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Home › Politics

Swine Flu Update | 08/25/2009 8:35 am

Bleak Outlook for This Season's Outbreak of Swine Flu; Up to 90,000 Americans Could Die (Video)

Presidential advisory council says millions could be sickened by potentially deadly H1N1; Kathleen Sebelius says schools should not be shut down.
By The Staff at wowOwow.com
Today Show

With up to 90,000 Americans at risk of dying of swine flu this fall, public health officials are alerting schools to what they can do to prevent themselves from being incubators for the deadly H1N1 virus. Meanwhile, government officials are pushing drug companies to make sure the vaccine is available as early as next month.

The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) warned that swine flu "poses a serious health threat" to the nation and up to half of the American population could come down with the strain and 90,000 could die this season. As many as 1.8 million people could end up in the hospital seeking treatment for the H1N1 virus. At its worst, between 60 and 120 million Americans could get sick with this particular flu, while another 30 million could contract it but not actually show symptoms. 

"This is going to be fairly serious," Harold Varmus of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and PCAST co-chairman, told Newsday. "It’s going to stress every aspect of our health system."

Click here to read wOw’s "5 Things You Should Know About Swine Flu."

Whereas the seasonal flu is also deadly and often causes death in the elderly, swine flu mainly preys on children and young adults. The vaccine was supposed to be made available beginning October 15 but that date could be pushed up. Health-care providers and pregnant woman will be among the first to receive the vaccine. And, of course, everyone should cover their mouths and frequently wash their hands, among other things, to avoid contracting the virus.

"This isn’t the flu that we’re used to," said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "The 2009 H1N1 virus will cause a more serious threat this fall."

Click here to read the entire PCAST report. Watch Sebelius talk about the swine flu threat and school preparation on "The Today Show" below:

Read more about: Antivirals, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, H1N1 virus, Health, Kathleen Sebelius, News, schools, Swine Flu, U.S., Vaccine, Video, Wellness, World

37 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Kristy B
We already have 10 new cases in my area.
By Kristy B on 08/25/2009 9:08 am
F P
Get your flu shots, folks. ASAP.
By F P on 08/25/2009 9:10 am
DeBúrca obj
Yes but the flu shots out there don’t cover swine flu do they? 
By DeBúrca obj on 08/25/2009 1:27 pm
F P
Tamiflu apparently does—but check out the CDC site I posted below—more info there. 
By F P on 08/25/2009 1:50 pm
Maggie W

According to one of the many Michele Bachman quotes, the swine flu only comes around when a Democrat is in office.  So, I believe all Dems should be in line first for the vaccine.

Seriously, all of us should take heed.  I intend to get the shot.  I am wondering if local pharmacies will carrry it as they have done with past flu vaccines. Then I intend to go on with life as usual, remembering to wash my hands frequently and hoping for the best for everyone.

By Maggie W on 08/25/2009 9:27 am
F P
Ah yes, Maggie, Ms Looney Minnesota—gotta love her—she’s soooo entertaining and incredibly silly.
By F P on 08/25/2009 9:40 am
Maggie W

FP, if you have been concerned with the economy, don’t be.  Acording to Bachman, Americans don’t mind working two jobs. 

Here in Texas, Gov. Rick " We Will Secede" Perry says the Lone Star State is prepared for any outbreak.  That means we probably are not.  Here’s one of his quotes, " This virus doesn’t seem to want to go away." Our Ricky is right on top of things.   According to a recent news report, the swine flu vaccines will first go to the most populated states and to those who are most vulnerable: school children, those with chronic health problems, and pregnant women.  It will be mid October before all states receive the vaccine.

By Maggie W on 08/25/2009 10:11 am
F P
Ricky’s still around?  I thought he’d already seceded.  As for the vaccine, we have it here in Mn. Our local Walgreens is offering shots for a minimal price. Deb works in Public Health and is keeping me up to date on this—I’m actually more worried about West Mile virus—MN mosquitoes are as big as they get and they’re out in full force.  
By F P on 08/25/2009 10:36 am
Kristy B
I read this online as well.  I thought to myself "ouor state must really be in trouble!"
By Kristy B on 08/25/2009 11:26 am
Sherry Dale
So those of us on immune suppressing chemo isn’t at risk?  This is scary, I have a child in school already… why not keep the kids out until we have our first shot at least?
By Sherry Dale on 08/25/2009 9:48 am
Mary Quite-Contrary

I lost a close relative in 1976 during the first Swine Flu hysteria.  Guillaine Barre Syndrome is problematic with any vaccine; but one ‘rushed’ to the public raises more concerns about side effects; contamination of the vaccine, etc.

A telling commentary (once again from the BBC—the British media not subjecting themselves to hysteria) was that over half of all British’s doctors would opt ‘out’ of taking the vaccine.  Why is that?

 

By Mary Quite-Contrary on 08/25/2009 11:20 am
F P
Frankly too many doctors think of themselves of god-like and immune from ordinary human diseases. 
By F P on 08/25/2009 12:00 pm
Mary Quite-Contrary
I can’t link from my phone, but in the Guardian UK web edition, the articles states that the doctors surveyed questioned the need for a vaccine and that the ‘rush’ to ‘market’ could compromise both clinical trials as well as the very safety of the vaccine itself. The British docs are not being “g-d like” they are just exercising their medical knowledge against the perceived risk. Telling that so many would refuse for themselves and their own family members.
By Mary Quite-Contrary on 08/27/2009 10:12 am
Belinda Joy

Hmmm, puts the discussion of universal health care in a new light eh?

Let’s hope all the kids and young adults out there that are predicted to come up with the H1N1 virus have health insurance to cover the vast amount of medical attention they will most assuredly need…..

By Belinda Joy on 08/25/2009 11:50 am
C Hardy

Ok lets start wide spread panic already…I can’t run out and get my flu shot b/c there not availalbe yet but when they are I will like I have every year in the past get one as will my daughter and my husband…I will pray that we dont get it and if we do then prayers will be that we will get over without major complications. 

I also hope the numbers put out are WRONG and that its not as bad as the "experts" say it will be…I am not sure how they know around 90K people will get it - how do they come up with that? 

By C Hardy on 08/25/2009 12:34 pm
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