Swine flu, now rechristened Novel H1N1 Flu, first appeared in the United 
States in April 2009. After ramping up to a fever pitch along the lines of DEFCON 1, the freak-out hysteria about a worldwide pandemic died down, and people moved on with their lives. Well, people may have moved on, but apparently the Novel H1N1 Flu hasn't. According to a summary of the situation on July 10, 2009 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
"Since the WHO declaration of a pandemic (on June 11, 2009), the new H1N1 virus has continued to spread, with the number of countries reporting cases of novel H1N1 nearly doubling. The Southern Hemisphere’s regular influenza season has begun and countries there are reporting that the new H1N1 virus is spreading and causing illness along with regular seasonal influenza viruses. In the United States, significant novel H1N1 illness has continued into the summer, with localized and in some cases intense outbreaks occurring. The United States continues to report the largest number of novel H1N1 cases of any country worldwide, however, most people who have become ill have recovered without requiring medical treatment.
Given ongoing novel H1N1 activity to date, CDC anticipates that there will be more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths associated with this pandemic in the United States over the summer and into the fall and winter. The novel H1N1 virus, in conjunction with regular seasonal influenza viruses, poses the potential to cause significant illness with associated hospitalizations and deaths during the U.S. influenza season."
Please watch this video from the CDC which talks about symptoms of swine flu and what to do about it:
To find out about swine flu cases in your area, and to find resources available in your state, please roll over your state in the graphic below:
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