Swine Flu Facts September 2009

CDC estimates it has caused more than 1 million illnesses so far,though most were mild and not reported. Since mid-April to August 30, 2009, a total of 9,079 hospitalizations and 593 deaths associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses have been reported to the CDC.

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. The WHO designation of a pandemic alert Phase 6 reflects the fact that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world. WHO's decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. More than 70 countries are now reporting cases of human infection with novel H1N1 flu. Between 30 & 40,000 people die of regular flu/complications from flu every year.97% of all sub typed influenza A viruses being reported to CDC were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses.Masks will prevent someone from spewing virus, but will NOT protect anyone from getting the virus. concerned the CDC is that this is a flu in swine that is particularly infectious in humans.

The New England Journal of Medicine reports that "Misguided culling of pigs has been carried out in one country, but the virus is not epidemic in pigs; people spread the virus" (Belshe, R.B. NEJM, May 22, 2009).  Present vaccines don't work against this strain. They choose three yearly. Flu strains develop resistance to vaccines quickly, not to mention side effects. A swine flu vaccine is in progress. The CDC reports that the H1N1 virus remains susceptible to antiviral drugs (oseltamivir and zanamivir); however some resistance is being reported.

As resistance is reported, interest in the H1N1 vaccine builds and fear of the virus builds. "The features of the H1N1 epidemic are somewhat similar to past influenza pandemics in that circulation of a new influenza virus is associated with an unseasonal wave of disease affecting a younger population," wrote authors Gerardo Chowell-Puente, an epidemiologist at Arizona State University, and Stefano Bertozzi of the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico.

When the demand is greater than supply, the drug companies can charge high prices for the new vaccine. Drug companies don't make that much profit on normal flu vaccines; flu vaccines make up a small% of a drug company's inventory, relative to other products The government guarantees to subsidize at a greatly reduced cost even if they go unused (in reality most do) and also guarantees liability protection; drug companies have to sell at reduced cost.

Currently, there are no signs that the virus is mutating to become more deadly. Any flu is cause for concern. Building the immune system makes good sense, especially since it was not regular flu season when it started escalating, taking people off guard.