 22 states had widespread or regional flu.

Meanwhile, Arizona's Maricopa County -- home to Phoenix -- reported that a woman in her late 40s died from complications of the H1N1 swine flu. She is the nation's fourth H1N1 swine flu fatality. The woman had an underlying lung disease, according to the Maricopa County public health department.

Despite the death, the CDC's marker for flu severity -- deaths from pneumonia or flu -- did not increase beyond normal levels for this time of year. This so-called "epidemic threshold" is 7.4% of all deaths; for the week ending May 9, flu/pneumonia deaths were 7.2% of all deaths.

One of the most alarming signs of a flu pandemic is a lot of severe illness in people who don't usually suffer severe flu cases -- older children and young adults.

Most of the 173 people hospitalized in the U.S. with H1N1 swine flu have been between 5-24 years old.

"At this point, we're not seeing the seriousness of illness in the United States that was initially reported in Mexico, but this certainly does not mean that the outbreak is over," Jernigan said. "The H1N1 virus is not going away. We know that the outbreak is not localized but is spreading and appears to be expanding throughout the United States.

Florida Swine Flu Information Hotline now open

The State of Florida has opened a toll-free telephone service where residents and visitors can call to receive health information about swine flu.

The number for Florida residents to call is 1-800-342-3557.

The line will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until further notice. After hours calls will be handled by an automated service.

As Florida responds to swine flu, the Florida Department of Health offers the following recommendations:
- People with respiratory illness or fever should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others in the community.
- Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 
- Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.
- Symptoms of swine flu are rapid onset fever, cough fatigue and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea. 
- If you think you have the flu, please call your health care provider and discuss whether you need to be seen in their office or an emergency department, or stay home.



Swine flu is not transmitted by food and you cannot get swine flu from eating pork products. 

The State of Florida is receiving frequent updates from the CDC, and working with local health departments to monitor the situation and immediately follow up on suspected cases. 

The Florida Department of Health has created a webpage with information at www.doh.state.fl.us, and the CDC has a web page at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.

Virginia Swine Flu Hotline

The State of Virginia Department of Health has opened a call center for its residents with questions about the Swine H1N1 Flu. The number to call Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 4:30pm is 1-877-ASK-VDH3 (1-877-275-8343).

How will the Swine Flu affect the UK

From the BBC, a video report on how the Swine H1N1 Flu could affect the UK.

Swine Flu Congressman Ron Paul Commentary

Congressman Ron Pul gives his perspective on the Swine Flu H1N1 issue.

How to safely use N95 Flu Respirators Video

This video is provided from CDC with information on how to safely operate and remove an N95 disposable Respirator or flu mask, commonly used to prevention transmission of the Swine H1N1 Flu Virus.

Purchase N95 respirators and others for flu safety for individual or corporate use.

Symptoms of Swine Flu H1N1 Flu from CDC

Joseph Bresee, M.D., Chief at the Epidemiology and Prevention Branch of the CDC Influenza Division speaks about symptoms of the Swine H1N1 Flu.