A flu hits Phoenix Elementary 191 out Monday

[Skatman]

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/s...8/daily24.html

Lowell Elementary in south Phoenix will be closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday because of a flu outbreak among middle school children, a school official said Tuesday.

Lowell had 123 students call in sick Monday and sent another 71 home with fevers and other flu-like symptoms, the representative said. Lowell has 666 students in kindergarten through eighth grades. Teachers and administrators contacted parents about the flu outbreak with all students being sent home Tuesday. Only one student in school as of Tuesday morning, the school official said.

The school is being shut down as a precaution to younger students and students’ and staff’s families. There is no indication whether the Lowell flu cases are of the H1N1 swine flu strain. The school is located off of Buckeye Road and Third Avenue just south of downtown Phoenix. Lowell is scheduled to reopen May 26.

As of Tuesday morning, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported 488 confirmed H1N1 flu cases in Arizona and close to 5,500 across the U.S. Two people in Arizona have died from the H1N1, according to the CDC.

[wotan]

Two people in Arizona have died from the H1N1, according to the CDC.

There's still no outside confirmation of that that I have seen.

[Skatman]

Maybe they have decided that outside of NYC the Government and reporters don't feel that it is important.

[Muscade]

Table. U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection
(As of May 19, 2009, 11:00 AM ET)

States*	Confirmed and Probable Cases	Deaths
Alabama	61 cases	0 deaths
Arkansas	3 cases	0 deaths
Arizona	488 cases	2 deaths
California	553 cases	0 deaths
Colorado	56 cases	0 deaths
Connecticut	56 cases	0 deaths
Delaware	69 cases	0 deaths
Florida	103 cases	0 deaths
Georgia	25 cases	0 deaths
Hawaii	21 cases	0 deaths
Idaho	8 cases	0 deaths
Illinois	707 cases	0 deaths
Indiana	96 cases	0 deaths
Iowa	71 cases	0 deaths
Kansas	34 cases	0 deaths
Kentucky**	16 cases	0 deaths
Louisiana	65 cases	0 deaths
Maine	10 cases	0 deaths
Maryland	39 cases	0 deaths
Massachusetts	156 cases	0 deaths
Michigan	165 cases	0 deaths
Minnesota	38 cases	0 deaths
Mississippi	4 cases	0 deaths
Missouri	20 cases	0 deaths
Montana	9 cases	0 deaths
Nebraska	28 cases	0 deaths
Nevada	31 cases	0 deaths
New Hampshire	20 cases	0 deaths
New Jersey	18 cases	0 deaths
New Mexico	68 cases	0 deaths
New York	267 cases	0 deaths
North Carolina	12 cases	0 deaths
North Dakota	3 cases	0 deaths
Ohio	13 cases	0 deaths
Oklahoma	42 cases	0 deaths
Oregon	94 cases	0 deaths
Pennsylvania	55 cases	0 deaths
Rhode Island	8 cases	0 deaths
South Carolina	36 cases	0 deaths
South Dakota	4 cases	0 deaths
Tennessee	85 cases	0 deaths
Texas	556 cases	3 deaths
Utah	91 cases	0 deaths
Vermont	1 cases	0 deaths
Virginia	23 cases	0 deaths
Washington	362 cases	1 death
Washington, D.C.	13 cases	0 deaths
Wisconsin	766 cases	0 deaths
TOTAL*(48)	5,469 cases	6 deaths
*includes the District of Columbia **one case is resident of KY but currently hospitalized in GA. This table will be updated daily Monday-Friday at around 11 AM ET. International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection See: World Health Organization. NOTE: Because of daily reporting deadlines, the state totals reported by CDC may not always be consistent with those reported by state health departments. If there is a discrepancy between these two counts, data from the state health departments should be used as the most accurate number.

Summary of Situation

A New Influenza Virus

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 can now be monitored 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.
CDC Response

CDC continues to take aggressive action to respond to the outbreak. CDC’s response goals are to reduce the spread and severity of illness, and to provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this new public health threat.
CDC is issuing updated interim guidance daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation.
Clinician Guidance

CDC has issued interim guidance for clinicians on identifying and caring for patients with novel H1N1, in addition to providing interim guidance on the use of antiviral drugs. Influenza antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) with activity against influenza viruses, including novel influenza H1N1 viruses. The priority use for influenza antiviral drugs during this outbreak is to treat severe influenza illness, including people who are hospitalized or sick people who are considered at high risk of serious influenza-related complications.
Public Guidance

In addition, CDC has provided guidance for the public on what to do if they become sick with flu-like symptoms, including infection with novel H1N1. CDC also has issued instructions on taking care of a sick person at home. Novel H1N1 infection has been reported to cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In addition, a significant number of people also have reported nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Everyone should take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, including frequent hand washing and people who are sick should stay home and avoid contact with others in order to limit further spread of the disease.
Testing

CDC has developed a PCR diagnostic test kit to detect this novel H1N1 virus and has now distributed test kits to all states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The test kits are being shipped internationally as well. This will allow states and other countries to test for this new virus. This increase in testing will likely result in an increase in the number of confirmed cases of illness reported. This, combined with ongoing monitoring through Flu View should provide a fuller picture of the burden of disease in the United States over time.

