h1n1 – 4VF News – Daily News Channel

Elmo joins H1N1 flu fight

The federal government is reintroducing a powerful weapon in the fight against the H1N1 flu virus: Elmo. The popular Sesame Street character will be featured in a series of public service advertisements meant to encourage better hygiene among young children, the Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday. In the ads, Elmo teams up with Gordon, another Sesame Street veteran, to stress the importance of basic healthy habits such as frequent hand washing, sneezing into the bend of your arm, and not touching your mouth, nose, and eyes

Report: Swine flu could cause up to 90,000 U.S. deaths

The H1N1 flu virus could cause up to 90,000 U.S.

Costa Rican president sick with swine flu

Costa Rican President Oscar Arias has been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, commonly known as the swine flu, the government said in a televised statement on Tuesday. Arias fell ill on Sunday, complaining of a sore throat and temperature, Presidential Minister Rodrigo Arias said.

Military planning for possible H1N1 outbreak

The U.S. military wants to establish regional teams of military personnel to assist civilian authorities in the event of a significant outbreak of the H1N1 virus this fall, according to Defense Department officials.

Swine flu threatens Muslim Hajj season

Two Hajj pilgrims from Iran have contracted the H1N1 virus, according to reports from the country’s official news agency. Iran’s official Fars news agency Wednesday reported that a 57-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man who had recently returned from a pilgrimage tested positive for the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. This brings Iran’s tally to three cases.

Doctors warn against ‘swine flu parties’

Health experts are warning parents against holding "swine flu parties" in the hope of infecting their children with the H1N1 virus. Talk of swine flu parties has emerged on Internet forums. The idea is that exposing a child to the H1N1 virus while it remains relatively mild will give the child immunity if the virus returns in a more virulent form later on.

Girl, 9, dies of swine flu as UK cases jump

A nine-year-old girl has died in Britain from the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, as authorities reported a jump in the number of cases in the country.

WHO considers move to pandemic phase 6 for H1N1 virus

The World Health Organization announced Tuesday it is still considering increasing its pandemic alert level to phase 6 because of growing worldwide cases of the H1N1 virus, or swine flu. “Globally, we are at phase 5, but we are nearing phase 6,” said Dr. Keiji Fukuda, WHO’s Assistant Director General.

Son of flu victim pitches no-hitter day after funeral

The son of a New York City assistant principal who died after being hospitalized with the H1N1 flu virus is a baseball hero. Jordan Wiener, 18, of Robert F. Kennedy High School pitched a no-hitter on Thursday, leading his high school team to a 10-0 victory the day after his father’s funeral

Number of H1N1 cases nears 10,000

The number of confirmed H1N1 flu cases worldwide is nearing 10,000, the World Health Organization said Tuesday morning.