In the (Possible) Wake of Pandemic H1N1: The Latest CDC Numbers
The CDC provides the latest tally for pandemic H1N1 in the United States, from April 2009 through January 16, 2010:
Cases: 57 million; range, 41-84 million. Most cases were among 18-64-year-olds (58%) and children (33%).
Hospitalizations: 257,000; range, 183,000-378,000 (calculated mid-level hospitalization rate, 0.45%). Most hospitalizations were for 18-64-year-olds (58%) and children (32%).
Deaths: 11,690; range, 8330-17,160 (calculated mid-level death rate, 0.02%). Most deaths affected 18-64-year-olds (77%).
Although H1N1 activity has been relatively low during the last 5 weeks of assessment (from mid-December to mid-January), the CDC isn't ready to call the pandemic over.
[T]here are still uncertainties surrounding the rest of this flu season, including the possibility of increases in circulation of seasonal influenza viruses and increases in circulation of 2009 H1N1 viruses. In past pandemics, flu activity has occurred in waves and it’s possible that the United States could experience another wave of flu activity.
The CDC continues to urge vaccination against pandemic influenza and reports that supplies are abundant for all eligible comers—including the elderly. A recent interim report of vaccination coverage indicates that nearly 90% of nonelderly adults with medical conditions (an original at-risk target group) remain unvaccinated.
Depiction of H1N1 virus from Wikipedia.
