The purpose of this thread is to help track the spread across the Country and it's affects on the Population.
This strain called A-Fujian-H3N2 has hit early and hard and is different from the Flu shot that was administered since September which is called A-Panama-H3N2. Donna and I did get that shot.
It's Morbid to do a death count especially since this strain is mainly affecting the young immune system of children.
Approaching 7,000 cases in Colorado concentrated in Denver suburbs.
Nearing 400 cases in North Dakota already when they had a total of two reported cases last year.
Texas was the first state this season where the flu was considered widespread, the CDC's most severe ranking. Nine other states ? Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas, Tennessee and Pennsylvania ? have since been classified as having widespread flu outbreaks.
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12-19-2003 CDC Activates Emergency Operations Center To Deal with FLU
At least 36 states have been labeled by the agency as having widespread flu activity, the nation's highest outbreak level for influenza, and no state has been untouched by the virus.
12-11-2003 24 States hit hard, Ohio closes Schools
ATLANTA - Federal officials said Thursday that the flu has hit hard in 24 states, nearly doubling the number since last week and including almost the entire Western half of the country.
As far east as Ohio, several schools closed for the rest of the week because so many students are absent with the flu.
At Madison Junior High School in Mansfield, 250 of 900 students were out sick Wednesday, principal Timothy Rupert said. "We've never closed down for flu," said Rupert, who has worked at the school about 60 miles north of Columbus for 23 years.
Anecdotally, this flu season seems to be worse for children, and the CDC said it plans to closely watch flu complications among them. Flu and its complications are the sixth leading cause of death nationally among children age 4 and younger, according to the CDC.
12-8-2003 For those looking to still get a Flu shot and you are healthy, the experts are suggesting you take the Flu Mist Vaccine.
Please leave the supply of the shots for those very young and elderly as the Nasal Spray is not recommended for them.
I would've gladly taken a spray shot instead.
However BBD explained the Flu Mist/Age situation much better than I so here is his explanation:
Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc
FluMist is likely fine for people younger than 5 and older than 50, but like the vast majority of prescription medications . . . FluMist was not tested in those populations by the manufacturer. There's no substantive difference between a 50 month old child and a 60 month old child. Rationing is not a solution. If you are susceptible (which is essentially everyone) you should be vaccinated ASAP by whatever means are available. Children under 5 and adults over 50 that have not been vaccinated clearly lack informed parents or competent healthcare.
I repeat. FluMist is not recommended for these populations but then again . . . MOST medications are not recommended for these populations b/c they lack FDA-approved indications.
12-5-2003 David Bowie, Hit by Flu, Postpones U.S. Shows
David Bowie's first full North American tour in eight years has got off to a bumpy start, with the British rocker forced to postpone the two opening shows after being confined to bed by influenza, his publicist said on Friday.
They've run out of the Flu Vacine. I don't see such a big deal in that since it was the WRONG strain Vacine anyway.
12-5-2003Flu Shot Makers Run Out of Vaccine
The companies, Chrion and Aventis Pasteur, together made about 80 million doses of the injected vaccine, which ordinarily would be enough to take care of U.S. demand.
"Because of the recent outbreak, we've seen an unprecedented surge of vaccine orders late in the season," said Len Lavenda, an Aventis spokesman. "As a result, we have now shipped all our available supplies."
The companies said they cannot make more vaccine this year, because the process takes four months. By that time, the flu season would be over.
12-5-2003 First Cases of Flu Confirmed in Boston
The state Department of Public Health said Thursday that a 36-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man in the western part of the state have contracted influenza. Officials said both are recuperating at home.
This strain called A-Fujian-H3N2 has hit early and hard and is different from the Flu shot that was administered since September which is called A-Panama-H3N2. Donna and I did get that shot.
It's Morbid to do a death count especially since this strain is mainly affecting the young immune system of children.
Approaching 7,000 cases in Colorado concentrated in Denver suburbs.
Nearing 400 cases in North Dakota already when they had a total of two reported cases last year.
Texas was the first state this season where the flu was considered widespread, the CDC's most severe ranking. Nine other states ? Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas, Tennessee and Pennsylvania ? have since been classified as having widespread flu outbreaks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12-19-2003 CDC Activates Emergency Operations Center To Deal with FLU
At least 36 states have been labeled by the agency as having widespread flu activity, the nation's highest outbreak level for influenza, and no state has been untouched by the virus.
12-11-2003 24 States hit hard, Ohio closes Schools
ATLANTA - Federal officials said Thursday that the flu has hit hard in 24 states, nearly doubling the number since last week and including almost the entire Western half of the country.
As far east as Ohio, several schools closed for the rest of the week because so many students are absent with the flu.
At Madison Junior High School in Mansfield, 250 of 900 students were out sick Wednesday, principal Timothy Rupert said. "We've never closed down for flu," said Rupert, who has worked at the school about 60 miles north of Columbus for 23 years.
Anecdotally, this flu season seems to be worse for children, and the CDC said it plans to closely watch flu complications among them. Flu and its complications are the sixth leading cause of death nationally among children age 4 and younger, according to the CDC.
12-8-2003 For those looking to still get a Flu shot and you are healthy, the experts are suggesting you take the Flu Mist Vaccine.
Please leave the supply of the shots for those very young and elderly as the Nasal Spray is not recommended for them.
I would've gladly taken a spray shot instead.
However BBD explained the Flu Mist/Age situation much better than I so here is his explanation:
Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc
FluMist is likely fine for people younger than 5 and older than 50, but like the vast majority of prescription medications . . . FluMist was not tested in those populations by the manufacturer. There's no substantive difference between a 50 month old child and a 60 month old child. Rationing is not a solution. If you are susceptible (which is essentially everyone) you should be vaccinated ASAP by whatever means are available. Children under 5 and adults over 50 that have not been vaccinated clearly lack informed parents or competent healthcare.
I repeat. FluMist is not recommended for these populations but then again . . . MOST medications are not recommended for these populations b/c they lack FDA-approved indications.
12-5-2003 David Bowie, Hit by Flu, Postpones U.S. Shows
David Bowie's first full North American tour in eight years has got off to a bumpy start, with the British rocker forced to postpone the two opening shows after being confined to bed by influenza, his publicist said on Friday.
They've run out of the Flu Vacine. I don't see such a big deal in that since it was the WRONG strain Vacine anyway.
12-5-2003Flu Shot Makers Run Out of Vaccine
The companies, Chrion and Aventis Pasteur, together made about 80 million doses of the injected vaccine, which ordinarily would be enough to take care of U.S. demand.
"Because of the recent outbreak, we've seen an unprecedented surge of vaccine orders late in the season," said Len Lavenda, an Aventis spokesman. "As a result, we have now shipped all our available supplies."
The companies said they cannot make more vaccine this year, because the process takes four months. By that time, the flu season would be over.
12-5-2003 First Cases of Flu Confirmed in Boston
The state Department of Public Health said Thursday that a 36-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man in the western part of the state have contracted influenza. Officials said both are recuperating at home.
Nothing like being miserable 
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