As we get closer to the inevitable fall upturn in H1N1 infections in North America, here are some eye-opening items from a new WHO update:
- “…the H1N1 pandemic virus has rapidly established itself and is now the dominant influenza strain in most parts of the world”
- ”Studies have detected no signs that the virus has mutated to a more virulent or lethal form.”
- “[The skew toward younger people being hit worst] is in stark contrast with seasonal influenza, where around 90% of severe and fatal cases occur in people 65 years of age or older.”
- “… clinicians from around the world are reporting a very severe form of disease, also in young and otherwise healthy people, which is rarely seen during seasonal influenza infections. In these patients, the virus directly infects the lung, causing severe respiratory failure.”
- “Some cities … report that nearly 15 percent of hospitalized cases have required intensive care.”
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