Officials say they are seeing an increase in the number of case of a new strain of swine flu surfacing at county and state fairs in the Midwest.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control confirmed 29 infections of the H3N2v in four states. This week, that number has jumped to 152 confirmed cases.
The CDC says it's seeing a big jump in infections partly because state have started testing and confirming their own flu cases. Also, a lot of people are going to agricultural fairs and being exposed to pigs.
Health officials say that's how they're getting sick.
The CDC says about 90 percent of the confirmed cases of the swine flu are children and they believe almost all of them were infected by sick pigs at state or county fairs.
In Indiana, health officials are confirming 120 cases, Ohio has 30 while Illinois has one lab-confirmed case.
Hawaii also has one -- a pig farmer, who was the first case reported in July.
So far, a handful of Americans have been hospitals with flu complications.
Children may be more susceptible to the HH3N2v flu because their immune systems haven't been exposed to similar strains of flu.
The CDC says right now the virus appears to be jumping from pigs to people, but not from human to human.
But it has the potential -- because this particular strain has picked up a gene from the 2009 pandemic flu -- that could allow it to spread more easily from one person to another.
The CDC is urging to get their seasonal flu vaccinations, but this year's vaccine will not protect against the H3N2v flu.
The best bet is to take precautions: * wash your hands after being around pigs. * don't eat or drink in animal areas. * avoid swine that appear ill * older people, young children and people with health conditions may want to steer clear of pigs until this threat passes.
The H3N2v flu acts much like seasonal flu, so you may feel body aches, fever, cough and sore throat.
If you develop these symptoms after being around pigs, tell your doctor, because an anti-viral medication may help you fight off an infection.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:28 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:28:40 GMT
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-17 03:00:47 GMT
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
Thursday, May 16 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:02:20 GMT
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs.
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs. It was 29-year-old John Kremer's job to find those hidden bombs, and safely destroy them. That's what the Buford man was trying to do, when one of them exploded right under his feet.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-15 22:42:54 GMT
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:48 AM EDT2013-05-14 11:48:46 GMT
There are more than 31 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D. And according to a recent survey, more than a third are worried about prescription drug costs.
There are more than 31 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D. And according to a recent survey, more than a third are worried about prescription drug costs.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:08:35 GMT
It was a risky delivery: a young mother who'd lost one baby at birth was delivering her second child by C-section.
It was a risky delivery: a young mother who'd lost one baby at birth was delivering her second child by C-section. She was surrounded by more than a dozen specialists and nurses. But this high stakes birth wasn't in a hospital operating room. It was at Zoo Atlanta.
1551 Briarcliff Rd., NE Atlanta, GA 30306
Main Number: (404) 875-5555 News Tips: (404) 898-0100
