H1N1 'swine' flu has infected an estimated 1 million in U.S.

I have not heard this large number anywhere else. I'm surprised that a large mainstream newspaper would report such a large number and frighten the people. It's going to be a very unusual cold and flu season this winter.-Lou

H1N1 'swine' flu has infected an estimated 1 million in U.S.

The virus is also spreading rapidly through the Southern Hemisphere. A French company announces large-scale production of a vaccine.

By Thomas H. Maugh II 3:54 PM PDT, June 25, 2009

At least 1 million Americans have now contracted the novel H1N1 influenza, according to mathematical models prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while data from the field indicates that the virus is continuing to spread even though the normal flu season is over and that an increasing proportion of victims are being hospitalized.Meanwhile, the virus is continuing its rapid spread through the Southern Hemisphere, infecting increasing numbers of people and at least one pig.

Nearly 28,000 laboratory-confirmed U.S. cases of the virus, also known as swine flu, have been reported to the CDC, almost half of the more than 56,000 cases globally reported to the World Health Organization.But Lyn Finelli, a flu surveillance official with CDC, told a vaccine advisory committee meeting in Atlanta today that standard models of viral spread indicate that many times that number have been infected. Although 1 million seems like a high number, between 15 million and 60 million Americans are infected by the influenza virus during a normal flu season.At least 3,065 of those infected in this country have been hospitalized and 127 have died.

The very young are most likely to be infected, Finelli said, but older patients seem to suffer more. The average age of swine flu victims is 12, the average age of hospitalized patients is 20 and the average age of those who have died is 37, she said.

The normal seasonal flu virus has virtually disappeared from this country, as would be expected. But the novel H1N1 virus is continuing to spread, and now accounts for 98% of all cases."So far, it doesn't look like transmission is declining at all," Finelli said.The spread is highest in New England and the Northeast, and it is beginning to take its toll. Dr. Andrew Doniger, director of public health for Monroe County, N.Y., which includes the city of Rochester, said hospitals, emergency rooms and laboratories in the county are being overwhelmed by "very high volumes" of patients. He called on those who have mild symptoms to self-medicate at home.

MORE