Swine Influenza (Flu) Outbreak / Pandemic Information & News

Welcome to our Swine Flu Information Center. Find updated articles, advisories & videos on swine influenza (flu) outbreak / pandemic.

Video News About the Swine Influenza (Flu) Outbreak / Pandemic

WHO Alert Level: 6 (PANDEMIC)
Lab Confirmed Cases:

Sickened: 28,774
Deaths: 144
Mortality Rate: 0.5%

Nations Affected: 75*

List:

1. Mexico: 6,241 - 108 Deaths
   
2. USA: 13,217 - 27 Deaths
3. Argentina: 256
   
4. Australia: 1307
   
5. Austria: 7
6. Bahamas: 1
7. Bahrain: 1
8. Barbados: 3
   
9. Belgium: 14
10. Bolivia: 5
    
11. Brazil: 40
12. Bulgaria: 2
    
13. Canada: 2446 - 4 Dead
14. Cayman Islands: 2
    
15. Chile: 1694
    
16. China: 174
17. Chinese Taipei: 36
    
18. Colombia: 35
    
19. Costa Rica: 104
20. Cuba: 5
21. Cyprus: 1
22. Czech Republic: 4
    
23. Denmark: 10
24. Dominica: 1
25. Dominican Republic: 91
    
26. Ecuador: 67
27. Egypt: 10
    
28. El Salvador: 69
29. Estonia: 4
    
30. Finland: 4
    
31. France: 73
    
32. Germany: 95
    
33. Greece: 7
    
34. Guatemala: 60
35. Honduras: 89
36. Hungary: 4
37. Iceland: 3
    
38. India: 9
    
39. Ireland: 12
40. Israel: 68
    
41. Italy: 54
42. Jamaica: 10
    
43. Japan: 518
44. South Korea: 53
45. Kuwait: 18
46. Lebanon: 8
47. Luxembourg: 1
    
48. Malaysia: 5
    
49. Netherlands: 30
    
50. New Zealand: 23
51. Nicaragua: 45
    
52. Norway: 13
    
53. Panama: 221
54. Paraguay: 25
    
55. Peru: 64
56. Philippines: 77
    
57. Poland: 7
    
58. Portugal: 2
    
59. Romania: 11
60. Russia: 3
61. Saudi Arabia: 1
62. Singapore: 18
63. Slovakia: 3
    
64. Spain: 357
    
65. Sweden: 19
    
66. Switzerland: 20
    
67. Thailand: 8
68. Trinidad & Tobago: 2
    
69. Turkey: 10
70. Ukraine: 1
71. United Arab Emirates: 1
    
72. United Kingdom: 822
73. Uruguay: 24
74. Venezuela: 13
75. Vietnam: 16

U.S. States Confirmed Cases: 50 States

1. Alabama: 94
2. Alaska: 3
   
3. Arkansas: 9
   
4. Arizona: 547
   
5. California: 973
   
6. Colorado: 75
   
7. Connecticut: 395
   
8. Delaware: 142
   
9. Florida: 247
   
10. Georgia: 33
    
11. Hawaii: 115
    
12. Idaho: 16
    
13. Illinois: 1357
    
14. Indiana: 173
    
15. Iowa: 92
    
16. Kansas: 92
    
17. Kentucky: 96
    
18. Louisiana: 134
    
19. Maine: 17
    
20. Maryland: 89
    
21. Massachusetts: 787
    
22. Michigan: 298
    
23. Minnesota: 82
    
24. Mississippi: 40
    
25. Missouri: 46
    
26. Montana: 15
    
27. Nebraska: 60
    
28. Nevada: 128
    
29. New Hampshire: 64
    
30. New Jersey: 148
    
31. New Mexico: 108
    
32. New York: 858
    
33. North Carolina: 30
    
34. North Dakota: 23
    
35. Ohio: 35
    
36. Oklahoma: 93
    
37. Oregon: 167
    
38. Pennsylvania: 299
    
39. Rhode Island: 18
    
40. South Carolina: 60
    
41. South Dakota: 10
    
42. Tennessee: 104
    
43. Texas: 1670
    
44. Utah: 461
    
45. Vermont: 9
    
46. Virginia: 55
    
47. Washington: 577
    
48. Washington DC: 24
    
49. Wisconsin: 2217
50. Wyoming: 25
51. Puerto Rico: 1
    

Swine Influenza (Flu) Outbreak / Pandemic News & Information Center

Below you will find news articles from the most reputable news sources in the world, and original content and advice offered by our concerned writers, as we track the spread and devastation of the Swine Influenza (Flu) Outbreak / Pandemic and try to guide you to safety and good health.

