Cautious Optimism on Swine Flu

U.S. health officials said Sunday there was reason for cautious optimism regarding the swine flu outbreak. The number of confirmed cases continues to increase in the U.S. and to affect additional countries, but no new deaths have been reported outside of Mexico, and the outlook in Mexico appears less severe than was initially perceived.

Officials acknowledge that they are likely not "out of the woods yet." As of Sunday, the CDC's daily tally of cases of confirmed infection in the U.S. was 226 people — including 30 hospitalizations — in 30 states. "Virtually all of the United States probably has this virus circulating now," said Anne Schuchat, the CDC's interim deputy director for science and public health. Schuchat said she remained concerned about the potential course of the virus in the fall.

On Friday, the FDA issued an alert about websites promoting or selling fraudulent products to prevent, diagnose, or treat the new flu strain. The notice urges people to check with the FDA and CDC for information on approved treatments and other measures to use during this outbreak.
LINK(S):

CDC page on swine flu (Free)
WHO swine flu update (Free)
FDA alert on fraudulent swine flu products (Free)
Journal Watch Infectious Diseases summary (Free)
Friday's Physician's First Watch coverage of swine flu (Free)