About 57 million people, or nearly 1 in 5 Americans, likely had H1N1 influenza, or swine flu, between April 2009 and January 2010, the federal Centers for Disease Control said last week. Flu cases are in a bit of a lull right now, the CDC says on its website. But most cases seen continue to be the H1N1 variety.
About 11,700 deaths are suspected to be attributable to H1N1, the CDC. That’s fewer than than the 35,000 who die from flu in a typical year, the Los Angeles Times reported. But since swine flu tends to affect a younger population than a normal flu season, deaths among younger people have been higher than usual.
About 246,000 people required hospitalization.
The figures came as part of a new effort by the CDC to quantify the effects of the swine flu over the past year. It’s a daunting task, CDC officials explained.
“Estimating the number of individual flu cases in the United States is very challenging because many people with flu don’t seek medical care and only a small number of those that do seek care are tested. More people who are hospitalized or die of flu-related causes are tested and reported, but under-reporting of hospitalizations and deaths occurs as well,” the CDC said on its website.
The agency said it uses statistical modeling to draw up its estimates.
FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE
Many doctors offices and public health departments are continuing to offer vaccinations against H1N1 as well as typical seasonal flu. And authorities still recommend vaccination, since cases of the flu are likely to continue to rise and fall.
Mecklenburg County Health Department offers swine flu shots for anyone. You can make an appointment by call 704-432-5100. More information online at charmeck.org.
– David Boraks
RELATED LINKS
The CDC published an update on the H1N1 flu situation on its website last week.
Feb. 13, 2010, Los Angeles Times, “Number of swine flu cases in the U.S. reaches 57 million.”
Feb. 13, 2010, Washington Post, “Almost 1 in 5 Americans had swine flu; death rate over 11,000″
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