What Is the Pandemic Situation Now?

• 50 million people, 1 in 6 residents, have contracted H1N1 between April and November 14, 2009.
  
• More than 200,000 have been hospitalized.
• As reported, nearly 10,000 patients have died—the great majority being younger adults (7,500), who are classified as “under 50.”
  
• These actual counts are higher than the CDC’s estimate issued November 12, 2009. CDC’s projection for this period was that there would be 22 million cases.
  
• There has been a sharp increase in cases since last month.
• There are 85 million doses of the vaccine. In many places, anyone who wishes to can have the vaccine. Previously, there was a priority list so that the highest risk populations could be protected first.
• H1N1 remains the dominant influenza strain but—-and this is new—-some cases are caused by the seasonal flu. This year, that is a B strain of influenza and that strain is included in the 2009 flu vaccine.
  
• The official flu season begins in December and ends in May.
  
• It is impossible to predict whether the pandemic flu will have a “third wave” or will wane.
  
• It is impossible to know if seasonal flu cases will increase.

Medpage Today

Source: Medpage Today, December 11, 2009, citing CDC statement.