First American Dies of Swine Flu in Texas

A 33-year-old Texas teacher who recently gave birth has died of the Swine flu (influenza A (H1N1) according to the New York Times. She also already had a pre-existing medical condition. She had been hospitalized with the flu since April 19^th. The baby is in good health. No other family member has contracted the Swine flu.

The teacher resided in Harlingen, Texas, in Cameron County, close to the border of Mexico. According to the Houston Chronicle she was a teacher in the Mercedes Independent School district. Schools in this district will be closed from Wednesday to May 11^th.

In America, New York state has 90 confirmed cases of Swine flu, the largest tally of any state. MSNBC reports that "more than 500 swine flu cases have been confirmed in 40 states." The states with the highest numbers of confirmed Swine flu cases are: New York, Illinois, California, Texas, Delaware, Arizona, South Carolina, and Oregon, according to the Washington Post.

Prior to this new death from Swine flu, a toddler from Mexico also died while in a hospital in Houston according to the Washington Post.

Mexico has now had 866 cases of Swine flu and 26 deaths according to the New York Times. Mexico is now starting to make plans to reopen schools and businesses. University and high school students start classes again tomorrow and children under age 15 commence classes again on May 11^th.

The World Health Organization reports 1,490 cases of Swine flu in 21 countries. Countries other than Mexico and America that have the highest numbers of confirmed cases of Swine flu include Canada, Spain, and Britain according to the Washington Post.

Only Mexico and the United States have confirmed deaths from this disease.

According to the New York Times, Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said "Closing schools is not effective in halting the

spread of the virus." MSNBC notes that Dr. Besser stated "Children with flu-like symptoms should stay home for seven days."

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/health/06flu.html?ref=global=home

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30398682/

http://www.washingtonpost.com

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6409074.html