Quick facts:

*October 16, update on the H1N1 Flu Situation*

Listen to the update.

• During the week of October 4-10, 2009, influenza activity continued to increase in the United States as reported in FluView.
• Flu activity is now widespread in 41 states.
• Nationwide, visits to doctors for influenza-like-illness continued to increase and are now about equal to or higher than what is seen at the peak of many regular flu seasons.
• Flu-related hospitalizations and deaths are continuing to go up and are above what is expected for this time of year.
• View images of the H1N1 flu virus.
• The Agriculture Department’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), Ames, IA, has confirmed the presence of 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in a pig sample collected at the Minnesota State Fair submitted by the University of Minnesota. Additional samples are being tested. However, there is no scientific basis to restrict trade in pork and pork products,” says Vilsack. “People cannot get this flu from eating pork or pork products. Pork is safe to eat.”

*General Vaccination Info*

• This season, 2009 H1N1 vaccines are being made to protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called “swine flu”)
• There are two kinds of 2009 H1N1 vaccines being produced: a 2009 H1N1 "flu shot"  that is given with a needle, usually in the arm; and the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine  given via a nasal sprayer.
• A flu vaccine is the single best way to protect against influenza illness.

*August 24th update on the H1N1 Flu Situation*

• The swine flu outbreak is an inappropraite name because hogs are not the source.
• An outbreak of a hybrid form of swine influenza has not affected the safety of pork, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta.
• More than 1,300 people in Mexico have contracted the same flu type, which is a hybrid of avian, swine and human flu viruses.
• President Barack Obama says that the threat of swine flu spreading is a cause for concern but “not a cause for alarm” as the United States works to closely monitor borders to contain it.