A Pandemic Is Declared
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway.

More than 70 countries are now reporting cases of human infection with novel H1N1 flu. This number has been increasing over the past few weeks, but many of the cases reportedly had links to travel or were localized outbreaks without community spread. The WHO designation of a pandemic alert Phase 6 reflects the fact that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world.

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Alabama 123 cases 0 deaths
Alaska 11 cases 0 deaths
Arkansas 13 cases 0 deaths
Arizona 597 cases 5 deaths
California 1094 cases 6 deaths
Colorado 75 cases 0 deaths
Connecticut 637 cases 1 death
Delaware 187 cases 0 deaths
Florida 417 cases 0 deaths
Georgia 39 cases 0 deaths
Hawaii 198 cases 0 deaths
Idaho 29 cases 0 deaths
Illinois 1983 cases 5 deaths
Indiana 201 cases 0 deaths
Iowa 92 cases 0 deaths
Kansas 97 cases 0 deaths
Kentucky 106 cases 0 deaths
Louisiana 134 cases 0 deaths
Maine 33 cases 0 deaths
Maryland 139 cases 0 deaths
Massachusetts 1078 cases 0 deaths
Michigan 419 cases 1 death
Minnesota 153 cases 0 deaths
Mississippi 59 cases 0 deaths
Missouri 46 cases 1 death
Montana 27 cases 0 deaths
Nebraska 71 cases 0 deaths
Nevada 162 cases 0 deaths
New Hampshire 92 cases 0 deaths
New Jersey 348 cases 0 deaths
New Mexico 155 cases 0 deaths
New York 1160 cases 13 deaths
North Carolina 61 cases 0 deaths
North Dakota 31 cases 0 deaths
Ohio 53 cases 0 deaths
Oklahoma 93 cases 0 deaths
Oregon 189 cases 1 death
Pennsylvania 626 cases 2 deaths
Rhode Island 62 cases 0 deaths
South Carolina 60 cases 0 deaths
South Dakota 14 cases 1 death
Tennessee 110 cases 0 deaths
Texas 2049 cases 3 deaths
Utah 688 cases 2 deaths
Vermont 32 cases 0 deaths
Virginia 90 cases 1 death
Washington 584 cases 2 deaths
Washington, D.C. 33 cases 0 deaths
West Virginia 40 cases 0 deaths
Wisconsin 3008 cases 1 death
Wyoming 50 cases 0 deaths

Territories

Puerto Rico 7 cases 0 deaths
TOTAL (52)
17,855 cases
45 deaths

CDC Latest Update on What is going on with the Flu.
Yes people are still getting sick from the flu. No it does not seem as bad as was reported reported.
YES, STILL WASH YOUR HANDS to avoid getting any illness.
Do I practice what I preach? Yes! and I still managed to catch the cold type virus de jour that is going around our area. Scratchy throat,loss of runny nose, and feeling “Yucky” ( a medical term!) Bummer!
More Info on the H1N1

It’s thought that novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread; mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus.

It’s uncertain at this time how severe this novel H1N1 outbreak will be in terms of illness and death compared with other influenza viruses. Because this is a new virus, most people will not have immunity to it, and illness may be more severe and widespread as a result. In addition, currently there is no vaccine to protect against this novel H1N1 virus. CDC anticipates that there will be more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths associated with this new virus in the coming days and weeks.

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U.S. HUMAN CASES OF H1N1 FLU INFECTION

As of May 22, 2009, 11:00 AM ET, CDC is reporting 6,552 confirmed and probable cases and 9 deaths in 48 states (including the District of Columbia):