See also the FluView Surveillance Report for the week ending May 9, 2009.
More on the Situation

• Guidance
• Reports & Publications
• Press Briefing
• Past Updates on the Situation

http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm

[wotan]

Originally Posted by Skatman

Maybe they have decided that outside of NYC the Government and reporters don't feel that it is important.

Sadly, I would not be surprised.

[wotan]

I know its in the CDC report, but there are no news articles anyone has found yet discussing it. Since the CDC does not report the assistant VP in New York who died over the weekend, I would not be surprised if this was a clerical error. (Reporting the NY death in AZ.)

[Muscade]

NEWS for immediate release MARICOPA COUNTY Public Health 4041 N. Central Ave , Suite 1400 Phoenix, AZ 85012 Ph 602-506-6900 www.maricopa.gov

Maricopa County Reports 1st Death involving Novel H1N1 Flu MARICOPA COUNTY REPORTS First Death Involving Novel H1N1 FLu (Swine Flu) PHOENIX (May 14, 2009) – Maricopa County Department of Public Health and the Arizona Department of Health Services confirmed today that a woman in her late 40’s with underlying lung disease died last week from complications of Novel H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu). This is the first death in Arizona associated with the new flu strain and the fourth in the nation. “Unfortunately, we knew this was coming. Flu is serious, especially for those with underlying health conditions,” said Dr. Bob England, director of Maricopa Department of Public Health. “However, I need to emphasize that this death does not change our course of action here in Maricopa County.” “The only way we get through any infectious disease is by working together - keep our kids home when they are sick, stay home from work when we are sick, cover our coughs and keep our hands washed. Sounds simple, but for some of us, these small actions can make all the difference.” The new H1N1 strain of swine flu has been similar to seasonal flu in symptoms, spread, and response to treatment. Typically, people with existing health conditions are at greater risk of serious health effects from influenza. “While this marks the first death in our state related to swine flu, the case counts are expected to continue rising for some time to come.” said Will Humble, acting director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. “And while most illnesses from this new flu strain have been fairly mild, we must remember that influenza claims about 36,000 lives every year nationwide. That's why we urge people to take this outbreak, and the seasonal flu we see every year, very seriously.” So far Arizona has confirmed 240 cases of Novel H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu); 151 of those have been confirmed in Maricopa County. Internationally, there have been more than 6,497 confirmed cases of swine flu in 33 countries. There have been 64 deaths in Mexico, four U.S. deaths and one each in Canada and Costa Rica. For preparedness information, http://www.wearepublichealth.org For more information about Swine Flu, http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ For Statewide Information, http://www.azdhs.gov- Follow us on Twitter - http://twitter.com/Maricopahealth

http://www.maricopa.gov/pr_detail.aspx?releaseID=1104

[Muscade]

NEWS for immediate release MARICOPA COUNTY Public Health 4041 N. Central Ave , Suite 1400 Phoenix, AZ 85012 Ph 602-506-6900 www.maricopa.gov

Lowell Elem Closes due to High Rate Influenza Like Illness Media Contact: Jeanene Fowler, Public Health: 602-722-1806 (c) Sara Bresnahan, Lowell Elementary School: 602-549-4763 (c) LOWELL ELEMENTARY CLOSES DUE TO HIGH RATE OF INFLUENZA LIKE ILLNESS PHOENIX (May 19, 2009) – Today, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health in cooperation with Phoenix Elementary School District has closed Lowell Elementary School until May 26, 2009 due to a high rate of influenza like illness. “Through enhanced surveillance and a stellar school nurse, we learned that the school was experiencing a much higher than normal rate of absenteeism due to illness that looks like flu,” said Dr. Bob England, director of Maricopa Department of Public Health. “I said that we would watch schools closely for signs of a local outbreak and would act as necessary on a case by case basis. After talking with school officials, we all agreed that as a precaution and to limit the further spread of illness, we would close the school until after the Memorial Day holiday.” With the novel H1N1 influenza (Swine Flu) and seasonal flu behaving much the same way, it is not recommended to test students already home with mild illness; therefore, it is likely that the particular strain of flu will remain unknown. “As I’ve said over the last few weeks, as long as the novel H1N1 influenza continues to look like seasonal flu, there is no need to continue testing what we already know; flu is here in our community.” “Our healthcare community is seeing cases of both types of influenza; seasonal and H1N1. This is why the community and public health must continue to be vigilant; sometimes, that means having to close a school as a precaution.” Tips to lessen the spread of flu in your home include: · Keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible · Remind the sick person to cover their coughs, and clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after coughing and/or sneezing · Have everyone in the household clean their hands often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub For more information, visit Maricopa County’s Department of Public Health website at www.wearepublichealth.org, call Community Information and Referral at 602-263-8856 (Se Habla Espanol) or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/maricopahealth. # # #

