The novel H1N1 swine flu virus continues its march across the United States and the globe, oblivious to the normal summer ebb of such germs. The pandemic illness continues to afflict those under age 25 more than any other group.
While the number of confirmed cases has hit 27,717 — 941 of them from Florida — the actual number is probably over 1 million, the CDC’s Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters in a press briefing today.
The CDC is monitoring 34 outbreaks in 16 states, she said. Flu activity in Florida is sporadic. New York, on the other hand, reports widespread flu activity.
Globally, there have been nearly 60,000 confirmed cases. In the Southern Hemisphere, where the winter flu season is beginning, Australia, Argentina and Chile are among the harder-hit nations, she said.
Although most people recover from the illness without needing care, it can hit others with ferocity, Schuchat said.
“People with asthma, people with diabetes, heart disease and of course people who are pregnant need to be especially concerned if they develop fever and other flu like symptoms,” Schuchat said.
http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/on-call/2009/06/26/florida-has-941-swine-flu-cases-likely-more-than-1-million-nationwide/