News Articles on Swine Influenza (Flu) Outbreak / Pandemic

• WHO Raises H1N1 to Pandemic Level 6
  
• Swine Flu Outbreak Reveals Military Strategy and Failures - AP
  
• Swine Flu Did Not Kill Baby Zamora - NY Daily News
• Egypt Warns of Post Hajj Quarantine - AP
  
• Swine Flu Hits Sick People Hardest - AJC
• Prisoners Riot in Australia Over Flu Rules - Australian
  
• Toddler's Death Stokes Concern - NYT
  
• Should Bloomberg Close Schools Early - NY Daily News
  
• WHO May Raise Swine Flu Alert to Pandemic as Japan Cases Rocket - MW
• NYC Mourns Assistant Principal - AP
  
• China Confirms First Mainland Case - Guardian
  
• 1% Impact to Mexican GDP - Forbes
  
• Mexico Death Toll Rises to 56 - Reuters
  
• US Leads World in Swine Flu Cases - AP/Yahoo
  
• WHO Slow on Generics for Swine Flu - AP
• Swine Flu Case on Cruise Ship - Seattle Times
  
• Should You Get Swine Flu on Purpose? - AP
  
• Global Flu Cases Top 2,000 Mark - NYT
• Swine Flu Part II, What's in Store in the Months Ahead - CNN Health
  
• Does the WHO Need to Declare a Full Pandemic - Reuters
  
• Vaccine Makers Ill-Prepared - Economist
  
• Second US Death Recorded as Texas Woman Passes - CNN
  
• Second Strain of Flu May Complicate Picture - Reuters
  
• In Search of Swine Flu Origins - CNN
  
• Schools Reopen - Washington Post
• 642 New Flu Cases - Reuters
• Flu Cancels Navy Mission - Reuters
  
• CDC Says Swine Flu Cases Growing - Washington Post
• International Frenzy to Control Swine Flu - US News & World Report
• Outbreak Costs Mexico $2.2 Billion - AP
• Experts: Tamiflu, Relenza Work, but Only Sickest May Get It - USA Today
• Congress to Seek Emergency Funds - Reuters
  
• WHO Head Indicates Full Pandemic to be Declared - Reuters
• Feeling a Bit Better, Flu Doesn't Look So Bad - Economist
• Mexico to Begin Lifting Flu Curbs - BBC
• UN Wary of Second Wave of Flu - CNN
• Swine May Merge with Other Viruses - Bloomberg
  
• Virus Jumps Back to Swine in Canada - Yahoo News
  
• Mexico Says Flu Epidemic Over the Worst - Thomson Reuters
  
• What if HIV and H1N1 Combine - Reuters
  
• Swine Flu Pandemic Still Imminent - Bloomberg
  
• Mexican Officials Say Swine Flu Virus Not as Lethal as Thought - USA Today
• NYC Officials Cancel Cinco de Mayo - CBS2 NY
  
• CDC Says Only a Third of US Flu Cases Visited Mexico - AP
• Flight Diverted to Boston After Passenger Complains of Flu - Boston Globe
  
• Costa Rica Reports First Case of Swine Flu - Jamaican Observer
  
• Hong Kong Hotel Quarantined - Reuters
  
• WHO Not Recommended Travel Restrictions
  
• Top Ten Signs You're Suffering From Swine Flu Hysteria - WSG
  
• Swine Flu Fears Stalk Living and Dead in Mexico City - CNN Int'l
  
• Continental Cuts Mexico Capacity - Reuters
• Company Warned WHO of Flu 18 Days Before Alert Was Issued - McClatchy
  
• Swine Flu Hospitals Prepare for Outbreaks - Washington Post
  
• New Terror in the Middle East - Huffington Post
  
• Middle East Governments Respond Aggressively to Swine Flu - Fox News
  
• Scientists Say Flu Vaccine Could Take Months to Produce - VOA
• Are Your Pets Safe? - Baltimore Sun
  
• Illinois' Probably Cases of Swine Flu Likely 41 - Chicago Tribune
  
• Nebraska Reports Confirmed Case - Reuters
• Biden Backtracks from Panic Driving Economic Crippling Statement
  
