CDC sees "something different" with new flu

[Cat]

CDC sees "something different" with new flu

 

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor Maggie Fox, Health And Science Editor – 1 hr 16 mins ago

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) –

 

The new strain of H1N1 flu is causing "something different" to happen in the United States this year -- perhaps an extended year-round flu season that disproportionately hits young people, health officials said on Thursday.

 

An unusually cool late spring may be helping keep the infection going in the U.S. Northeast, especially densely populated areas in New York and Massachusetts, the officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

 

And infections among healthcare workers suggest that people are showing up at work sick -- meaning that workplace policies may be contributing to its spread, the CDC officials said.

 

The new strain of swine flu is officially a pandemic now, according to the World Health Organization.

 

So far the virus is causing mild to moderate disease, but it has killed at least 167 people and been confirmed in nearly 40,000 globally.

 

The United States has been hardest hit, with upward of 100,000 likely cases and probably far more, with 44 deaths and 1,600 hospitalized.

 

"The fact that we are seeing ongoing transmission now indicates that we are seeing something different," the CDC's Dr. Daniel Jernigan told a news briefing.

 

"And we believe that that may have to do with the complete lack of immunity to this particular virus among those that are most likely affected. And those are children," Jernigan added.

 

"The areas of the country that are most affected, some of them have very high population densities, like Boston and New York. So that may be a contributor as well. Plus the temperature in that part of the country is cooler, and we know that influenza appears to like the cooler times of the year for making transmission for effective."

 

Jernigan said in areas that are the most affected up to 7 percent of the population has influenza-like illness.

 

SUMMER OF FLU

 

"The United States will likely continue to see influenza activity through the summer, and at this point we're anticipating that we will see the novel H1N1 continue with activity probably all the way into our flu season in the fall and winter. The amount of activity we expect to be low, and then pick up later."

 

One worrying pattern: healthcare workers are being infected, and most reported they did little or nothing to protect themselves, the CDC's Dr. Mike Bell said.

 

People coming into emergency departments or clinics need to be checked right away for flu symptoms and anyone working with such a patient needs to wear a mask, gloves and eyewear, Bell said.

 

"We're beginning to see a pattern of healthcare personnel-to-healthcare personnel transmission in some of the clusters, which is also concerning, because it gets to the issue of people showing up to work sick," Bell said.

 

Doctors, nurses and technicians who have flu can spread it to vulnerable patients, Bell noted.

 

As of May 13, the CDC said it had received 48 reports of healthcare workers infected with swine flu.

 

Detailed case reports on 26 showed that 13 were infected in a healthcare setting such as a clinic or hospital and 12 caught it from infected patients, the CDC said in its weekly report on death and disease.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090619/ts_nm/us_flu_usa_5

 

 

 

[Grace&Violets]

A report on MSN said that the cases in the US went from 18,000 with 44 deaths last week, to almost 21,500 cases with 87 deaths this week. The deaths almost doubled in one week. We definitely need to be prepared for this. My MIL, and 2 SILs, all have a stomach "bug" which has closely resembled the symptoms of the swine flu. There are also several kids in our playgroup that have a serious "bug" that's "going around". We've decided to avoid playgroup for a few weeks.

[sassenach]

That sounds wise Grace and Violets. I was listening for a few minutes last night to the NYC EMS/Police channel on an online scanner program I got. ( It only covers a few channels). Well, there was this call to respond about a 5 month old baby that had been in good health , that was suddenly suffering from a fever of 105 F , vomiting and diarrhea very extreme , coughing , sneezing ..... and I just couldn't listen anymore... I figure it was probably this flu. I hope they could help the little one in time.

Hearing from a post above that the deaths have doubled in one week, well.... and certainly it would transmit to other health care workers. They are also stretching their work hours to deal with this .... doesn't sound promising thats for sure!

When I am out and about , among folks, I am very careful to observe everyone. I know that when a couple employees got sick recently, they were sent home within a day. I haven't gotten sick yet, thankfully. I just know its getting to be all around us and anyone can get it all too easily. so far , so good.... thanks for the heads up on the increase in deaths.