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The  (6/12, A5, Esterl, subscription required) reports, “The World Health Organization declared the first flu pandemic in 41 years, even as it stressed there are no signs the H1N1 virus has turned more lethal as it spreads across the globe.” The declaration “requires countries not yet exposed to the new influenza strain to roll out pandemic-prevention plans and step up monitoring efforts. It also will likely accelerate efforts to develop a vaccine, expected to take several months.” Although Dr. Margaret Chan, the director-general of the WHO, said the “overwhelming majority” of those diagnosed with H1N1 have “experienced mild symptoms and recovered quickly without medical treatment,” she also “warned that the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, is likely to continue to spread and that it could turn more virulent or affect populations differently.”

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The AP (5/22, Neergaard) reported, “Inching closer to a swine flu vaccine, the government is beginning to analyze two candidates for the key ingredient to brew one. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hopes to deliver one or both to vaccine manufacturers by the end of next week so scientists can begin the months-long process of producing shots.” The US “set aside $1 billion for crucial testing of the first pilot doses and stockpiling of key vaccine ingredients” on Friday. CDC scientists also “unveiled the most detailed genetic examination yet of the novel virus, finding that the new swine flu may have been circulating undetected in pigs for years.”
According to the Los Angeles Times (5/23, Kaplan), “an analysis of more than 50 strains of the H1N1 influenza virus at the center of the global outbreak has concluded that they are closely related and can be fought with a single vaccine.” The findings “could boost the likelihood that the US will move forward with an H1N1 vaccine that would be offered separately from the seasonal flu vaccine.” Sanofi Pasteur announces $190 million swine flu vaccine contract with US. For more click here.

Many families are concerned about the Swine Flu (AKA H1N1 Flu).  The CDC has many resources that are available to provide you the information needed to prepare what needs to be done and not worry.

What is Swine Influenza?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930. 

Link

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/key_facts.htm

By ELIANE ENGELER and MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press Writers Eliane Engeler And Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Writers   – Sun May 17, 3:43 pm ET

GENEVA – Health experts are looking very closely at the spread of swine flu among people in Spain, Britain and Japan, a WHO official said Sunday as Japan reported a one-day explosion of over 70 new cases, mostly among teenagers.

The swine flu epidemic is already expected to dominate the World Health Organization’s annual meeting, a five-day event that begins Monday in Geneva and involves health officials from the agency’s 193 member states.

WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan will reveal experts’ recommendations on the production of a swine flu vaccine sometime at the meeting. Pharmaceutical companies are ready to begin production, but many decisions have to be made first — such as how much vaccine to make, how it should be distributed and who should get it.

Some experts say there’s no question that a swine flu vaccine must be produced but WHO needs to discuss the issue with its members.

As of Sunday, the swine flu virus — which WHO calls the A (H1N1) virus — has sickened at least 8,480 people in 40 countries, killing 75 of them, mostly in Mexico.

Go to link for full article http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090517/ap_on_he_me/med_swine_flu