Swine flu cases mount

The number of suspected and confirmed swine flu cases continue to rise around worldwide. By early Wednesday, the swine flu outbreak in Mexico was suspected in 159 deaths and more than 2,500 illnesses, the country’s health minister said. So far, the World Health Organization says at least 105 cases have been confirmed worldwide: 64 in the United States; 26 in Mexico (including seven deaths); six in Canada; three in New Zealand; two each in Spain, the United Kingdom and Israel

Share

Swine Flu: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Outbreak

Concern that the world could be on the brink of the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years escalated Sunday as France, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Spain reported potential new cases in which people had been infected with swine flu and Canada confirmed several new cases. In the U.S., where 20 such infections have been confirmed, federal health officials declared a public-health emergency and are preparing to distribute to state and local agenciesa quarter of the country’s 50 million-dose stockpile of antiviral drugs. Meanwhile, in hard-hit Mexico, where more than 80 people have died from what is believed to be swine flu, the government closed all public schools and canceled hundreds of public events in Mexico City.

Share

More cases of swine flu reported; WHO warns of ‘health emergency’

A potentially deadly new strain of the swine flu virus cropped up in more places in the United States and Mexico on Saturday, in what the World Health Organization called "a public health emergency of international concern." The most recent reports Saturday afternoon were of two confirmed cases of the virus in Kansas — bringing the number of confirmed U.S. cases to 11. Those joined nine confirmed cases in Texas and California and an apparent outbreak at a private school in New York City, where officials say eight children likely have the virus.

Share

Texas family quarantined after son contracts swine flu

As Hayden Henshaw was being rushed to the doctor’s office after becoming ill, his father heard that his son’s classmates had been struck with the deadly swine flu virus like the one sweeping through Mexico. Patrick Henshaw called his wife immediately to have Hayden checked for it. Later, they received the bad news

Share

CDC Readies Vaccine in Case of Swine Flu Pandemic

Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged on Friday that “concern has grown” since the first reports of a novel swine flu infecting patients in Texas and California emerged late March. Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the agency, said health officials are closely tracking the spread of the swine flu, after additional cases of flu and some deaths were reported in Mexico

Share