The panic has subsided, the scary headlines are gone. If you’ve wanted the flu vaccine you probably received it by now. Even though the media coverage has disappeared, the swine flu is still out there, and it’s still killing Americans.
Here are the facts:
The swine flu has already infected over 50 million Americans, killing over 10,000.
H1N1 has infected over 15% of the total population of the United States since April.
250,000 Americans have been hospitalized from H1N1
7,500 adults ages 18 to 64 have died of H1N1
1,000 children under age 18 have died of H1N1
This latest assessment of the H1N1 epidemic gives the most accurate, up to date numbers as provided by the government.
Another surprising statistic: in a typical year, 95% of overall deaths are in people 65 and older. So far this year, 95% of deaths have been in people younger than age 95.
Although it appears as though the swine flu is waning (just 25 states report widespread activity down from 48 states one month ago) the virus remains highly infectious and could come back even stronger.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is worried that since the media coverage has subsided, the general public will not make hygiene a priority. The CDC wants to make it clear that the best way to prevent the spread of the flu virus is to wash your hands often, avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes and get the flu vaccine as soon as possible.
SOURCE: USA Today 12.11.2009