2009 H1N1 flu outbreak

2009 H1N1 flu outbreak

Main article: 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak

In March and April 2009, more than 1,000 cases of swine flu in humans were detected in Mexico, and more than 80 deaths are suspected to have a connection with the virus. As of April 25, 2009 19:30 EDT there are 11 laboratory confirmed cases in the southwestern United States and in Kansas ^[20] , and several suspected cases in the New York City metropolitan area. Following a series of reports of isolated cases of swine flu,^[21][22] the first announcement of the outbreak in Mexico was documented on April 23, 2009. Some of the cases have been confirmed by the World Health Organization to be due to a new genetic strain of H1N1.^[23][24] The new strain has been confirmed in 16 of the deaths and 44 others are being tested as of April 24, 2009.^[25] The Mexican fatalities are said to be mainly young adults, a hallmark of pandemic flu.^[26]

At 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, the New Zealand Minister of Health confirmed that 22 students returning from a school trip from Mexico had flu like symptoms (most likely swine flu). 13 of the students with flu like symptoms were tested and 10 tested positive for Influenza A, their cases strongly suspected to be the swine flu strain. However there is a possibility that the infected are not infected with the swine flu but other forms of the flu. The government has suggested that citizens of New Zealand with flu-like symptoms should see their G.P. immediately.

There have been five cases of possible swine flu in Canada, according to the Canadian Press. Two in British Columbia, and three in Nova Scotia.

The new strain appears to be a recombinant between two older strains. Preliminary genetic characterization found that the hemagglutinin (HA) gene was similar to that of swine flu viruses present in U.S. pigs since 1999, but the neuraminidase (NA) and matrix protein (M) genes resembled versions present in European swine flu isolates. Viruses with this genetic makeup had not previously been found to be circulating in humans or pigs, but there is no formal national surveillance system to determine what viruses are circulating in pigs in the U.S.^[27]