By: Keith Brock
November 4, 2009
www.can-you-hear-us-now.com
November 4, 2009
www.can-you-hear-us-now.com
Flu Shot Locator
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the latest data on the Season Influenza (Flu). Week 40 is normally the week the Flu season officially starts but this year the CDC is providing information back to week 35 to show the changes that are occurring. (Click graphs to enlarge.)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the latest data on the Season Influenza (Flu). Week 40 is normally the week the Flu season officially starts but this year the CDC is providing information back to week 35 to show the changes that are occurring. (Click graphs to enlarge.)As I look at the information (Below in table in article) my first impression are: What region do I live in? For me, it is in California so I am in Region 9. I find Region 9 and then read across the data. The legend is at the top in a vertical column. The data I am interested in is the number of H1N1 infections, which is in red to make it easier to find. Region 9 has 2,778 cases. Interestingly I notice that there zero cases of regular Flu A(H1) and only one case of A (H3). This tells me that the H1N1 virus is right out of the gate more aggressively and is rising fast each month now.
More disturbing in this data is the last column – the number of Pediatric Deaths: 28 in Region 6, for eaxample. These numbers each represent real children that parents will no longer hold in their arms, squeeze with love, or see daily. They are not numbers; they are lost preciousness. Keep track of this report as it comes out from the CDC to know what kind of danger zone you children are living in.
Looking at the Data: Region 4 and 6 show the most deaths. Click to see map of regions. As the Flu moves into more populated areas there are dangers the number of deaths of children will rise.
During week 42 (October 18-24, 2009), influenza activity increased in the U.S.
It was reported today that the number of elderly are not affected by the virus as was originally feared. The answer: Those born before 1957 have been in contact with other close strains of the virus and have built up protection. Those in most danger are our young children. I have truly mixed feelings about the virus for my 2 year-old granddaughter, and 10 year-old grandson. As I hear more and more about the virus, and see the number of children that have already died from its affects, I believe they are much better served by the protection of the virus. There is a probability that they could be negatively affected by the shots to protect them, but the risk is so small compared to the risk of their dying if they don’t have the protection and get the virus.
Everyone must make this decision for their children and it is very personal. The question that comes to my mind and weighs on my heart is this: What if one or both died from this Flu and I was responsible for their not getting the shot because of my fear and goal of protecting them? I believe it would be much easier living with the consequences of problems from the shots then living with the consequences of not getting them and something horrible happening.
What do you think? Please leave comments and get signed up for the CDC reports so you know what is happening in your area. There is an unseen killer coming and we must be prepared.
Facts:
•8,268 (42.1%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division were positive for influenza.
•The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was above the epidemic threshold.
•Twenty-two influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported. Nineteen of these deaths were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and three were associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was undetermined.
•The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was above the national baseline. All 10 regions reported ILI above region-specific baseline levels.
•Forty-eight states reported geographically widespread influenza activity, Guam and two states reported regional influenza activity, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico reported local influenza activity, and the U.S. Virgin Islands did not report.
National and Regional Summary of Select Surveillance Components HHS Surveillance Regions* Data for current week Data cumulative for the season
Out-patient ILI†
% positive for flu‡
Number of jurisdictions reporting regional or widespread activity§
A (H1)
A (H3) 2009 A (H1N1)
A (unable to sub-type)¥
A(Subtyping not performed)
B Pediatric Deaths
Nation Elevated 42.1 % 51 of 54 16 33 24,971 280 14,382 88 74
Region 1 Elevated 21.5 % 6 of 6 5 2 582 2 61 5 0
Region 2 Elevated 14.2 % 2 of 4 1 5 177 0 205 3 0
Region 3 Elevated 51.0 % 5 of 6 1 5 5,449 13 703 9 4
Region 4 Elevated 23.0 % 8 of 8 0 1 2,797 56 3,130 11 20
Region 5 Elevated 45.8 % 6 of 6 3 14 3,805 70 647 10 5
Region 6 Elevated 20.5 % 5 of 5 0 3 1,723 3 3,132 8 28
Region 7 Elevated 50.6 % 4 of 4 3 1 2,323 114 617 5 1
Region 8 Elevated 41.9 % 6 of 6 2 0 3,732 1 5,282 32 7
Region 9 Elevated 28.0 % 5 of 5 0 1 2,778 17 499 3 5
Region 10 Elevated 33.2 % 4 of 4 1 1 1,605 4 106 2 4
*Influenza season officially begins each year at week 40. This season data from week 35 will be included to show the trend of influenza activity before the official start of the 2009-10 influenza season.
