Swine Flu Update: Virus Spreads & 16,455 Dead

Epidemic Peaks in Most Areas but Minor Increases in Others

May 27, 2009
Rosemary E. Bachelor

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The World Health Organization announced early in 2010 that it is still premature to change the pandemic phase. Therefore, swine flu pandemic status remains in effect.

The WHO Director-General reported on Feb. 24, 2010, that his advisors have found mixed evidence showing declining or low pandemic activity in many countries, but new community level transmission activity in West Africa.

Swine Flu Concerns Continue

One concern is that there is no way to measure how many cases have not been reported, notably because the symptoms resemble those of other types of flu. Many who have a light case of flu caused by this new Type A H1N1 virus will not even see a doctor.

Vaccine is available, but some countries have not renewed their supply.

Another concern is that the winter months of the Southern Hemisphere have not started. There was uncertainty about whether additional generalized waves of activity might occur in that region.

Peak Period of Pandemic H1N1

The WHO advisory committee reported that it is premature to conclude that all parts of the world have experienced peak transmission of the H1N1 pandemic influenza and that additional time and information are needed before that determination can be made.

Transmission of the swine flu virus persists in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere in some areas of Eastern Europe (Russian Federation, Bulgaria, Armenia and Moldova) and Asia (Thailand), but influenza activity is at a low level in most areas.

Unofficial Death Toll at 16,455

As of the first week of March, 2010, more than 213 countries and overseas territorities had reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic swine flu, including at least 16,455 deaths. There is no mandatory reporting of deaths which means that figure is probably much lower than the actual number of deaths.

Cases of swine flu have ranged from those with a non-febrile, upper respiratory tract illness to severe or fatal pneumonia. Most cases appear to have uncomplicated, typical flu type illness, from which they can recover in a normal way.

The most commonly reported symptoms are a cough, fever, sore throat, malaise and headache. Some patients have not had a fever. United States health officials report that gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, have appeared in up to 38% of U. S. cases. Fewer than 10% of the North American flu patients have been admitted to a hospital.

Swine Flu in Patients with Other Health Conditions

Almost half of the United States patients who were hospitalized had such underlying conditions as asthma, other lung diseases, diabetes, morbid obesity, autoimmune disorders, neurological disorders and cardiovascular disease.

Pregnant women are among high risk patients needing hospitalization. Complications can cause spontaneous abortion. At-risk people are urged to continue taking such precautions as washing their hands frequently and staying away from crowded areas.