Pandemic scope and severity of novel influenza A/H1N1 (Swine Flu)

Julian Palmore focuses on the rise in novel influenza cases globally in a four-week period from April 26 to May 23, 2009. The World Health Organization reported that the number of cases of a new and novel influenza infections increased from 38 cases confirmed in two countries, namely the US and Mexico. There were 12,022 confirmed cases in 43 countries with 86 deaths. The scope of infection is significant as evidenced from the rapid increase in the number of countries in which infection has been identified. Rise from 11 to 43 in several weeks clearly confirm that it was the result of the rapid transportation of infected people traveling by civil aircraft. While avian influenza has infected a total of 423 individuals worldwide since 2003, a new and novel strain of influenza was identified as circulating in several areas within Mexico, principally in Mexico City, San Luis Potosi, and Mexicali.