ATLANTA, Apr 29, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- The number of confirmed U.S. swine
flu cases rose to 91, with one death, the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta
reported at midday Wednesday.
New York City had more than half of the confirmed cases, 51, with Texas's 16
confirmed cases with one death and California's 14 confirmed cases a distant
second and third, respectively.
The first confirmed U.S. fatality from swine flu was announced Wednesday. Health
officials said a 23-month-old child who traveled to Texas from Mexico, died
Monday from swine flu.
"The more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest a pattern of more
severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S.," the CDC
said on its Web site. "Most people will not have immunity to this new virus and,
as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths are
expected in the coming days and weeks."
President Barack Obama said in Washington public health officials have
recommended schools with confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu should
consider temporarily closing their facilities "to be as safe as possible."
A Chicago-area elementary school was closed Wednesday after a student contracted
a suspected case of swine flu, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Ron Huberman said attendance
rates at Kilmer Elementary School in Rogers Park had an higher-than-normal rate
of absenteeism. School officials were investigating whether any of the students
absent Tuesday may have contracted the virus.
Classes were canceled for a week at a San Jose, Calif., high school after a
student tested positive for swine flu, the San Jose Mercury News reported.
Contra Costa County, Calif., health officials closed a Pittsburgh elementary
school for a week beginning Wednesday, after tests indicated three probable
cases.
A U.S. Marine based in Southern California's Twentynine Palms Marine Base has
been tested to see if he has swine flu, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
The Marine and his roommate were quarantined on base while awaiting the results,
CNN reported. Base officials said at least 35 Marines reportedly came in contact
with the ill Marine, and all have been tested and given the antiviral Tamiflu.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said his administration has "responded
vigorously by deploying resources and preparing for the additional cases of
swine flu that we are now seeing."
"We are already taking the steps that are appropriate for a Level 5 pandemic
alert," Schwarzenegger said. "As our medical community has ramped up its
monitoring of the virus, we expected to see more cases, and Californians should
rest assured that we are prepared for this increase and also for the likelihood
that we may see more severe cases."
The Ohio State University newspaper, The Lantern, reported an employee at the
OSU Medical Center was diagnosed as a probable case.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon reported the virus appeared to have reached his state
with initial tests indicating one Platte County resident likely has it.
URL: www.upi.com
Copyright 2009 by United Press International