• Biden Goofs - NY Daily News
  
• Is Swine Flu a Weapon of Biological Attack? - WSG
  
• Texas Toddler Who Died Visited Busy Houston Mall - Brietbart
  
• Swine Flu Moves Other Nations to Action - LAT
  
• Colorado Expects Word on Local Flu Cases - DBJ
  
• Are You Concerned About Swine Flu? - WSG
  
• An Imminent Pandemic - Economist
• VIDEO: WHO Raises Pandemic Level - WHO
  
• WHO Raises Influenza Pandemic Alert to Phase 5 from 4 - WHO
  
• Unprepared for Pandemic - Foreign Affairs
  
• First US Death Reported - NYT
  
• Aggressive Selling in Hog Futures
  
• Measures Against Swine Flu in Europe and Africa
• France to Ask EU to Suspend All Mexico Flight Routes
  
• Europeans Can Cancel Mexico Flights Without Penalty
  
• Germany and Austria Confirm Flu
• Egypt Orders Culling of All Pigs
  
• What Travelers Should Know
• Is This Our Monster?
  
• Number of Suspected Scotland Cases Rises to 23
• Rumor of Flu Patient Who Visited Disney in Orlando
  
• Indiana Reports First Case of Flu
  
• Russia Widens US Meat Ban
  
• US Slams Russian Ban
  
• California Declares State of Emergency
  
• How Swine Flu Works
  
• Getting Sebelius into Office Now a Priority
  
• Mexico City is the Epicenter - Thousands Hospitalized
  
• Investors Cautious as Swine Flu Cases Increase
  
• Russia to Check All Flights from the Americas
  
• Military Watching Situation Closely
  
• 2,000 Cases of Pneumonia in Mexico, World Responding Quickly
  
• Swine Flu Fuels Economic Fire - Bloomberg
• WHO Raises Pandemic Alert Level to Decade High - Bloomberg
• Does This Swine Virus Have Pandemic Potential? - Economist
• Mexican Stocks, Pesa Take Hit on Swine Influenza Concerns - MW

Tips on How to Keep Yourself & Others Safe and Well:

• Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly
• Cover your mouth when you cough
• Avoid crowds - Examples: Theaters, Stadiums, Buses, Trains, Airplanes etc.
  
• Wear a mask in crowded places or where air is recycled
  
• If you feel ill, see a doctor as soon as possible
  
• Tamiflu and Relenza are effective if taken at early stages of illness
• You can eat pork, but cook it well to be safe
  
• CDC Factsheet for Swine Influenza Virus
  
• World Health Organization Page on Swine Influenza Strain H1N1 (Swine Flu)
• Swine Flu Survival Guide - AP/Yahoo

Recent WHO Advisory
June 11, 2009
WHO Website

Dr Margaret Chan
Director-General of the World Health Organization

Ladies and gentlemen,

In late April, WHO announced the emergence of a novel influenza A virus.

This particular H1N1 strain has not circulated previously in humans. The virus is entirely new.

The virus is contagious, spreading easily from one person to another, and from one country to another. As of today, nearly 30,000 confirmed cases have been reported in 74 countries.

This is only part of the picture. With few exceptions, countries with large numbers of cases are those with good surveillance and testing procedures in place.

Spread in several countries can no longer be traced to clearly-defined chains of human-to-human transmission. Further spread is considered inevitable.

I have conferred with leading influenza experts, virologists, and public health officials. In line with procedures set out in the International Health Regulations, I have sought guidance and advice from an Emergency Committee established for this purpose.

On the basis of available evidence, and these expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met.

I have therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6.

The world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic.

We are in the earliest days of the pandemic. The virus is spreading under a close and careful watch.

No previous pandemic has been detected so early or watched so closely, in real-time, right at the very beginning. The world can now reap the benefits of investments, over the last five years, in pandemic preparedness.

We have a head start. This places us in a strong position. But it also creates a demand for advice and reassurance in the midst of limited data and considerable scientific uncertainty.

Thanks to close monitoring, thorough investigations, and frank reporting from countries, we have some early snapshots depicting spread of the virus and the range of illness it can cause.

We know, too, that this early, patchy picture can change very quickly. The virus writes the rules and this one, like all influenza viruses, can change the rules, without rhyme or reason, at any time.

Globally, we have good reason to believe that this pandemic, at least in its early days, will be of moderate severity. As we know from experience, severity can vary, depending on many factors, from one country to another.

