2010-02-18

Pandemic Waning


The H1N1 Pandemic May not be Coming Back


The World Health Organization announced recently that 
the incidence of H1N1 infection in the world continues to decline, with
no early indicators of a spring return of the infection.

As we all know, Cleveland, Ohio had a very widespread

epidemic of H1N1 disease in the fall of 2009, but recently
H1N1 infections have dropped to nearly zero.


If it does not return this spring, that would end a year of 
intense attention on H1N1, an end that I welcome.
It will be nice not to have to worry about it anymore.


Further, if the H1N1 infection does not recur until next fall, 
the management of the risk of such infection will be far easier,
since H1N1 will be part of the flu vaccine for 2010-2011.


The other news was that the H1N1 pandemic was mild.
It caused as many flu infections as seasonal flu, but only
half the fatalities.  


It is too early to pronounce the threat from H1N1 virus completely
over, but we can say that the threat is clearly smaller, and fading
rapidly.


Dr. Arthur Lavin
*Disclaimer*
The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.

No comments:

Post a Comment