CDC Study: 500,000 in NYC Could Have Swine Flu Already

June 28, 2009 (LPAC)— Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, reported that new research estimates that as many as half a million citizens of New York City may been infected with the H1N1 swine flu. Dr. Schuchat reported on a recent CDC study that found that 6.9% of city residents had flu-like illness during a three-week period in May; based on virologic testing, the researchers, "knew that most of the influenza-like illness was based on the new H1N1 strain." What is significant in this, is the continuing spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, in Argentina, the head of the National Agricultural Health and Quality Service, Jogre Amaya, reported that at several pig farms close to the country's capital, Buenos Aires, that the new H1N1 swine flu virus has been found in approximately one-quarter of the pigs. He stressed that "veterinarians are very worried because humans are infecting the animals." The danger shown is that the H1N1 virus could could recombine in the pigs, which is natural, and emerge as a more deadly strain. In Thailand, health officials announced the country's first two swine-flu related deaths.