What this AP article fails to mention is even if you do manage to get a flu shot, you won't be protected against the Fujian strain that is striking 2/3's of patients.
ATLANTA (AP) - 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.Every week the of two 747's full of people across the United States die from influenza.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the flu has hit all 50 states at least sporadically, and the season has not yet peaked nationally.
The early and intense outbreak in some Western states has swamped many hospitals with sick children and dried up vaccine supplies.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.
The worst part is that scientists knew this strain was coming. It's very likely that this Fujian strain of influenza will be kill many more people than SARS did, even if it's mortality rates are very low as a percentage of overall cases. NewsMax has a story on the controversy about the existing vacine.
If you need me I'll be at out stocking up on surgical face masks.
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Comments (2)
I don't know the link but i... (Below threshold)1. Posted by shelli | December 11, 2003 5:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I don't know the link but its out there.. Dan Rather interviewed someone about this years flu -the person speaking expects 50-70 thousand people will die from it. I will try to find the broadcast again to give it.
1. Posted by shelli | December 11, 2003 5:11 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 11, 2003 17:11
2. Posted by Ghost of a flea | December 12, 2003 10:55 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The A/Fujian/411/2002-like virus was only detected shortly before the composition of the Northern Hemisphere vaccine was decided. No vaccine could be produced in time to thwart A-Fugian so it was decided to include the available vaccine for the closely related A-Panama strain. It is hoped immunization against A-Panama will provide partial protection against A-Fujian.
2. Posted by Ghost of a flea | December 12, 2003 10:55 AM |
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Posted on December 12, 2003 10:55