**HHS regions
(Region 1 CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT; Region 2: NJ, NY, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands;
Region 3: DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV;
Region 4: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN;
Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI;
Region 6: AR, LA, NM, OK, TX;
Region 7: IA, KS, MO, NE;
Region 8: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY;
Region 9: AZ, CA, Guam, HI, NV; Region 10: AK, ID, OR, WA).
† Influenza-like illness (ILI) Elevated means the % of visits for ILI is at or above the national or region-specific baseline
‡ National data are for current week; regional data are for the most recent three weeks
§ Includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands
¥ The majority of influenza A viruses that cannot be sub-typed as seasonal influenza viruses are 2009 A (H1N1) influenza viruses upon further testingFacts:
Always remind children to:
•Cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze—have them throw the tissue away after they use it.
•Wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. If water is not near, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
•Remind them to not to touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way.•Approximately 1/5 of the U.S. population attends or works in schools. (U.S. Dept of Ed, 1999).
•Some viruses and bacteria can live from 20 minutes up to 2 hours or more on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. (Ansari, 1988; Scott and Bloomfield, 1989)•Nearly 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold alone. (CDC, 1996)
•Addressing the spread of germs in schools is essential to the health of our youth, our schools, and our nation.•Students need to get plenty of sleep and physical activity, drink water, and eat good food to help them stay healthy in the winter and all year.
More Information
•The Flu: A Guide for Parents (521KB, 2 pages)
Questions and answers about the flu, how to protect your child, treatment, and more
Flu recommendations for schools and child care providers
•Questions and Answers: Information for Schools
Printable version of answers to questions commonly asked by school administrators, teachers, staff, and parents
•Children and the Flu Vaccine
CDC recommendations on which children should get a flu vaccine
•Protecting Against the Flu: Advice for Caregivers of Children Less Than 6 Months Old
Research has shown that children less than 5 years of age are at high risk of serious flu-related complications
•Stopping Germs at Home, Work and School
CDC Reference Links
•Snort. Sniffle. Sneeze. No Antibiotics Please!
Explains why antibiotics don't work for a cold or the flu
•Ounce of Prevention
Tips and streaming video for parents and children about the steps and benefits of effective hand washing
•Flu Season and Schools
Guidance from the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools (CHHCS)
Read more about the 2009 H1N1 Influenza and Pregnant Women
Pregnant women can get seriously ill with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called "novel H1N1 flu" or "swine flu"). Learn how to protect yourself and your baby and what to do if you have symptoms of the flu.
What Should Pregnant Women Know About 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)?
2009 H1N1 Influenza Shots and Pregnant Women
Flu Dot Gov
Vaccine Shipment Status
by Project Area
Posted October 30, 2009, 12:00 PM ET
Project Areas*** Total Doses Shipped
as of 10/28/09**
Alabama 212,700
Alaska 57,700
American Samoa 0
Arizona 332,800
Arkansas 201,100
California 2,025,700
Chicago 212,700
Colorado 255,300
Connecticut 187,000
Delaware 50,000
District of Columbia 49,000
Federal Worker Program* 82,300
Florida 750,300
Georgia 443,200
Guam 9,500
Hawaii 65,000
Idaho 113,300
Illinois 784,900
Indiana 460,800
Iowa 160,600
Kansas 117,100
Kentucky 178,900
Louisiana 253,800
Maine 84,100
Marshall Islands 0
Maryland 306,900
Massachusetts 404,500
Michigan 556,800
Micronesia 8,100
Minnesota 290,300
Mississippi 136,500
Missouri 250,000
Montana 49,000
Nebraska 111,200
Nevada 135,100
New Hampshire 58,600
New Jersey 597,200
New Mexico 116,100
New York 560,200
New York City 511,100
North Carolina 440,900
North Dakota 37,000
Northern Mariana Islands 2,400
Ohio 595,200
Oklahoma 168,200
Oregon 186,500
Pennsylvania 718,600
Philadelphia 93,500
Puerto Rico 42,900
Republic of Palau 1,300
Rhode Island 48,200
South Carolina 186,400
South Dakota 62,100
Tennessee 430,000
Texas 1,170,400
Utah 144,900
Vermont 52,100
Virgin Islands 5,400
Virginia 489,700
Washington 334,900
West Virginia 114,900
Wisconsin 333,000
Wyoming 32,100
*For more information, please visit: http://www.opm.gov/pandemic/memos/h1n1_20090930.asp
**There is a lag time between allocation, ordering, and shipment of doses as project areas place orders and those orders are processed and shipped.
***Project areas reflect CDC Public Health Emergency Response (PHER) Grantees
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