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Breaking update May 10, 2009 - swine flu continues rapid spread, mainland China reports first case
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The H1N1 virus continues to spread rapidly around the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) now reports 4,700 confirmed cases in 30 countries. New estimates say there have been between 6,000 and 32,000 cases in Mexico alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently reports 2,618 confirmed cases in the U.S.
In its present form, the virus causes only mild symptoms for most people, and nearly all of those who become seriously ill can recover if they get treatment within 48 hours.
Antivirals, like Tamiflu, may be effective against the swine flu if taken early on – when symptoms first appear. Antivirals can be expensive, though – one course of Tamiflu, two tablets a day for five days, can sell for as much as $100.
WHO currently has a stockpile of about 5 million Tamiflu treatment courses donated by Roche, the Swiss drug maker. Earlier this week, WHO began sending 2.4 million treatments to 72 poor countries. Hundreds of millions of people in developing countries would be vulnerable in a flu pandemic.
Meanwhile, a 30-year old Chinese man became the first suspected case of swine flu in mainland China. He had returned from studying in the U.S., but officials did not specify where. The Chinese earlier reported a case of swine flu diagnosed in a 25-year-old Mexican who flew to the Chinese territory of Hong Kong.
The following countries have reported confirmed cases - Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Brazil (8), China (2, comprising 1 in China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and 1 in mainland China), Colombia (3), Denmark (1), El Salvador (4), France (13), Germany (11), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (4), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (7), Norway (2), Panama (15), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (95), Sweden (2), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (47).
WHO warns that a possible swine flu pandemic could infect 2 billion people. Drug makers say they might be able to produce 917 million doses in 10 months. The first vaccines won't be ready for months – too late for the Southern Hemisphere where flu season is about to start. If the virus mutates by mixing with other viruses, it could become more contagious or deadly – in which the vaccines may not provide much protection at all.
Follow me on Twitter: @kellyskelly
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