June 11, 2009: H1N1 Swine Flu Update

"Swine flu, or H1N1 influenza, has reached the pandemic level, the World Health Organization warned Thursday - marking the first time it has called a global flu epidemic in 41 years."

As explained within this article, the swine flu is continuing across the globe, unstoppable in its lethality. With a first-time call to a level 6 by the World Health organization in 41 years, vaccine manufacturers have been quick to begin the necessary procedures in completing a swine flu vaccine as soon as possible. It has been previously stated that the time to produce a vaccine would not be quick enough to stop the spread of the virus.

North America and Australia seem to have a very high number of infected cases, with Australia at 1,224 by late Wednesday, and also,

"As of Wednesday, 2,978 laboratory-confirmed cases of H1N1 flu virus have been reported in all provinces and territories except Newfoundland and Labrador, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. There have been four deaths and 131 hospitalizations related to swine flu in the country."

With so many regions being infected in the year of 2009, it seems as if the only thing for people to do is to remain aware of preventive cures, and stay clean. Wearing protective masks and clothing, as well as washing and drinking fluids, may lower the risk of contracting H1N1 virus. In California alone, there have been 973 cases of swine flu, with 2217 cases in Wisconsin and 1670 cases in Texas.

The United States has already declared this a public health emergency. Please look here to obtain a video on the symptoms of swine flu and warning signs to look for that indicate the need for urgent medical attention: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wK1127fHQ4&feature=channel_page.