CDC H1N1 Flu Update

Update on Situation

CDC continues to take aggressive action to respond to an expanding outbreak caused by H1N1 (swine flu).

CDC’s response goals are to:

Reduce transmission and illness severity, and
Provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this emergency.
CDC continues to issue and update interim guidance daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation. This includes guidance on when to close schools and how to care for someone who is sick at home. Supplies from CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) are being sent to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak. In addition, the Federal Government and manufacturers have begun the process of developing a vaccine against this new virus.

Response actions are aggressive, but they may vary across states and communities depending on local circumstances. Communities, businesses, places of worship, schools and individuals can all take action to slow the spread of this outbreak. People who are sick are urged to stay home from work or school and to avoid contact with others, except to seek medical care. This action can avoid spreading illness further.

U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection

As of 11:30 AM ET on May 2, 2009, CDC has confirmed 160 human cases and 1 death in 21 states:

Arizona: 4
California: 24
Colorado: 2
Connecticut: 1
Delaware: 4
Florida: 2
Illinois: 3
Indiana: 3
Kansas: 2
Kentucky: 1 (case is a resident of Kentucky but currently hospitalized in Georgia)
Massachusetts: 6
Michigan: 2
Minnesota: 1
Missouri: 1
Nevada: 1
New Jersey: 7
New York: 51
Ohio: 1
South Carolina: 13
Texas: 28 (and 1 death)
Virginia: 2

For more information, see the CDC H1N1 Flu website.

International Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection

For information about the global situation, see the World Health Organization website.

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.