Alabama 66 cases 0 deaths
Arkansas 3 cases 0 deaths
Arizona 520 cases 2 deaths
California 553 cases 0 deaths
Colorado 59 cases 0 deaths
Connecticut 81 cases 0 deaths
Delaware 94 cases 0 deaths
Florida 129 cases 0 deaths
Georgia 27 cases 0 deaths
Hawaii 33 cases 0 deaths
Idaho 18 cases 0 deaths
Illinois 877 cases 0 deaths
Indiana 106 cases 0 deaths
Iowa 71 cases 0 deaths
Kansas 34 cases 0 deaths
Kentucky 22 cases 0 deaths
Louisiana 86 cases 0 deaths
Maine 9 cases 0 deaths
Maryland 41 cases 0 deaths
Massachusetts 197 cases 0 deaths
Michigan 176 cases 0 deaths
Minnesota 39 cases 0 deaths
Mississippi 7 cases 0 deaths
Missouri 24 cases 1 death
Montana 10 cases 0 deaths
Nebraska 29 cases 0 deaths
Nevada 32 cases 0 deaths
New Hampshire 23 cases 0 deaths
New Jersey 47 cases 0 deaths
New Mexico 97 cases 0 deaths
New York 327 cases 1 death
North Carolina 12 cases 0 deaths
North Dakota 5 cases 0 deaths
Ohio 14 cases 0 deaths
Oklahoma 50 cases 0 deaths
Oregon 101 cases 0 deaths
Pennsylvania 73 cases 0 deaths
Rhode Island 9 cases 0 deaths
South Carolina 36 cases 0 deaths
South Dakota 4 cases 0 deaths
Tennessee 89 cases 0 deaths
Texas 900 cases 3 deaths
Utah 122 cases 1 death
Vermont 2 cases 0 deaths
Virginia 25 cases 0 deaths
Washington 494 cases 1 death
Washington, D.C. 13 cases 0 deaths
Wisconsin 766 cases 0 deaths
TOTAL*(48) 6,552 cases 9 deaths

H1N1 Swine flu continues to grow so STILL was your hands!
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Alabama: 55 cases, 0 deaths
Arkansas: 2 cases, 0 deaths
Arizona: 435 cases, 1 death
California: 504 cases, 0 deaths
Colorado: 55 cases, 0 deaths
Connecticut: 47 cases, 0 deaths
Delaware: 60 cases, 0 deaths
Florida: 68 cases, 0 deaths
Georgia: 18 cases, 0 deaths
Hawaii: 10 cases, 0 deaths
Idaho: 5 cases, 0 deaths
Illinois: 638 cases, 0 deaths
Indiana: 71 cases, 0 deaths
Iowa: 66 cases, 0 deaths
Kansas: 30 cases, 0 deaths
Kentucky: 13 cases, 0 deaths
Louisiana: 57 cases, 0 deaths
Maine: 14 cases, 0 deaths
Maryland: 28 cases, 0 deaths
Massachusetts: 135 cases, 0 deaths
Michigan: 142 cases, 0 deaths
Minnesota: 36 cases, 0 deaths
Missouri: 19 cases, 0 deaths
Montana: 4 cases, 0 deaths
Nebraska: 27 cases, 0 deaths
Nevada: 26 cases, 0 deaths
New Hampshire: 18 cases, 0 deaths
New Jersey: 14 cases, 0 deaths
New Mexico: 68 cases, 0 deaths
New York: 242 cases, 0 deaths
North Carolina: 12 cases, 0 deaths
North Dakota: 2 cases, 0 deaths
Ohio: 14 cases, 0 deaths
Oklahoma: 26 cases, 0 deaths
Oregon: 94 cases, 0 deaths
Pennsylvania: 47 cases, 0 deaths
Rhode Island: 8 cases, 0 deaths
South Carolina: 36 cases, 0 deaths
South Dakota: 4 cases, 0 deaths
Tennessee: 74 cases, 0 deaths
Texas: 506 cases, 2 deaths
Utah: 91 cases, 0 deaths
Vermont: 1 cases, 0 deaths
Virginia: 21 cases, 0 deaths
Washington: 246 cases, 1 death
Washington, D.C.: 12 cases, 0 deaths
Wisconsin: 613 cases, 0 deaths

Most of us DO NOT to not want to feel flu like.  When you have a bad case of the flu you feel like you are “going to die” even though you are not.   So taking all precautions are still necessary.  Why not make your self a H1N1 Flu Prevention Kit.

The Kit could include:

1.  Great Moisturizing Pump Hand Soap (Dry cracked hands are an open invitation for “creatures”)
Wash your hands with soap and warm water
2.   Hand Sanitizing Gel, Spray, or single use packets ( for when when you can’t get to soap and water)
3.   Anti Viral Kleenex and a zip lock bag to put them in after use, if there is no trash can around.
4.   N95 N95 Respirator Mask -Flat-fold design -Individually packaged to prevent contamination during storage. Get one for home, your car, your purse or pocket. More Info where to purchase masks

The Girl Scout Principle… Always be prepared

So you have the Flu!

5-8-09 UpdateH1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
1639 Confirmed Cases in 43 States
Just because not as many people are dying from this does not mean to relax your hand washing technique!
When you get the flu you feel like you wish you could die… for a few days.
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