Swine Flu Outbreak Continues To Grow

According to the CDC's website, the human swine flu outbreak continues to grow in the U.S. and worldwide.

Today, CDC is reporting additional cases of confirmed swine influenza and a number of hospitalizations of swine flu patients.

Internationally, the situation is more serious, with additional countries reporting confirmed cases of swine flu. In response to the intensifying outbreak, the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 4.

A Phase 4 alert is characterized by confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus able to cause community-level outbreaks. The increase in the pandemic alert phase indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased. There are a total of 6 alert levels.

CDC has activated its emergency operation center to coordinate the agency's emergency response. CDC'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 this swine influenza virus.

On Monday, CDC issued a travel warning recommending that people avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. CDC continues to issue interim guidance daily on their website and through health alert network notices.

CDC's Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is releasing one-quarter of its antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to help states respond to the outbreak.

The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir.

On the Net:
Centers for Disease Control - See number of confirmed U.S. cases.

FedEx and other private delivery carriers have been notified to have their critical fleet ready to help transport the antiviral drugs and protection equipment and devices if needed.
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