High levels of influenza activity detected in AL

[wotan]

:tiphat: snatamur on the Rhizalabs board.

http://www.myfoxal.com/Global/story.asp?S=10969447

H1N1 spreads at rapid pace across Alabama

Posted: <script type="text/javascript"> wnRenderDate('Friday, August 21, 2009 11:29 AM EST', '', true); </script>Aug 21, 2009 10:29 AM CDT <noscript>Friday, August 21, 2009 11:29 AM EST</noscript><!--END wnDate--> Updated: <script type="text/javascript"> wnRenderDate('Friday, August 21, 2009 11:29 AM EST', '', true); </script>Aug 21, 2009 10:29 AM CDT <noscript>Friday, August 21, 2009 11:29 AM EST</noscript><!--END wnDate-->
<!--END WNStoryHeader--> <!--AD SIZE: Rectangle--> <iframe src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/wn.loc.wbrc/news;sz=180x150;wnsz=20;ord=59971847?;tile=4;wnpt=S;wnpc=story;wncp=WBRC;wndomain=http%3A//www.myfoxal.com/Global/story.asp%3FS%3D10969447;wncc=News;wncid=10969447" frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" width="180"></iframe>
<!--END wnAdSize-->
<script type="text/javascript"> if (window.WNColumnManager) WNColumnManager.add('WNStoryRelatedBox', {collapsible : true, heightAdjustable : false}); </script> <!--END WNStoryRelatedBox--> MONTGOMERY, AL (WBRC) - The H1N1 virus continues to spread at a rapid pace across the state of Alabama.
During a morning news conference, State Health Officer Don Williamson said the number of those infected is growing by the hour.

Out of the last 1000 flu cases they have tested, all but four of them have tested positive for the H1N1 virus.

Williamson said the state will no longer test all flu cases for the swine flu virus and adds that almost all of the people infected with the flu right now are infected with H1N1.

The state is urging students not to go to school if they exhibit fever, muscle aches and cough.

According to Williamson, the state is expected to be getting 600,000 doses of vaccine in October and 300,000 additional doses every two weeks.

Experts revealed this morning that two vaccines will be needed, one in the fall and another in January.

There is a major concern for women who are pregnant, children six months of age to 24 years of age and health care workers. Health care workers are also urged to get the vaccine as soon as it becomes available.

Williamson said if someone comes down with flu like symptoms it should be assumed that it is the H1N1 virus.

 

[Chuck]

Re: High levels of influenza activity detected in AL

http://www.enewscourier.com/local/local_story_237200610.html

Official: Swine flu 'widespread'


By Jean Cole
jean@athensnews-courier.com

The so-called swine flu virus is now widespread in Alabama, though it is not as virulent as anticipated last year, an official said Tuesday.

The prevalence of the H1N1 virus, commonly called the swine flu, has prompted Athens and Limestone County school officials to meet today with officials with the Department of Public Health and the Emergency Management Agency to discuss vaccinations for school-age children.


more.......

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: High levels of influenza activity detected in AL

?It?s widespread and circulating in the state,? said state health department nurse Candece Adkins, who covers Limestone and six other Alabama counties.

Ninety-nine percent of all of the flu samples tested by the ADPH during the past four weeks were positive for swine flu, officials reported Friday. Because of this statistic, health officials said routine tests for H1N1 virus are no longer necessary because those with flu-like symptoms likely have the swine flu.

?So we won?t have good numbers anymore.? Adkins said.

So for Alabama all flu is novel H1N1.

 

[somebodyoutthere]

Re: High levels of influenza activity detected in AL

So for Alabama all flu is novel H1N1.

Yes, but "it is not as virulent as anticipated last year."