"The level of activity we're seeing for this time of year is really unusual," said Tom Skinner, a spokesman for the CDC. "We just really don't see the level of activity we're seeing." The high number of cases, however, is not a predictor of how severe this flu season will be, he said. "Flu is unpredictable, and unfortunately we can't say one way or the other that what we are seeing now is a harbinger of what's to come," Skinner said.
According to the CDC's latest report there are widespread cases coming from every area of the country, and more to come as the spreading virus continues to be passed from person to person.
Joy Alexiou, a public information officer for the Santa Clara Public Health Department in San Jose (CA) said that there have been 9 deaths and 159 hospitalizations relating to the swine flu.
"Last week, our board of supervisors declared a local state of emergency," Alexiou said. The action allows additional local money to funnel toward containing H1N1.
"In September, we're already seeing greater rates of influenza than we've seen in November and December in previous years. Certainly our hope is that it will peak sooner and dip sooner,"
The CDC's Skinner said there was no indication that the H1N1 virus has hit its peak, and no predictions were offered up to estimate the total impact. A total of 600,000 doses of nasal FluMist were being shipped this week, and 250 million will be used throughout the season (in both mist and injection formats).
The doctors across the country are bracing for impact, as hoards of people are expected to rush for the vaccines, but everyone is still unsure just how successful the treatment will be. Everyone is hoping for the best and praying that the virus does not mutate into another more dangerous form.
Thousands of doctors, hospitals, clinics and health departments across the USA have reregistered to receive the vaccine. Some states are asking their residents to be patient, everyone will be taken care of they say.
"We've been told that we'll have about 15 million doses for Texas after all is said and done, but it won't be available all at once," David Lakey, commissioner of the Department of State Health Services, said in a press statement. Will it be too late to get the vaccine if your doctor's office doesn't receive supplies for weeks to come?
"I don't think so, It's coming out at the right time." The flu season will be several months long; the first release is here on time.
Contact your local doctor's office for details, if possible we recommend making an appointment to visit promptly, demand for the vaccines is very high and as more people come into contact with the flu more people will need to be immunized. In the end it is most important to stay calm, keep your hands clean, boost your immune system and health, and to avoid crowded places (at least until the pandemic slows its pace).
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