http://www.maricopa.gov/pr_detail.aspx?releaseID=1109

[Skatman]

This still does not talk about the 2nd Arizona death.

[Muscade]

Hey there! Maricopahealth is using Twitter.

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Maricopahealth Now is the time to take good care of yourself; help a neighbor, children, community. Wash your hands thoroughly, stay home if you are sick. environ 2 heures ago from web Lowell Elem is closed for high number of absenses due to Flu Like Illness www.wearepublichealth.org environ 2 heures ago from web Today, CDC lifts travel advisory to Mexico but asks for travelers to remain aware http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/...1:10 PM May 15th from web Dr. Bob reminds us that small actions can make all the difference. Stay home if you are ill and wash your hands, thorougly.3:07 PM May 14th from web Maricopa County annouces 1st swine flu death www.wearepublichealth.org *H1N13:03 PM May 14th from web Business planning tools for H1N1 or other influenza outbreak http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/... *H1N14:04 PM May 13th from web Updated guidance f5-11-09 for academic institutions re: H1N1 http://bit.ly/HQz4a9:05 AM May 11th from web Today, remember 2 wash your hands thoroughly . Help your kids too. www.wearepublichealth.org 4 hand hygiene guides, stickers too!9:07 AM May 8th from web

http://twitter.com/Maricopahealth

[Muscade]

