Update Monday 5/4/2009

The number of flu cases in Milwaukee is rising. At the time of writing, there have been 2 confirmed cases, and 70 probable cases, and it appears that the virus is infecting younger (school-age and young adult) people. As a result, several schools have been closed:

• Hamilton High School,
  
• Riverside University High School,
  
• Curtin,
  
• El Puente,
  
• Hayes, Alcott, Forest Home,
  
• Lincoln Avenue,
  
• Kosciuszko,
  
• ALAS,
  
• Wedgewood Park,
  
• MLLI, Honey Creek,
  
• Allen-Field,
  
• Clement,
  
• Mitchell and
  
• Rogers Street Academy.

The good news is that the H1N1 virus does not appear to be a virulent (strong) as previously feared. None of the cases in Milwaukee has been associated with death. In fact, at the time of writing, there has still only been death in the US, and further review of the Mexican cases suggest that the initial numbers of deaths was probably inflated.

For more up to date information, please see the following links:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• State of Wisconsin Pandemic Flu Resource
  
• City of Milwaukee Health Department
  

H1N1 "Swine" Flu

There has been much concern about the recent Swine Flu outbreak. The purpose of this website is to give up to date information on what is going on in regards to Swine Flu.

Why all the concern about Pandemic Flu?

• Well, few of us are old enough to remember the Influenza epidemic from September 1917 through June 1918 (also known as the Spanish Flu), which killed 675,000 Americans (a number far greater than the total number of Americans who died in World War I, World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam Wars COMBINED). With few exceptions, "the Flu" has become an inconvenience for most people, causing us to miss work or school for a few days. Even so, the CDC estimates that about 36,000 Americans die of regular seasonal Flu related illness every year. This present flu is of the H1N1 type, the same as the Spanish flu.
  

• We are protected from developing life-threatening Flu infections every year because our immune system is already partial immunized against Influenza, from previous exposure. However, every now and then, a rogue virus, such as influenza, mutates, and acquires the ability to infect human beings as well as their natural host (e.g. pigs [swine] or birds [avia]). And when this happens NO ONE has immunity to this new virus.

What is Swine Flu?

• Swine Flu, now officially being referred to H1N1, is a mutant influenza (Flu) virus. One of the things which helps to defend people against a dangerous, germ infested world is the fact that animal infections, generally, tend keep to their specific species, and human specific viruses stick to humans. This means pig viruses infect only other pigs, and human viruses infect only humans. What appears to have happened is that an Influenza virus that previously infected only pigs, mutated, and now has the ability to infect human beings. Influenza is generally highly contagious. Typically flu viruses spread from one person to another via respiratory droplets (a sneeze or cough), or more likely, though touching an infected object such as a hand or doorknob, and then your own nose, mouth, or eyes. That being the case, people get infected from other infected people, not from touching or eating infected pork.

• One difference with this type of Flu from the ones we normally see from year to year, is that this Flu seems to attack young healthy people, not just the very young, very old, and the sick. It is also striking that this infection is appearing later than the normal Flu season. This infection is often referred to a "pandemic" because it has the potential to spread across the whole world, but it is important to note that at this time the numbers of deaths are small; FAR smaller that those seen in a normal flu season, so there is no need for panic.

How do I know if I have H1N1 Flu?

• Symptoms of influenza include a sudden onset respiratory infection, with a fever (greater than 100.5 degrees F), and severe body aches and/or headache. You might also have a cough, sore throat, or diarrhea/vomiting. If you develop theses symptoms, contact your health care provider by telephone. Sometimes it is better for someone to screen your symptoms over the phone rather than come in and infect an entire waiting room. Your provider will probably want to get a viral culture at this early stage to confirm the presence of Swine Flu. Your provider might also want to prescibe a medication called Tamiflu, or Relenza. If you are sick, stay home from work or school.

How I protect myself from the Flu?

• First, and most importantly, wash your hands frequently. You might want to invest in a portable hand gel sanitizer.
  
• Avoid rubbing your eyes or nose.
  
• Also, keep away from sick individuals.
  
• Wearing face masks is probably over-kill unless you are in close contact with someone infected. It has also been suggested that masks potentially trap and collect the virus, causing you to inadvertently carry it around with you.