On present evidence, the overwhelming majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a rapid and full recovery, often in the absence of any form of medical treatment.

Worldwide, the number of deaths is small. Each and every one of these deaths is tragic, and we have to brace ourselves to see more. However, we do not expect to see a sudden and dramatic jump in the number of severe or fatal infections.

We know that the novel H1N1 virus preferentially infects younger people. In nearly all areas with large and sustained outbreaks, the majority of cases have occurred in people under the age of 25 years.

In some of these countries, around 2% of cases have developed severe illness, often with very rapid progression to life-threatening pneumonia.

Most cases of severe and fatal infections have been in adults between the ages of 30 and 50 years.

This pattern is significantly different from that seen during epidemics of seasonal influenza, when most deaths occur in frail elderly people.

Many, though not all, severe cases have occurred in people with underlying chronic conditions. Based on limited, preliminary data, conditions most frequently seen include respiratory diseases, notably asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and obesity.

At the same time, it is important to note that around one third to half of the severe and fatal infections are occurring in previously healthy young and middle-aged people.

Without question, pregnant women are at increased risk of complications. This heightened risk takes on added importance for a virus, like this one, that preferentially infects younger age groups.

Finally, and perhaps of greatest concern, we do not know how this virus will behave under conditions typically found in the developing world. To date, the vast majority of cases have been detected and investigated in comparatively well-off countries.

Let me underscore two of many reasons for this concern. First, more than 99% of maternal deaths, which are a marker of poor quality care during pregnancy and childbirth, occurs in the developing world.

Second, around 85% of the burden of chronic diseases is concentrated in low- and middle-income countries.

Although the pandemic appears to have moderate severity in comparatively well-off countries, it is prudent to anticipate a bleaker picture as the virus spreads to areas with limited resources, poor health care, and a high prevalence of underlying medical problems.

Ladies and gentlemen,

A characteristic feature of pandemics is their rapid spread to all parts of the world. In the previous century, this spread has typically taken around 6 to 9 months, even during times when most international travel was by ship or rail.

Countries should prepare to see cases, or the further spread of cases, in the near future. Countries where outbreaks appear to have peaked should prepare for a second wave of infection.

Guidance on specific protective and precautionary measures has been sent to ministries of health in all countries. Countries with no or only a few cases should remain vigilant.

Countries with widespread transmission should focus on the appropriate management of patients. The testing and investigation of patients should be limited, as such measures are resource intensive and can very quickly strain capacities.

WHO has been in close dialogue with influenza vaccine manufacturers. I understand that production of vaccines for seasonal influenza will be completed soon, and that full capacity will be available to ensure the largest possible supply of pandemic vaccine in the months to come.

Pending the availability of vaccines, several non-pharmaceutical interventions can confer some protection.

WHO continues to recommend no restrictions on travel and no border closures.

Influenza pandemics, whether moderate or severe, are remarkable events because of the almost universal susceptibility of the world’s population to infection.

We are all in this together, and we will all get through this, together.

Thank you.

Recent CDC Advisory
May 20, 2009
CDC Website

Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in April, 2009. The virus is infecting people and is spreading from person-to-person, sparking a growing outbreak of illness in the United States. An increasing number of cases are being reported internationally as well.

It's thought that novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread; mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus.

It's uncertain at this time how severe this novel H1N1 outbreak will be in terms of illness and death compared with other influenza viruses. Because this is a new virus, most people will not have immunity to it, and illness may be more severe and widespread as a result. In addition, currently there is no vaccine to protect against this novel H1N1 virus. CDC anticipates that there will be more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths associated with this new virus in the coming days and weeks.

Novel influenza A (H1N1) activity is now being detected through CDC's routine influenza surveillance systems and reported weekly in FluView. CDC tracks U.S. influenza activity through multiple systems across five categories. The fact that novel H1N1 activity is now detected through seasonal surveillance systems is an indication that there are higher levels of influenza-like illness in the United States than is normal for this time of year. About half of all influenza viruses being detected are novel H1N1 viruses.


Visit the front pages of Wall Street Greek and Market Moving News to see our current coverage of economic reports and financial markets. Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. Tickers: AMEX: DIA, AMEX: SPY, Nasdaq: QQQQ, NYSE: NYX, AMEX: DOG, AMEX: SDS, AMEX: QLD, AMEX: XLF, AMEX: IWM, AMEX: TWM, AMEX: IWD, AMEX: SDK.