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

The ongoing outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1) continues to expand in the United States. CDC expects that more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths from this outbreak will occur over the coming days and weeks.More Info

Swine Flu Global Map List number of cases in the world
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Proper hand washing with soap and water
Follow these instructions for washing with soap and water:

* Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply liquid soap or use clean bar soap. Lather well.
* Rub your hands vigorously together for at least 15 to 20 seconds.
* Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
* Rinse well.
* Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel.
* Use a towel to turn off the faucet.

Proper use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers — which don’t require water — are an excellent alternative to hand washing, particularly when soap and water aren’t available. They’re actually more effective than soap and water in killing bacteria and viruses that cause disease. Commercially prepared hand sanitizers contain ingredients that help prevent skin dryness. Using these products can result in less skin dryness and irritation than hand washing.

Not all hand sanitizers are created equal, though. Some “waterless” hand sanitizers don’t contain alcohol. Use only the alcohol-based products. The CDC recommends choosing products that contain at least 60 percent alcohol.

To use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

* Apply about 1/2 teaspoon of the product to the palm of your hand.
* Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until they’re dry.

If your hands are visibly dirty, however, wash with soap and water, if available, rather than a sanitizer.
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