Flu Week 3 2010

The supplies are available and though you might not be able to get the shot on demand and you may have to stand in line. The shots are everywhere - now is the time to use Google's flu shot finder. Just don't forget to call to find the time as well as the dates at the location nearest you. That's a little piece of information missing from the Google application. This information is received from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report increased over the previous week and is higher than expected for this time of year. This increase in P&I is thought to result from an increase in reports of pneumonia-associated deaths in older people. These deaths are not necessarily related to flu illness. In addition, another five flu-related pediatric deaths  were reported this week: four of these deaths were associated with laboratory confirmed 2009 H1N1, and one death was associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was undetermined. Since April 2009, CDC has received reports of 312 laboratory-confirmed pediatric deaths: 262 due to 2009 H1N1, 47 pediatric deaths that were laboratory confirmed as influenza, but the flu virus subtype was not determined, and two pediatric deaths that were associated with seasonal influenza viruses. (Flu Update) 

It's still considered to be 2009 by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in terms of the flu season. There is still the possibility of more unnecessary deaths that the shot can prevent. The choice is whether or not to get shot - that a decision we've made but we consider the choice live or die. However that's just us we're kind of fond of this living and breathing thing we've got going on.

2010 FLU DEATHS This Last 2010 2009 2008 2007 District of Columbia Baltimore, MD Charlotte, NC Richmond / Norfolk, VA 3 14 11 6 1 26 17 4 6 48 37 18 1 11 6 19 U 21 14 6 1 15 14 7 TOTALS (Week 3) 34 48 109 37 41 37

• No states reported widespread influenza activity. Five states reported regional influenza activity. They are: Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, South Caroline and Virginia.
• Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.

False charges are easy to make but difficult to refute unless you go directly to the source of the charges and ask specifically what was the error made. The World Health Organization (WH0) has spoken to the Council of Europe (CE) and denied the charges though it's hard to disprove an unfounded accusation. (VIEW) The results are World Health Organization needs to be more transparent in its operation.