Swine Flu May Have Infected More Than 100,000 Americans Related News from HealthDay • Health Tip: Help Protect Young Athletes • Spread of Swine Flu in Japan Could Raise WHO Alert to Highest Level • New Methods Could Speed Production of Flu Vaccines • Adequate Supply of Swine Flu Vaccine Uncertain • Study Cites Gains in Gall Bladder Cancer Treatment • Health Tip: Choosing Baby’s Playpen Health News Archives SUNDAY, May 17 (HealthDay News) -- While the official tally of confirmed U.S. swine flu cases topped 4,700 on Friday, experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimate the true number of infections at more than 100,000 nationwide. Also on Friday, health officials announced two new deaths linked to the H1N1 virus, bringing the nationwide total to five. "Today we had our fourth death reported from Maricopa County in Arizona," Dr. Daniel Jernigan, from CDC's Influenza Division, said during an afternoon teleconference Friday. "There are more deaths and hospitalizations that we are monitoring," he said. The Arizona patient, a woman in her late 40s with an underlying lung condition, died last week, the Associated Press reported. Also on Friday, health officials in Nueces County, Texas, announced that state's third swine flu-related death, an unidentified 33-year-old man with multiple underlying health conditions who died May 5 or 6, according to the AP. The two new fatalities come after two others in Texas and one in Washington state. All of the victims had underlying health problems besides the flu. Most cases of swine flu occurring in the United States appear to be mild, health officials said. In fact, "estimates of the confirmed and probable cases in the United States is probably not the best indicator of transmission at this point," the CDC's Jernigan said. "The outbreak is not localized, but is spreading and appears to be expanding throughout the United States. This is an ongoing public health threat." It's a little hard to estimate the number of people who may be infected with swine flu, Jernigan said, "but if we had to make an estimate, I would say that the amount of activity we are seeing with our influenza-like illness network is probably upwards of 100,000." Jernigan said there also seems to be more cases of flu generally in the United States -- both the seasonal and the new H1N1 swine flu -- than is usually seen at this time of the year. "There are 22 U.S. states that are reporting widespread or regional influenza activity, which is something that we would not expect at this time," he said. In other news, the CDC on Friday lifted its general warning that Americans avoid non-essential travel to Mexico, considered the origin and epicenter of the outbreak. Instead, the warning has been downgraded to a "precaution" that now advises people who might be at high risk for complications from the flu to reconsider travel to Mexico. But in a troubling sign that the swine flu outbreak has yet to run its current course in the United States, three New York City public schools were closed Thursday after dozens of flu-like infections surfaced and an assistant principal was in critical condition on a ventilator, according to published reports. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said four students and the assistant principal at a Queens middle school had diagnosed cases of swine flu. More than 50 students went home sick Thursday with flu-like symptoms. At another middle school in Queens, more than 200 students were absent Thursday, and dozens more were sick at an elementary school, The New York Times and the AP reported. The assistant principal reportedly had underlying health problems before he fell ill. The students who have taken sick in this latest round of infections seem to be experiencing mild symptoms, similar to routine flu, as has been the case for most people in the United States touched by the swine flu. When the outbreak began more than three weeks ago, hundreds of students and staffers at St. Francis Preparatory School, also in Queens, were sickened. Reports at the time said several St. Francis students had spent spring vacation in Cancun, Mexico. Mexico is believed to be the source of the global outbreak that has now infected more than 7,000 people worldwide. Vaccine manufacturers and other health experts met Thursday at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, to plot potential strategies to combat the swine flu virus. The AP reported that drug companies were ready to start producing a swine flu vaccine, but many questions remain. They include how many doses to produce, particularly in relation to needed doses of seasonal flu vaccine. The expert group's recommendations will be forwarded to the WHO's director-general, Margaret Chan, who is expected to issue advice to vaccine manufacturers and the World Health Assembly next week, the AP said. But at least one infectious-disease expert said it was a "foregone conclusion" that drug manufacturers would be told to proceed with a vaccine for the H1N1 flu. "If we don't invest in an H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine, then possibly we could have a reappearance of this virus in a mild, moderate, or catastrophic form and we would have absolutely nothing," said Dr. David Fedson, a vaccine expert and former professor of medicine at the University of Virginia. One factor complicating a decision is that most flu vaccine companies can only make limited amounts of both seasonal flu vaccine and pandemic vaccine, such as that needed for swine flu, and not at the same time. The producers also can't make large quantities of both types of vaccine because that would exceed manufacturing capacity, the AP said. Testing has found that the swine flu virus remains susceptible to two common antiviral drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza, according to the CDC. On Friday, the CDC was reporting 4,714 U.S. cases of swine flu in 47 states, and four deaths. For the most part, the infections continue to be mild -- similar to seasonal flu -- and recovery is fairly quick. The World Health Organization on Saturday was reporting 8,451 confirmed cases in 36 countries. The swine flu is a highly unusual mix of swine, bird and human flu viruses. Experts worry that, if the new flu virus mutates, people would have limited immunity to fight the infection. The CDC is concerned with what will happen as this new virus moves into the Southern Hemisphere, where the flu season is about to start. The agency is also preparing for the virus' likely return in the fall to the Northern Hemisphere. U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection (As of May 15, 2009, 11:00 AM ET) States # of confirmed and probable cases Deaths Alabama 55 Arkansas 2 Arizona 435 1 California 504 Colorado 55 Connecticut 47 Delaware 60 Florida 68 Georgia 18 Hawaii 10 Idaho 5 Illinois 638 Indiana 71 Iowa 66 Kansas 30 Kentucky** 13 Louisiana 57 Maine 14 Maryland 28 Massachusetts 135 Michigan 142 Minnesota 36 Missouri 19 Montana 4 Nebraska 27 Nevada 26 New Hampshire 18 New Jersey 14 New Mexico 68 New York 242 North Carolina 12 North Dakota 2 Ohio 14 Oklahoma 26 Oregon 94 Pennsylvania 47 Rhode Island 8 South Carolina 36 South Dakota 4 Tennessee 74 Texas 506 2 Utah 91 Vermont 1 Virginia 21 Washington 246 1 Washington, D.C. 12 Wisconsin 613 TOTAL*(47) 4,714 cases 4 deaths *includes the District of Columbia **One case is resident of Ky. but currently hospitalized in Ga. Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention More information For more on swine flu, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Copyright © 2009 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

http://www.ajc.com/health/content/sh...c-/627172.html

[Skatman]

Its on today's CDC update.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm

[Muscade]

Pima County Health Department H1N1 Updates: May 19, 2009 2:33 p.m. - Pima County’s confirmed case count is holding at 76…for the State, the confirmed case count is 328…70% of the confirmed cases occurred in children less than 18 years old…the second death in Arizona occurred in an individual residing on the Gila River Indian Reservation in Pinal county…to date there have been no deaths from the H1N1 Influenza in Pima County.

The Pima County Health Department continues to carefully monitor the cases of H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) nationwide. For updates on confirmed cases visit the websites and resources on this page.

http://www.pimahealth.org/disease/sw...u_arizona.html