H1N1 flu appears to have finally abated
The H1N1 flu pandemic that swept through the region and the nation and made millions of people sick, appears to have abated before the end of the traditional flu season, according experts I talked to for my story on the flu in yesterday's Sun.
There also appears to be little traditional flu going around.
And while, public health officials aren't ready to declare the flu totally gone -- a DC-area man died in late February -- they are saying that they don't see a big new wave, at least in areas that were hard hit already.
So many people have had the flu or gotten the vaccine that we may have something of a herd immunity going. About a third of people normally get the flu vaccine and more than that are estimated to have gotten the traditional flu shots this year. A little less than a third have gotten the H1N1 vaccine, but it's still be handed out.
Officials still suggest getting immunized. It's free at all the local health departments. All the vaccine you get in your life adds up, and this new and unique virus could still return.
As for deaths, this season appears to have been less deadly overall that past years, though the finally tally isn't in and may never be known. Many people are never tested and their cause of death is often listed as a complication or underlying health condition. So far, the state has counted 44 deaths from lab-confirmed H1N1 influenza, a disproportionate number of which were kids.
Seasonal flu and complications including pneumonia typically kills 1,000. They are usually elderly people with underlying health conditions, which is why the number is so high.
Baltimore Sun photo of H1N1 vaccine at the Howard County health department/Lloyd Fox
Categories: News roundup, Swine flu/H1N1
Comments
Good. Between an informed public that did not get inoculated with contaminated flu vaccines, while eating correctly to avoid illness, we are [or should be] "officially over" the pandemic that never panned out. Thank God for the internet, passing proper information, while Government and media were pushing this pandemic causing $billions of income for vaccine people. http://www.HealingNews.com
Posted by: HealingNews | March 9, 2010 7:22 PM
There has been a big push over the past 5 or so years to get thimerosal out of pediatric vaccines. In fact it was to be signed into law that it couldn't be used in pediatric vaccines until the bill was vetoed by the last president. Since then the decision has been made to expand influenza and now swine flu vaccination to children. Vaccines that more often than not contain thimerosal. Despite the efforts of the past five years it is unclear with all the flu vaccination push if the total dose of thimerosal being injected into children may even be increasing. Thimerosal has already been banned from much of the world over concerns of neurotoxicity. It is 49% by weight ethyl mercury. It is not necessary for either the safety or efficacy of vaccines. Why is it still in vaccines given to children and why shouldn't we be concerned?
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Posted by: Paul | March 9, 2010 7:23 PM
Due to immunity to the 2009 H1N1 both by illness and immunizations, we have seen a decrease in laboratory confirmed 2009 H1N1. However, historically during influenza pandemics the activity shows influenza has occurred in waves, therefore additional small waves are still possible.
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Posted by: APHL | March 11, 2010 10:52 AM